Vinh Phuc province readies for Tay Thien festival

Tay Thien Site, one of the most favourite tourist attractions in Tam Dao district, Vinh Phuc province, has geared up for the 2014 Tay Thien festival, said Diep Xuan Tu, head of the Tay Thien Site management board.

Located 90 km from Tam Dao, Tay Thien Site is well-known with beautiful of forests, streams, waterfalls and grottoes.

The Tay Thien Festival on the 15th day of the second lunar month, which falls on March 15 this year, is expected to attract a wave of visitors.

Tu also said facilities at the site have been improved to serve the festival.

In recent weeks, the Tay Thien Site has welcomed tens of thousands of tourists every day and the number may double that amount during the festival, added Diep Xuan Tu.

Dang Thi Thu Trang, Deputy Director of the Lac Hong – Tay Thien Joint Stock Company, said tourists are attracted to Tam Dao in summer for its cool weather, while in spring, they come to pagodas and temples to satisfy their spiritual demands.

She added that this year, to serve tourists’ demand, her company has increased the capacity of its cable car line in the Tay Thien Site by over 30 percent from 2013. It has also added 10 electric buggies to its existing fleet of 20 vehicles, along with upgrading tourism facilities.

Meanwhile, Vinh Phuc province has also ordered authorised agencies and the board to step up managerial activities in order to ensure order and security for the festival, and diversify tourism products to draw more visitors to the Tay Thien Site.

The Tay Thien Festival opens at the Truc Lam (Bamboo Forest) Tay Thien Zen Monastery, which is considered one the most impressive and peaceful monasteries in Vietnam.

The festival is held annually to commemorate Mother Lang Thi Tieu, who made great contributions to national construction and defence as well as the country’s peace and prosperity during the era of Hung Kings.

Apart from the Tay Thien Monastery, she is also thought to be worshipped at 71 other temples and pagodas in the local area.

Vinh Phuc is home to several popular tourist destinations, including the Tay Thien Site, Tam Dao Resort, Tam Dao National Park and Dai Lai lake. It also owns bountiful tangible and intangible cultural values through 1,000 relics.