The Huong Pagoda Festival is implementing significant changes this year, focusing on safety and technological innovation to combat overcharging and enhance visitor experience. On 6/2, a representative from the Huong Pagoda Festival Steering Committee announced these new initiatives.
To address past issues, businesses must publicly display prices. Authorities will inspect and address acts of harassment, price gouging, and encroachment on heritage site grounds. A rapid response team has been established to receive information via the 19001207 hotline, ensuring prompt resolution of incidents.
Security is a top priority, with over 110 police officers and local security personnel deployed 24 hours a day. They conduct mobile patrols to prevent theft, customer coercion, and to address unauthorized motorbike taxis or illegal parking.
These measures follow complaints from many visitors during the 2025 festival season, who reported instances of overcharging and harassment by boat operators. Common practices included feigning hardship, soliciting "tips," or failing to display prices, particularly during spring trips to Huong Pagoda on the opening day.
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Huong Pagoda Festival 2024. Photo: Giang Huy |
Festival management is enhancing technology application to reduce congestion. Electronic tickets for sightseeing and boat rides are implemented, controlled via QR codes. The organizing committee uses an artificial intelligence camera system and an operational center to monitor and regulate visitor numbers online. To support people using digital services and sharing experiences, numerous transceivers provide free wifi throughout the heritage site.
Logistical improvements include the mobilization of over 1,000 traditional boats, 2,600 small boats, and six electric boats. All vehicles are equipped with seats, trash bins, life jackets, and QR codes for management. Boat operators receive professional training and wear identifiable uniforms. A system of 110 electric vehicles also operates on fixed routes with publicly displayed fares to reduce congestion. Additionally, waste collection occurs continuously along all land and water routes, preventing accumulation during peak visitor times.
Financial transparency and enforcement are also being strengthened. In addition to installing 15 more cameras at Den Trinh and other key locations, the festival implements electronic ticket sales, with payments via QR codes and POS machines. This data connects directly to tax authorities for revenue transparency. Before the festival's opening day, authorities renovated and dismantled 155 stalls violating safety corridors in areas such as Thung Mang, the entrance to Chua Ma Me, Chua Son Lo Road, and Thung Phu Ma.
To further support visitors, parking is free for vehicles with 10 seats or more and service vehicles (yellow license plates). Vuong Trong Dao, Vice Chairman of Huong Son Commune People's Committee, stated this decision aims to support drivers, as each group of visitors often stays for over 10 hours, and the previous hourly fee of 10,000 to 12,000 dong was "very high."
The festival runs from 18/2 to 11/5, with its opening ceremony on the 6th day of the Lunar New Year. The festival spans the entire Huong Pagoda Special National Relic Area, featuring four tour routes and 20 temples, pagodas, and caves dedicated to Buddha worship. Beyond the Thien Tru - Huong Tich route, visitors can explore additional sites like Chua Thanh Son, Huong Dai Cave, Chua Long Van, Chua Cay Khe, Nguoi Xua Cave, and Chua Tuyet Son.
Following the traditional festival, the locality will continue to organize cultural, religious, sports, and art activities to extend the tourism season, aiming to welcome visitors year-round.
The service fee for visitors on the Huong Tich route is 230,000 dong per adult, which includes sightseeing fees and boat rides. Priority groups and children pay 170,000 dong and 65,000 dong per ticket, respectively. For the Long Van - Tuyet Son routes, the organizing committee waives sightseeing fees; visitors only pay a boat fee of 85,000 dong per adult and 50,000 dong per child. Other services include electric vehicle rides at 20,000 dong per person per trip, and round-trip cable car tickets at 260,000 dong for adults and 180,000 dong for children and priority individuals.
Hoai Anh
