1. Introduction to Yen Tu Pagoda Tourism Tet 2026
On the peak of Yen Tu mountain, 1,068m high, this sacred pagoda complex is ready to welcome the spiritual journey at the beginning of the new year. Yen Tu Pagoda Tet stands out as a unique spiritual cultural symbol, attracting a large number of pilgrim tourists every spring.
The Yen Tu Pagoda Complex is a sacred spiritual pilgrimage site during the new year. (Source: Collection)
1.1. Geographical Location and Position on the Spiritual Tourism Map of Northern Vietnam
The Yen Tu Pagoda complex is located on Yen Tu Mountain in Uong Bi City, Quang Ninh Province, about 150 km northeast of the capital Hanoi. With its special geographical location amidst the Northeast mountains, Yen Tu plays a role as one of the important spiritual destinations in the Northern region. This relic site is recognized as a special national historical and cultural relic, one of the unmissable pilgrimage sites at the beginning of the year for domestic and international tourists.
1.2. History of Pagoda Construction and Role in Vietnamese Buddhism
The history of the Yen Tu Pagoda is closely linked to the establishment of the Truc Lam Yen Tu Zen sect in 1299 during the reign of King Tran Nhan Tong. After abdicating, Buddhist King Tran Nhan Tong chose Yen Tu Mountain as his place of practice under the Dharma name Huong Van Dai Dau Da, simultaneously founding a Zen sect with a distinct Vietnamese identity. The Truc Lam Zen lineage combined and unified previous sects such as Ty Ni Da Luu Chi, Vo Ngon Thong, and Thao Duong, harmonizing with the essence of national culture to create its unique mark. Consequently, Yen Tu is considered the origin of the Truc Lam Zen sect, greatly influencing the religious and spiritual life of the Vietnamese people.
1.3. Climate Characteristics and Timeless Spiritual Cultural Significance
As spring arrives, Yen Tu offers a peaceful atmosphere, characteristic of the Northeast mountains, with cool and pleasant weather, making it ideal for a pilgrimage at the beginning of the year. In the early morning, a light mist covers the mountain peaks, mingling with the distant temple bells, creating a tranquil space suitable for New Year pilgrimage activities. The spiritual cultural significance of Yen Tu Pagoda Tet endures through time thanks to the preservation of the Truc Lam Zen heritage, which was strongly revived from the 1970s by Most Venerable Thich Thanh Tu, continuing to spread its beautiful values to the present generation.
2. Ideal Time to Visit Yen Tu Pagoda During Tet
2.1. Timing and Main Activities
The Yen Tu Festival usually begins on the 10th day of the first lunar month and lasts until the end of the second lunar month, featuring many culturally rich activities. Highlights include solemn Buddhist ceremonies at the pagodas within the complex and traditional festival activities according to the annual plan. The peak tourist attraction typically falls between the 10th and 15th of the first lunar month, when the festive atmosphere is vibrant, drawing numerous pilgrims from all directions.
Tourists should choose the period from January to attend festivals and avoid crowds. (Source: Collected)
2.2. Tips for choosing a time to avoid crowds
To fully experience the festival atmosphere while remaining comfortable, tourists should consider choosing from the 9th to 10th of January or after the 15th of January. The period from the 9th of January to mid-February of the Lunar calendar is chosen by many tourists due to favorable weather, as the weather is favorable, flowers bloom, and many vibrant activities take place. The best times of day to go up the mountain are early morning from 6 AM to 9 AM or in the afternoon after 3 PM, when the scenery is most beautiful and the number of pilgrims is also smaller.
3. Guide to traveling to Yen Tu Pagoda during Tet
3.1. How to get there from Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, and surrounding provinces
Starting from Hanoi, you can choose a bus or a private car via the Hanoi – Ha Long expressway to reach Uong Bi, travel time is about 3-4 hours, cost from 200,000 to 400,000 VND per person. Additionally, high-quality limousine buses depart from My Dinh or Giap Bat bus stations to Quang Ninh, travel time is about 3 hours, ticket price from 300,000 to 500,000 VND, offering comfort for long journeys.
If departing from Ho Chi Minh City, the convenient option is to book a flight to Van Don Airport, flight time is about 2 hours with prices starting from 1,500,000 VND, then continue by shuttle bus to Uong Bi within 1 hour. Tourists from nearby provinces like Hai Phong, Ha Long can choose a bus or private car via National Highway 18, travel time is only about 1-2 hours.
Getting to Yen Tu is convenient by many means and cable car system. (Source: Collected)
3.2. Moving from Uong Bi city to Yen Tu relic area
From the center of Uong Bi, visitors follow route P.1 to the foot of Yen Tu mountain, a distance of 5 to 7 km. At the foot of the mountain, there is a spacious and safe parking lot, capable of serving a large number of vehicles during Tet. From here, you can use the electric car service or call a taxi to take you to Hoa Yen Pagoda, starting the traditional Buddhist pilgrimage.
3.3. Using cable cars and mountain roads to Yen Tu Pagoda during Tet
The cable car system at Yen Tu includes two main routes serving visitors. The first route connects the foot of the mountain with Hoa Yen Pagoda offering panoramic views of the Northeast region at an altitude of 600 m, each trip takes about 5 minutes, with a round-trip ticket price of 200,000 VND for adults. The second route goes from Hoa Yen to Dong Son at an altitude of 900 m, taking 8 minutes, with a ticket price of 200,000 VND. The advantage of the cable car is its fast travel, easy panoramic views of the mountains, however, waiting times can be longer on peak days.
If choosing the road, the mountain climbing distance from the foot of the mountain through the pagodas to the summit takes about 3-4 hours, suitable for those with good health who want to fully admire the natural scenery. Many visitors also choose to combine electric car rides for the initial part and continue hiking the final sections to save energy and enjoy the fresh mountain air.
4. Pilgrimage, visiting pagodas and notable structures at Yen Tu
4.1. Traditional Buddhist pilgrimage process at Yen Tu Pagoda during Tet
The Buddhist pilgrimage at Yen Tu Pagoda during Tet usually begins at Hoa Yen Pagoda with a solemn incense offering ceremony to the Triple Gem. Visitors respectfully light incense, pray before the altar of Emperor-Monk Tran Nhan Tong, wishing for a peaceful new year with much luck and prosperity. The pilgrimage process proceeds sequentially from bottom to top at the main altars: starting from Hoa Yen, passing Van Tieu, and finally reaching Dong Pagoda on the sacred peak. During the pilgrimage, you should maintain sincerity, choose modest and polite attire, and show respect for the spiritual space.
Journey to worship sacred pagodas from Hoa Yen to the peak of Chua Dong. (Source: Collected)
4.2. Notable pagodas in the Yen Tu complex during Tet
Hoa Yen Pagoda at an altitude of 516 m is the starting point of the journey, built during the Ly – Tran dynasties, and was once the center for spreading the Truc Lam Zen sect. This place still preserves many ancient Buddha statues and valuable stone steles from the Tran dynasty.
Chua Dong is a sacred symbol of Yen Tu , with a monolithic bronze tower located on the mountain peak at an altitude of 1,068 m. Standing on the pagoda's peak, you can gaze at the panoramic view of the Dong Bac region, and this is also where tourists often end their pilgrimage, traveling by cable car or walking the final stretch.
Chua Van Tieu is located at an altitude of 700 m, built during the Tran dynasty, and was once a place of practice for Truc Lam monks. Chua Mot Mai (An Ky Sinh) attracts visitors with its unique architecture featuring a single roof leaning against the mountain, serving as an important stop on the pilgrimage route. Thap To is related to the Am Ngoa Van relic site – where King Tran Nhan Tong passed away in 1308.
4.3. Other supporting structures and attractions
King Tran Nhan Tong Square is a vast space, hosting many festival activities during Tet Yen Tu . The An Ky Sinh Statue near Chua Mot Mai is a spiritual site sought by many for its efficacious legends. Additionally, the Yen Tu welcome gate and Giai Oan stream are ideal places for both worship and capturing memorable photos during your spring trip.
5. Experiences for sightseeing, entertainment, and relaxation during Tet at Yen Tu
5.1. Accommodation services, hotels, and homestays around Yen Tu
The Uong Bi area offers many accommodation options for visitors to the Tet Yen Tu Pagoda . 4-5 star hotels like Muong Thanh Luxury Yen Tu have prices during Tet ranging from 2,000,000 to 4,000,000 VND per night, providing full amenities and professional service quality. If you want to be close to nature, you can choose homestays at the foot of the mountain with prices ranging from 1,000,000 to 2,000,000 VND per night, enjoying beautiful mountain views and convenient access to the relic sites. Uong Bi also has the advantage of a central location, convenient for combining visits to Ha Long and many other famous tourist destinations in Quang Ninh province.
Enjoy comfortable resort services and special cuisine in the land of Buddha. (Source: Collected)
5.2. Special cuisine to try when visiting Yen Tu Pagoda during Tet
The cuisine at Yen Tu impresses visitors with traditional vegetarian dishes such as fragrant sticky rice cooked in bamboo tubes, fresh and sweet stir-fried wild vegetables, and cool and refreshing tofu stuffed with mushrooms. Additionally, local dishes like Uong Bi roasted pork with crispy skin and tender meat, or thin and smooth Quang Ninh rolled cakes served with fish cake are also very popular. Vegetarian restaurants in the Hoa Yen relic area offer a rich variety of light and delicate dishes, suitable for the peaceful and serene atmosphere at the pagoda entrance.
5.3. Suggested 1-day/2-day itinerary for visiting Yen Tu Pagoda during Tet
1-day itinerary : Depart from Uong Bi early in the morning, take the cable car to Hoa Yen, and perform Buddhist rituals at the main altars. At noon, enjoy a vegetarian meal at the pagoda. In the afternoon, continue visiting Van Tieu and Dong Pagoda , taking souvenir photos at prominent spots. Conclude the trip by descending the mountain and returning to the city in the evening.
2-day itinerary : The first day is dedicated to exploring Hoa Yen Pagoda and Van Tieu thoroughly, with an overnight stay in Uong Bi. The next day, continue the journey up to Mot Mai Pagoda and Dong Pagoda , visit Buddha King Square, and enjoy local cuisine before concluding the trip.
6. Suggested itinerary for combining tourism with attractions in Quang Ninh during Tet
It is entirely possible to combine a pilgrimage to Yen Tu with sightseeing activities in Ha Long Bay, experiencing a cruise, or having fun at Sun World Ha Long to enjoy a relaxing and diverse Tet holiday. Quang Ninh's tourism system allows visitors to nourish their souls at Yen Tu Tet while also having opportunities for entertainment at dynamic amusement spots.
Combine the Yen Tu pagoda festival and explore famous tourist attractions in Quang Ninh. (Source: Collected)
2-day itinerary : The first day involves traveling from Hanoi to Yen Tu , experiencing the cable car, and participating in all pagoda festival activities, overnighting in Uong Bi. The second day continues with a visit to Yen Tu in the morning, then traveling to Ha Long in the afternoon for a bay cruise on a yacht, and in the evening, you can freely explore Sun World Ha Long before returning.
3-day itinerary : The first day is dedicated to a complete journey from the foot of the mountain to the summit of Yen Tu pagoda . The next day is an opportunity to cruise on Ha Long Bay, admiring the impressive natural scenery. The last day is for enjoying the modern entertainment space at Sun World Ha Long , you can also return to Yen Tu if there is enough suitable time. The destinations are only about 1 hour's drive apart on National Highway 18, making it very convenient to connect experiences within the itinerary.
Yen Tu Pagoda Tet 2026 promises to bring a meaningful spiritual journey at the beginning of the year, perfectly combining traditional culture and modern experiences. Prepare your belongings and soul to receive the best things from the sacred Yen Tu mountain!