Yen Tu Festival

Lễ hội Yên Tử

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Religious & SpiritualUong Bi
DatesDates TBACheck locally before booking
DurationAnnualEstimate from available data
Crowd-Public scale varies
Best forCeremony, pilgrimageYen Tu holds a unique place in Vietnamese
LanguageLocal language; English access variesCurrency: VND
CategoryReligious & SpiritualFestival type
The story

Yen Tu Festival in Uong Bi

Yen Tu Festival is a three-month Buddhist pilgrimage held in the Yen Tu mountains of Quang Ninh province, near Uong Bi, running from the first day of the lunar new year through the end of the third lunar month. Pilgrims travel to Dong Pagoda and the surrounding complex founded by 13th-century King-Monk Tran Nhan Tong, who established Vietnam's first native school of Zen Buddhism there.

Yen Tu Festival runs for three full months each year, from the first day of the lunar calendar through the end of the third lunar month, making it one of the longest-running religious festivals in Vietnam.
Your trip starts here
What is special

The part that makes it specific.

01

The place changes

Yen Tu holds a unique place in Vietnamese Buddhism as the birthplace of Truc Lam, the country's own indigenous school of Zen Buddhism, founded in the 13th century by Tran Nhan Tong, a Vietnamese king who abdicated the throne to become a monk and built the Yen Tu complex into a major spiritual center now containing eleven pagodas and countless shrines

02

The mystery stays covered

Unlike many festivals compressed into a single day or week, Yen Tu's festival spans a full three months, from the first day of the lunar calendar to the end of the third month, allowing what organizers describe as Vietnam's Zen Buddhist community to converge gradually rather than all at once, easing the pressure of pilgrimage travel across the mountainous terrain leading to Dong Pagoda at the complex's summit

Traditions & symbols

The language of the festival.

What moves first

Living ritual

Yen Tu is the founding site of Truc Lam Zen Buddhism

Water and renewal

Living ritual

Vietnam's own indigenous school of Buddhist practice established by King-Monk Tran Nhan Tong in the 13th century after he abdicated the throne

The sacred route

Living ritual

the festival's solemn processions

The local code

Living ritual

prayers and rites continue practices rooted directly in that royal-turned-monastic founding story

Before you go

Essential information

When to go

Dates TBA

Getting around

For Yen Tu Festival, plan transport around the exact Uong Bi venue, route or gathering point rather than the city name alone.

What to wear

Modest clothing covering shoulders and knees is expected at this active Buddhist pilgrimage site; sturdy hiking shoes are essential for the mountain terrain and stone paths leading up to...

Safety

Watch local behavior before photographing, filming, or entering sacred spaces.

Where to stay

For Yen Tu Festival, stay near the part of Uong Bi you will actually use, with reliable return transport.

Tickets/cost

Public ritual moments are often free, but donations, transport, or temple access may vary.

Language/currency

VND

Family friendly

unknown

Interactive map21.03 N, 106.77 EOpen in Google Maps

Uong Bi, Quang Ninh, Vietnam

Nearest airportHPH — Cat Bi
TransportFor Yen Tu Festival, plan transport around the exact Uong Bi venue, route or gathering point rather than the city name alone.
Stay areaFor Yen Tu Festival, stay near the part of Uong Bi you will actually use, with reliable return transport.

Your Trip Starts Here

External travel services to turn the plan into a trip — each opens in a new tab.

How to get thereRoutes, times and prices to Uong Bi via local transport.Search routesFind a place to stayStays near Uong Bi, close enough for the event-day route.Browse staysFind flightsCompare fares into the nearest practical airport for festival season.Compare faresFestival gearModest clothing covering shoulders and knees is expected at this active Buddhist pilgrimage site; sturdy hiking shoes are essential for the mountain terrain and stone paths leading up to Dong Pagoda, and warm layers are useful given Yen Tu's elevation and Quang Ninh's cooler early-year weather.Shop the kitCheck visa requirementsSee whether you need a visa for Vietnam and apply online.Check entry rulesTravel insuranceCover for trip hiccups, gear and health on the road.Get covered

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FAQ

Quick answers.

When is Yen Tu Festival?

Yen Tu Festival is listed for Multiple months. Always re-check the official or local source close to travel.

Where does Yen Tu Festival take place?

The festival is listed in Uong Bi, Vietnam. The map coordinate is a planning reference, not a guarantee of a ticket gate or exact venue.

How long should I plan for?

Annual is the listed festival span. Add time for arrival, local transport, queues, and any route changes during the event.

Is a source linked?

Official source linked. Eventisimus separates source confidence from travel suggestions, so check final details before booking.

Where exactly is it?

Uong Bi, Quang Ninh, Vietnam

Is it family friendly?

unknown

Sources and editorial review

About this guide

This guide is independently written by Eventisimus using publicly available information, official event and organiser sources where available, local tourism references, and additional editorial research. Eventisimus is not the official organiser of this festival and is not affiliated with it unless explicitly stated.

Festival dates, schedules, ticket conditions, access rules, and local arrangements can change. We aim to present useful and accurate information, but travelers should confirm important details with the official event source before booking transport, accommodation, or tickets.

Found something inaccurate or outdated? Email hello@eventisimus.com with the festival page link and the correction.

Official URLvietnam.vn
Organizer accessAre you the organizer? Claim this listing →
SourceSource link available
Listed datesDates TBA
Source statusOfficial source linked
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