Attracting thousands of pilgrims and guests annually, Yen Tu Festival 2025 is among the most important spiritual events held in Vietnam. Celebrated from the first to the third lunar months on the hallowed Yen Tu Mountain, the festival provides a close relationship between people, environment, and spirituality.
Often referred to as the "Buddhist capital of Vietnam", this famous celebration has a lot of events including guided tours of the Yen Tu relic complex, the grand opening ceremony, and Buddhist rites for peace.
Along the pilgrimage path, you can explore historic temples, engage in customary prayers, and savor the amazing landscape.
Yen Tu Festival is the perfect place for people looking for peace and a better knowledge of Vietnamese history given its packed calendar of cultural and religious events. This festival promises an amazing experience full of meaning and peace regardless of your interests.
Introduce about Yen Tu Festival
About 120 kilometers from Hanoi, Quang Ninh Province is situated in Yen Tu Mountain - Thuong Yen Cong commune, Uong Bi, Quang Ninh. Considered the cradle of Vietnamese Buddhism, this area has great historical and spiritual value.
Top destination for spiritual tourism in Vietnam, the mountain is part of a greater complex with historic pagodas, Buddhist relics, and unspoiled natural settings.
Yen Tu Mountain
Deeply anchored in Vietnam's rich history, Yen Tu Festival began in the 13th century under the Tran Dynasty. King Tran Nhan Tong abdicated his kingdom and committed his life to Buddhism, forming the Truc Lam Zen sect.
His teaching center was Yen Tu Mountain, Quang Ninh province whose calm beauty and spiritual vitality spoke to him. This location has evolved over ages to be associated with faith, enlightenment, and cultural legacy.
Yen Tu spiritual celebration captures Vietnamese Buddhist core. The pilgrimage itself represents a spiritual trip meant to help each person realize their inner serenity and self.
Beginning at Yen Tu Mountain's base, pilgrims climb through verdant forests, stop at revered pagodas, and finally reach Dong Pagoda, which is positioned atop.
Rising 1,068 meters, this pagoda is not only a spiritual site but also a stunning vantage point with panoramic views of the surroundings.
Climbing the mountain has great significance for the people. It shows their will to overcome both physical and psychological personal obstacles. For many, this road is a means of spiritual purification, blessings seeking, and peace among the daily grind.
This is the reason Vietnamese people's hearts as well as those of guests really treasure the Yen Tu Buddhist spring festival.
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Early morning at Yen Tu peak
When is Yen Tu Pagoda Festival held?
Beginning on the 10th day of the first lunar month in 2025, the celebration falls on Gregorian calendar late January or early February. It lasts three months, among the longest ongoing spiritual celebrations in Vietnam.
You have several choices and Yen Tu Mountain is really easy to reach. From Hanoi, you can rent a car in Hanoi to Quang Ninh from Vietnam Budget Car Rental or bus straight to Uong Bi City, the entry to Yen Tu spiritual festival.
The closest station for those heading by train is Uong Bi, from which local transportation and taxis can get one to the foot of the mountains.
Arriving at Noi Bai International Airport in Hanoi and then linking to Quang Ninh is the most practical path for foreign guests.
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Gate of Truc Lam Yen Tu
Events and activities at Yen Tu Festival
Officially starting on the tenth day of the first lunar month, the Yen Tu Festival 2025 marks the beginning of a colourful spiritual season. Featuring rich Buddhist rites, chanting, and offerings, this gathering is a wonderful mix of custom and dedication.
Gathering thousands of monks, pilgrims, and guests to see the holy opening procession, which stands for the harmony between heaven and earth, are the occasion gains a celebratory mood with traditional performances including Vietnamese folk music and lion dances.
Therefore transforming the event and creating unforgettable memories for every guest.
The core of the celebration is the trip to Yen Tu Mountain's top. Covering more than 6 kilometers, the path is a spiritual as much as a physical one.
Beginning their climb at the Giai Oan Stream, you can stop at holy places including Hoa Yen Pagoda, Van Tieu Pagoda, and eventually Dong Pagoda at the top.
For those who enjoy the natural world, the path provides amazing vistas of mist-covered hills and verdant forests, rewarding the journey. For spiritual seekers, it is equally so. Seeking blessings for health, happiness, and riches, pilgrims burn incense and pray along the path.
Perched at 1,068 meters above sea level, the climb to Dong Pagoda marks conquering of obstacles and attaining enlightenment.
Dong Pagoda
Additionally honoring Vietnamese culture is Yen Tu spiritual ceremony. You may take in traditional events highlighting the creative legacy of the area throughout the festival. From folk songs and dances to theatrical reenactments of historical events, these presentations vividly capture the rich legacy of Yen Tu Mountain festival.
Local artists show their works, which range from Buddhist relics to hand-carved wooden sculptures and embroidered linens. Food vendors fill the festival grounds offering real Quang Ninh cuisine such grilled squid patties and bánh đúc, or steamed rice cakes.
The Yen Tu Festival's spiritual basis is Buddhist rites. Monks and followers assemble at several pagodas for daily ceremonies where they chant sutras, contemplate, and give prayers.
Important ceremonies comprise the lighting of incense, presents of fruits and flowers, and symbolic sacrifices to respect ancestors and gods.
Planning your trip
1. Accommodation
Selecting the correct lodging is vital for a happy and stress-free Yen Tu Festival 2025 experience. Yen Tu Mountain's surrounds present a variety of hotel choices to appeal to both budget and luxury seekers.
If you would want a more pleasant stay, look at the resorts close to Uong Bi City, which usually offer shuttle services to the festival grounds and modern conveniences. For a more frugal option, nearby guesthouses and hostels are rather good.
It is strongly advised to book ahead since the biggest celebrations in Northern Vietnam draw a lot of people and hotels usually fill up rapidly during this period.
2. Local cuisine
Without savoring the native cuisine, no visit to the Yen Tu Festival in Quang Ninh is whole. Fresh and delicious cuisine from the area, which captures its cultural character, is well-known. Among the must-try objects are:
- Cha Muc Ha Long
- Gat Gu cake
- Herbal teas
- ....
3. What should you pack?
- Weather-appropriate clothing: The festival takes place during the spring, but temperatures can vary, especially at higher altitudes. Pack layers, including a lightweight jacket.
- Comfortable shoes: The trails to Yen Tu Mountain festival involve significant hiking, so sturdy, non-slip footwear is a must.
- Reusable water bottles and snacks: Many stalls along the way offer refreshments, but having your own supplies is convenient and eco-friendly.
- Modest and respectful attire: When visiting temples and pagodas, wearing appropriate clothing is crucial. Opt for long-sleeved tops, trousers, or skirts below the knee. Avoid sleeveless shirts, shorts, or revealing outfits to show respect for the sacred environment.
Check in Yen Tu holy peak
Careful planning guarantees that you will be able to completely experience the Yen Tu pilgrimage by means of the comfort and convenience required, therefore enabling you to immerse yourself in its attractions.
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