Yen Tu Festival 2026: Crowds flock to pray for a peaceful and prosperous year

1 An overview of the 2026 Yen Tu Spring Festival

The opening ceremony of the 2026 Yen Tu Spring Festival will take place on the 10th day of the first lunar month in the Year of the Horse (February 26, 2026) at Truc Lam Palace, in the Yen Tu Historical and Scenic Site. This is the first festival season since the Yen Tu–Vinh Nghiem–Con Son, Kiep Bac Complex of Monuments and Landscapes was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in July 2025.

1.1 When the annual Yen Tu Festival takes place

The Yen Tu Festival takes place over the three months of spring, from the 10th day of the first lunar month through the end of the third lunar month. Rooted in spiritual beliefs and deep gratitude, the festival attracts thousands of Buddhists, pilgrims, and visitors from all over the country, who come to pray for a peaceful new year and good fortune in all things.

1.2 The origins of the Yen Tu Festival

Yen Tu Mountain is located in Thuong Yen Cong Commune, about 14km from the center of Uong Bi Town. This historical site comprises pagodas, towers, hermitages, Buddha statues, and the majestic mountain scenery. Before it became known as Yen Tu, the mountain was also called Elephant Mountain because its shape resembles a giant elephant standing tall among the mountains. The area is shrouded in white clouds throughout the year, which sometimes obscure the pagodas; its soaring towers nestle among the forests and streams. For this reason, Vietnamese royal dynasties ranked Yen Tu among the country's “famous mountains.”

Yen Tu Pagoda is considered the birthplace of Vietnamese Buddhism during the Dai Viet era. After giving up the throne, King Tran Nhan Tong came here to practice Buddhism and founded the Truc Lam Zen school, a distinctive Vietnamese Buddhist tradition. Therefore, at the beginning of each spring, Yen Tu Pagoda comes alive with a festival honoring the merits of the Buddha Emperor Tran Nhan Tong. The Yen Tu Spring Festival celebrates Buddhism's engagement with the world, embodying a harmonious blend of spiritual and everyday life in Vietnamese Buddhism. It is also the largest early-spring festival in Quang Ninh, running for the first three months of the year and welcoming visitors from Vietnam and abroad.

Read more: Explore the historic Yen Tu monument complex

2 Discover the unique activities at the 2026 Yen Tu Spring Festival

According to the Organizing Committee, this year's opening ceremony has been carefully planned and expanded in scale, vividly recreating the traditional spring festival atmosphere of generations past.

In particular, admission to Yen Tu is free throughout this festival season and until December 31, 2028 (cable car tickets are not included). This gesture reflects appreciation for the community and encourages people to continue supporting efforts to preserve and promote the heritage's values.

2.1 Opening ceremony

The program opens with a solemn palanquin procession carried out by local residents, creating a sacred and reverent atmosphere. Following the opening remarks, the Executive Board of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha in Quang Ninh Province holds a New Year blessing ceremony, offering prayers for peace, good fortune, and prosperity for every household.

The most eagerly anticipated highlight is the beating of drums and ringing of bells, whose resounding tones announce the official start of the Yen Tu Spring Festival. This is followed by spiritual rites, including incense offerings to pray for national peace and prosperity, and the ritual stamping of the sacred Yen Tu seal. These ceremonies have become a familiar cultural tradition each spring, closely tied to the spiritual lives of local people.

2.2 Activities after the ceremony

After the ceremony, delegates, Buddhists, and visitors set off on a mountain hike to pay their respects at the ancient pagodas, hermitages, and towers scattered across the majestic highlands. It is not just a physical journey, but also a chance to rediscover inner peace at the birthplace of Vietnamese Buddhism.

Alongside the solemn atmosphere, Minh Tam Square buzzes with activity. Lively dragon and lion dances, traditional music performances, folk games, and opportunities to explore the cuisine of the Dao Thanh Y people bring a fresh vibrancy to the festival. This is a place where the community can meet and connect, allowing everyone to make a pilgrimage and pay their respects while enjoying cultural and spiritual experiences in the early days of the year.

As part of the festival, a special exhibition on Truc Lam Yen Tu Buddhism will run from February 25 to March 4. The exhibition features artifacts from the Tran Dynasty, along with valuable documents, photographs, and objects related to the Truc Lam Zen school. An OCOP fair and regional food festival will also bring together more than 100 stalls showcasing distinctive handicrafts and the culinary specialties of Quang Ninh and many other provinces and cities.

In addition, the “Yen Tu – Source of Wisdom” meditation retreat will be held from February 24 to 26 for around 3,000 participants, providing an opportunity for in-depth study and contemplation. From February 10 to 24, visitors can also enjoy the “Heritage Spring – Tet at Lang Nuong” program, featuring activities such as horse parades, dragon and lion dances, traditional martial arts performances, folk arts, traditional games, and workshops making peach and apricot blossoms from craft materials.

On March 7 (the 19th day of the first lunar month), a large-scale artistic program for an audience of 10,000 will be held and broadcast live on QTV1 and QTV3. The carefully staged program blends tradition and modernity, combining thought-provoking themes with contemporary performance. Through music, dance, theater, and lighting and visual technologies, the production recounts the history and philosophy of the Truc Lam Zen school, affirming Yen Tu's place as a spiritual symbol of the nation and a World Heritage site of outstanding universal value.z

Along the route up Yen Tu Mountain, there are more than 11 pagodas and dozens of hermitages and towers. One highlight is a three-story stone tower, built in 1758 and the oldest of its kind. You can also visit Giai Oan Stream at Giai Oan Pagoda, a place linked to stories of hundreds of royal concubines who once drowned themselves in its waters to express their devotion to King Tran Nhan Tong… You can then visit To Tower, Hoa Yen Pagoda, Mot Mai Pagoda, and other distinctive temples.

Today, getting up Yen Tu Mountain is no longer a challenge, as you can choose to hike or take the cable car. The cable car makes the journey easier and significantly reduces travel time. However, hiking remains the most popular option, as it offers more memorable experiences and challenges, especially during the early-spring festival season.

Your hike may take three challenging, strenuous hours, serving as a test of faith and devotion to the Buddha. The reward for your efforts is the moment you stand atop the vast mountain. Before the sacred Dong Pagoda, appearing through the hazy mist, you may feel as fulfilled as if you had reached the realm of the Buddha. From the summit, in an atmosphere suffused with spirituality, you can gaze far into the distance and admire the majestic, magnificent scenery of the Ha Long region. This is accompanied by a swell of pride and joy at overcoming challenges and conquering a spiritual “test.”

3 Essential tips for attending the Yen Tu Festival

To make your spring outing to the Yen Tu Festival a memorable one, be sure to save these useful tips from MIA.vn.

- First, choose modest, respectful clothing, as Yen Tu is a sacred place. Tight-fitting outfits are also not particularly suitable: they may be inappropriate in crowded areas and, more importantly, make it difficult to get around. The route is more than 6km long and includes steep stone steps, so don't forget to wear a suitable pair of sneakers.

- A long journey can easily leave you tired, so remember to bring drinking water and a walking stick. And don't forget your phone, so you can take a break and check in along the way.

The Yen Tu Festival offers not only a spiritual experience at a place steeped in history, but also wonderful moments surrounded by nature, along with opportunities to explore and enjoy activities that showcase traditional culture and offer a challenge. Pack your bags and head to Ha Long to enjoy a truly peaceful start to the year.