Temple of Saint Giong bustling with people offering incense to pray for peace

In the early spring days, crowds from all over excitedly flock to Thanh Giong Temple (Soc Son commune, Hanoi City) to offer incense and pray for a peaceful and favorable new year. The worshiping atmosphere is solemn but still bustling with spring colors, creating a vivid picture of the spiritual life of Vietnamese people every Tet and spring.

From early morning, groups of people stretched along the road leading to the relic site. In their hands were simple trays of offerings including: incense, flowers, cakes, betel and areca... Many families brought young children and elderly people, both enjoying the spring scenery and sincerely offering incense to commemorate the merits of Saint Giong - the hero of Phu Dong village who contributed to driving out the An invaders according to folk legends.

According to reporters' records on the morning of February 19 (ie, the 3rd day of Tet), the number of visitors this year increased compared to normal days. The relic site management board has arranged forces to guide and divert traffic, reminding people to practice a civilized lifestyle in places of worship. Service stalls around the area are also neatly arranged, limiting the situation of touting and raising prices.

Ms. Do Thi Sau (Da Phuc commune, Hanoi City) shared that every year her family goes to Giong Temple at the beginning of the year. Not only to pray for fortune but more importantly to pray for health and peace for the whole family.

After a year of hard work, being able to go to the festival together, I feel relieved and have more motivation for a new journey," Ms. Do Thi Sau said happily.

And Mr. Nguyen Van Huy (Hanoi City) said that he took advantage of the Tet holiday to take his parents and children to offer incense at Giong Temple. According to Mr. Huy, the elderly in his family especially value going to temples at the beginning of the year. For him, this is not only a spiritual ritual but also a cultural activity that has been deeply ingrained in the subconscious of many generations.

Mr. Huy added that the beginning of spring is the time when everyone temporarily puts aside the hustle and bustle of work to focus on spiritual life. "My parents believe that in the new year, they must go to temples to pray for peace and health for the whole family. Children and grandchildren are numerous, together lighting incense with respect is also a great joy for grandparents," Mr. Huy said.

According to him, bringing children and grandchildren to go to the festival is a way to educate tradition in a natural and close way. In the sacred space of worshiping Saint Giong, family members have the opportunity to recall stories about the national hero who drove out the An invaders, about the indomitable spirit and patriotism of his ancestors.

Not only the people of the Capital, but also many tourists from neighboring provinces come here with a respectful attitude.

Going to temples at the beginning of the year has become a long-standing cultural beauty of Vietnamese people. Although modern life has changed a lot, the need to return to the roots, towards spiritual values is still present. For many people, pilgrimage to Giong Temple at the beginning of spring is not only a spiritual ritual, but also a sending wish for a new year of peace, happiness and fullness.