Representatives from Hanoi-based tour companies said despite a 20 percent increase in ticket price for these tours, the number of registered tourists continues to grow by up to 15 percent in some cases compared to the same period last year. In recent years, these tours have attracted the participation of not only women and old people but also young people and entrepreneurs. Many people said they want to go to pagoda to take part in traditional festivals and pray for blessings on the occasion of the New Year. This is a new way for them to relax, giving fresh impetus to grasping new opportunities in the New Year.

Apart from providing tourists with diverse choices, tour companies have also offered many foreign tours. Companies such as Saigontourist, Fiditourist, Ben Thanh have also benefited from many pilgrimage tours. In the north, apart from exploring famous pagodas and temples, visitors also have had the opportunity to participate in many traditional festivals which annually take place. An attractive destination in the north for tourists is Yen Tu Mountain (called Bach Van Son) which consists of 11 pagodas, hundreds of small temples and towers featuring more than 20 different kinds of ancient architecture. In addition, traditional villages in the north have also attracted many visitors with unique spring festivals imbued with Vietnamese cultural characteristics.

Before the opening day of the festival, the relics of Yen Tu have welcomed thousands of pilgrims and tourists.

Currently, the Perfume Pagoda receives thousands of visitors and pilgrims every day, doubling the figure against the same period last year. Le Van Sang, head of the organizing board of the Perfume Pagoda festival said on the opening day of the festival this year, the Perfume Pagoda welcomed 9, 800 visitors. He predicts that around 40,000 visitors from every corners of the country will flock to the festival.

To meet the visitors’ demand, this year, the organising board has provided around 3,600 boats and ferries. More than 500 local residents living in Huong Son commune will receive a training course on preparations for visitors during the 2008 festival.

However, there remain some negative phenomena such as stealing, gambling, excessive ferry fees, and crowd surges, which have caused difficulties for visitors who have participated in Perfume Pagoda festival. These shortcomings should be overcome by localities to ensure a good impression made on visitors, said the tour companies.

India and Nepal are also attractive destinations for visitors. Notably, tours to India have featured visits to many beautiful holy sites. In addition, tour companies often organize tours to Thailand and Nanning, China. For example, Vietran Tour has received 400 visitors to register for tours to Thailand in February at a price of US$198 each person for four days. Visitors will have the chance to visit the Temple of Emerald pagoda and Gold Pagoda in the capital city of Bangkok. However, the number of tourists registering for tours to China has reduced sharply due to the adverse weather. 

Doan Thanh Tra, deputy head of the marketing department of Saigontourist said following the Lunar New Year festival, the company organised a tour to the US for 11 days. Before arriving in the US, visitors will had the chance to visit Japan for a day with to learn more about the history and cultural heritage of Japanese people.

In response to a reporter from VOVNews, representatives from tour companies said people’s living standards improve, their interest in pilgrimage has increased in the early days of the New Year. Many visitors including entrepreneurs have gone on pilgrimage to pray for good luck in the New Year.