PANO – Yen Tu Festival 2016 was officially kicked off in Uong Bi district, Quang Ninh province, on the 10th day of the first lunar month or February 17th in the presence of Vice President Nguyen Thi Doan and Most Venerable Thich Thien Nhon, Chairman of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha Executive Council.

This year’s event, ending on the tenth day of the third lunar month, is expected to welcome tens of thousands of visitors. According to the relic’s management board, as of February 16th, the place has welcomed more than 260,000 pilgrims.

A performance at the opening ceremony of the festival

According to Chairman of the People’s Committee of Uong Bi City Nguyen Anh Tu, to ensure security, order, and smooth traffic during the festival, forces have been deployed to the T-Junction near Trinh Pagoda, Suoi Tam Pagoda, and the bus station near Giai Oan Pagoda. The organizers also issued regulations to end small-change services at the festival as well as rules for festival-goers to contribute to promoting the culture while taking part in the festival.

Medical and rescue forces are ready to deal with emergency circumstances.

The Yen Tu cultural and historical relic complex is considered one of Vietnam's Buddhist hubs. More than 700 years ago, after defeating the Mongols, King Tran Nhan Tong abdicated his throne to come to Yen Tu where he founded the Truc Lam Yen Tu-a Vietnamese Zen Buddhism.

Translated by Son Ca