On January 21, in the northern province of Quang Ninh, Uong Bi city People's Committee held a press briefing on the programme on recognising Yen Tu historical site as a Special National Relic and the 2013 Yen Tu Spring Festival 2013.
Accordingly, Yen Tu spring festival will open on February 18 (the ninth day of the first lunar month). A ceremony to receive to receive the certificate from the Prime Minister recognising Yen Tu historical site as a Special National Relic will be held on the same day, and will be broadcast live on Vietnam Television. It is expect to attract about 10,000 tourists.
The annual Yen Tu Spring Festival consists of a wide variety of religious activities, including sounding the drum, striking the bell and a ceremony to offer incense and pray for a peaceful country and prosperous people.
The event will contribute significantly to preserving and promoting the values of historical sites in Vietnam in general and in Quang Ninh province in particular.
Yen Tu mountain is located about 50km from Ha Long City. The pilgrimage route, winding from the foot of the mountain to its highest peak, is almost 30km. Dong Pagoda, which sits atop the mountain peak, is more than a kilometre above sea level.
The area's beautiful natural landscape and awe-inspiring scenery, along with surrounding ancient pagodas and hermitages, are said to have been the reason that King Tran Nhan Tong passed the throne to his son, so that he could devote his life living as a Buddhist monk at Yen Tu Mountain. Whilst there, he founded the Truc Lam Zen Buddhist sect, which has led to Yen Tu being recognized as the country's leading centre for Buddhism.
On September 27, 2012, Yen Tu was listed as a special national relic.