The grounds of Tac Say church, which marks the life of Father Truong Buu Diep and is located along national highway 1, were bustling with people and vehicles this afternoon.

The mass is expected to draw over 70,000 attendees. This marks the first time in nearly 500 years since Catholicism arrived in Vietnam that a beatification ceremony is being held in Vietnam instead of at the Vatican.

Since yesterday afternoon, preparations for the ceremony have been completed, encompassing six main areas located opposite Tac Say church in Phong Thanh commune.

Approximately 4 km along national highway 1, the section near the church was congested with vehicles. Traffic police and the church's Catholic security team continuously directed people and vehicles to keep moving.

Parking lots around the church were completely full, with no space remaining. Numerous guesthouses and hotels in the area were also fully booked.

The grounds around the church, where temporary shelters were set up for pilgrims to rest, were always crowded with visitors. Stalls were also overwhelmed and full.

Thousands of people converged on Tac Say church ahead of the beatification ceremony.

The beatification ritual for Father Truong Buu Diep was scheduled to begin at 8h on 2/7 at the Tac Say Pilgrimage Center.

Cardinal Luis Antonio Gokim Tagle, Prefect of the Dicastery for Evangelization, presided over the beatification ceremony on behalf of Pope Leo XIV. Yesterday afternoon, the Cardinal arrived in Ha Noi and was present in Can Tho and Ca Mau this afternoon.

Nguyen Ngoc Nam, 72, and his wife traveled by bus from Ninh Binh province to Tac Say church. Nam stated that his family had arrived in Ca Mau four days earlier. Unable to find a hotel near the church, the family had to stay at a relative's house in Song Doc commune, over 70 km from the church.

People used tarpaulins for temporary shelter when the sky unexpectedly opened up with rain earlier. At a roadside eatery, Duong Thi Hoa, a parishioner from Phu My parish (Ha Noi), along with a group of over 40 people, waited for a bus to return to their hotel 40 km away to rest. The group had traveled by bus to Ca Mau three days prior. "The journey was long, and everyone was tired, but we were all eager to witness the beatification ceremony for Father Truong Buu Diep", she said.

The church lobby area was packed. Many people took the opportunity to spread out tarpaulins to rest.

Father Truong Buu Diep's tomb inside Tac Say church was crowded with people visiting and praying.

Outside the church, thousands of people carrying luggage and personal belongings streamed into the Tac Say pilgrimage area.

The organizing committee arranged six resting points on the roads leading to the ceremony area to welcome pilgrims: two points on the Quan Lo - Phung Hiep route and four points on national highway 1.

Parishioners living near Tac Say church took the opportunity to visit by boat. Riverine fire police forces were stationed behind the church, on the Ca Mau - Bac Lieu canal.

Location of Tac Say church and Khuc Treo church - where Father Truong Buu Diep was first buried. Graphics: Khanh Hoang.

Quynh Tran - Duc Dong - Chuc Ly