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This is the main reason why almost all of the major pagodas and temples around cities like Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City are overcrowded on these days. In the capital of Hanoi, residents usually flock to Phuc Khanh pagoda in Dong Da district, a major spiritual venue on this occasion. In order to attend a ceremony held at the pagoda, worshippers normally arrive from dawn. The pagoda’s campus is crowded several hours before the start of the ceremony. According to a local resident, he attends the prayer ceremony every year in order to wish for peace for his family. The ceremony this year is less crowded compared to previous as it is scheduled to last for several days instead of just one day as usual. Crowds gather as they wish for peace and luck in the lunar New Year. Police are mobilised to ensure order is maintained at the ceremony. Security forces are also deployed...

Boiled chicken with roses in their beaks are among the most popular offerings for the majority of rituals in the northern region. Banh Chung, square sticky rice cake, and Xoi, sticky rice, sell well ahead of the First Full Moon Festival. A plate of Xoi typically costs around VND30,000 to VND50,000. Elsewhere, the prices of Banh Chung hover from VND50,000 to VND60,000 each. Trầu, betel and areca nut, is one of the items used by locals as they prepare to worship their ancestors on this occasion. Fruits and flowers are an indispensable piece of the altar for the Nguyen Tieu festival. People are busy shopping as they prepare for a feast, as well as buying paper offerings, flowers, and fresh fruits to put up on the family’s altars. Paper offerings are another item which proves popular among customers. The post Hanoi markets packed ahead of First Full Moon Festival appeared first on Vietexplorer.co...