According to custom, the Perfume Pagoda Festival will take place from the 6th day of the first lunar month to the end of the 3rd lunar month, attracting a large number of tourists and Buddhists from all over. This year, the festival season starts from February 18 and lasts until May 11 (ie from the 2nd day of the first lunar month to the 25th day of the 3rd year of Binh Ngo). In which, the opening ceremony is held on February 22 (the 6th day of the first lunar month).
However, on February 21 (the 5th day of Tet), the number of visitors flocking to Perfume Pagoda to attend the festival was very large. Especially, at the cable car entrance, the road to Huong Tich cave, tens of thousands of people lined up, jostling, causing prolonged traffic jams.
According to representatives of Huong Son Commune People's Committee, the total number of visitors to Huong Pagoda from the 1st day of Tet to the 5th day of Tet was 135,895, an increase of 37,561 (138%) compared to the same period last year. On the 5th day of Tet alone, there were 51,190 visitors to visit and worship Huong Pagoda.
According to Lao Dong's records, in the late afternoon of the 5th day of Tet, the number of people passing through the ferry wharf, Yen stream, and Den Trinh area was very large. Many tourists came to offer incense, worship, and board boats to Thien Tru wharf and Huong Tich cave at night.
Ms. Tran Thi Hau (37 years old, Hai Duong) said: "This year, my family chose to worship Huong Pagoda and go to Huong Tich cave in the evening to avoid the crowded situation on the main festival day. However, because it is still a holiday, and tomorrow is the weekend, the number of visitors flocking in is higher than every year. My family has to queue for quite a long time to get on the cable car to Huong Tich cave.
According to local people, the distance from Thien Tru wharf to Huong Tich cave takes about an hour to an hour and a half if walking, while traveling by cable car only takes 5-7 minutes.
This year, this year's organizational work is implemented synchronously, focusing from ticket control, vehicle regulation, parking lot management to upgrading technical infrastructure, with the goal of ensuring safety, order and festival civilization.
Transportation activities on Yen stream are strictly managed. Huong Pagoda Tourism Service Cooperative coordinates with functional forces to register and inspect vehicles in accordance with regulations. There are a total of 1,033 traditional boats, 2,636 boats and 6 electric boats serving operation.
All vehicles are equipped with life jackets, seats, floating devices, trash cans, boat numbers and QR codes to receive feedback. Boat drivers wear identification jackets, wear cards, are professionally trained and sign commitments to serve civilized manners; wages are paid through bank accounts to ensure publicity and transparency.
The work of ensuring security and order, traffic safety, fire prevention and fighting, and rescue and relief is maintained regularly throughout the festival season.
This year, the Organizing Committee also deployed electronic ticket sales, QR code control, installed a camera system applying artificial intelligence and operated an operating center, contributing to improving management efficiency, increasing transparency and promptly handling situations arising during the festival season.
