According to Lao Dong reporters, since this morning, February 2 (the 5th day of the Lunar New Year of At Ty), tens of thousands of tourists from all over the country and local people have flocked to visit, worship, and join in the activities at Keo Pagoda Festival (Duy Nhat Commune, Vu Thu District, Thai Binh Province) Spring 2025.
Previously, the festival officially opened on February 1 (the 4th day of the Lunar New Year) with a series of traditional rituals.
This is the next year that the People's Committee of Vu Thu district organizes the Keo Pagoda Spring Festival lasting from the 4th to the 8th of the Lunar New Year, instead of just organizing it on the 4th day like many previous years.
On the second day of the festival, tens of thousands of people from all over the country flocked to the Keo Pagoda National Special Relic Site to worship Buddha, sightsee, and participate in activities arranged and organized by the festival organizers.
Talking to Lao Dong reporter, Mr. Nguyen Hoa Binh (35 years old, from Hai Phong) said that although the road is far away, almost every year at the beginning of the year, his family arranges work and time to go to Thai Binh to attend, burn incense and perform rituals at Keo Pagoda festival - an ancient pagoda with many unique, distinct, and sacred architectures.
"Previously, my family went to Keo Pagoda on the 4th day of Tet. In recent years, we went on the 5th or 6th day because the festival was held for a longer period of time. This year, the weather was very favorable, not too cold, not too rainy, so from early morning, I drove my family to Keo Pagoda and planned to visit, worship at the pagoda, and enjoy the festival until late afternoon before returning home. There are many places to worship and travel at the beginning of the new year, but every time we come to Keo Pagoda, we feel the bustling yet solemn atmosphere, the extremely peaceful and quiet space here.
Today, our group of more than 10 people participated in most of the activities held at the festival. Among them, the children were especially interested and impressed with the custom of writing the first words of spring, asking for calligraphy at the festival, praying for a smooth new year, everything going smoothly, and studying and taking exams as desired," said Mr. Binh.
On the second day of the Keo Pagoda Spring Festival 2025, the most prominent and unique activity is the spring writing and calligraphy ceremony.
Legend has it that the custom of writing and asking for calligraphy at the beginning of spring began to appear around the 13th century, associated with the image of teacher Chu Van An, an upright person who had passed high exams but did not become an official but instead opened a school to teach and teach.
At today's program, delegates, students and visitors listened to Venerable Thich Thanh Quang - abbot of Keo Pagoda share the origin and meaning of the spring writing activity.
Next, 200 students from Duy Nhat Secondary School, along with officials from the District Cultural and Sports Center and the Cheo Club in Vu Thu District, performed a special art program and participated in the "Nam Thien Thanh To/Ly Trieu Quoc Su" (literally "Holy Father of the Southern Sky") activity.
In recognition of the studious spirit and excellent achievements of students in the district in the past school year, at the opening ceremony of the year, the leaders of the District Party Committee - People's Council - People's Committee of Vu Thu district awarded prizes to 44 students with high achievements in the provincial excellent student selection exam.
18 disadvantaged students in Duy Nhat commune were also given meaningful gifts, encouraging them to strive to overcome difficulties and excel in their studies.
Keo Pagoda, whose Chinese name is Than Quang Tu, is located in Keo village, Duy Nhat commune (Vu Thu district, Thai Binh province). Over the past 400 years, Keo Pagoda has undergone many restorations and renovations, but it still retains its original unique architecture from the Le Trung Hung period (17th century). In 2012, Keo Pagoda was recognized as a special national monument. In 2017, Keo Pagoda festival was recognized as a national intangible cultural heritage. In 2021, Keo Pagoda's altar was recognized as a national treasure.
