Worshippers moved slowly towards Tay Ho Temple, dedicated to a sacred Mother Goddess and revered as one of Vietnam’s Four Immortals.
Vendors lining the approach displayed ready-made offering trays, typically including fresh flowers, fruit, sweets, prayer papers and votive items, priced at VND 200,000-300,000, depending on arrangement.
Stalls writing prayer petitions and selling calligraphy were also busy.
Many visitors took advantage of their lunch break to attend the ritual, swelling the crowds at midday.
In Vietnamese belief, early-year temple visits are meant to pray for prosperity and peace. During the first full moon, many people flock to temples and shrines to offer incense and make wishes for the year ahead.
In the main courtyard, people bowed from a distance, filling the waiting area as they queued to offer prayers.
Multi-tiered offering stands were filled, with additional trays laid across the floor of the Son Trang shrine.
Nguyen Van Truong, 44, travels each year from Hoa Lac to Tay Ho Temple for the New Year ritual. After offering incense, he bought birds to release by the lake, saying it symbolised a wish for peace and prosperity for his family.
Tran Quoc Pagoda also drew large crowds of locals and tourists.
Tran Quoc Pagoda is one of Hanoi’s best-known ancient temples and draws large crowds of residents and visitors during festivals and Tet.
