On Monday morning, Dantri reporters pretending to be tourists to investigate the situation. At that time, some people gathered by Yen Stream and invited the reporters to use their boat service.
According to them, the price was VND1.3 million (USD56.52) for a rowing boat and VND2 million for a motorboat along Yen Stream to the Huong Pagoda.
Although check points were installed on the stream, they could take many visitors without being detected.
Visitors still going to Huong Pagoda despite being banned at present for Covid-19 prevention
A team of some 20 people told the reporters that they can take visitors deeper into the pagoda.A woman in the team advised the reporters that when being asked by authorities, they needed to say that they just were traveling on the stream, not to visit the pagoda. They were also instructed not to mention anything about the boat crew.
She also gave them a small piece of paper showing the map to help them go to the pagoda easily.
When coming to Trinh Temple, the reporters saw some visitors who were worshipping. Despite being prohibited, two food stalls were still open at the pagoda.
At the pagoda, many visitors did not wear face masks because no checks were being made by authorities.
My Duc District earlier announced the suspension of the Huong Pagoda Festival for epidemic preventive measures.
The reporters contacted a representative from My Duc District’s Covid-19 prevention and control board about the illegal boat service at Huong Pagoda. However, he refused to give a comment saying he was busy.
