Many young couples in Hanoi are registering to hold their weddings at pagodas instead of at hotels or restaurants.
A wedding at a pagoda
Young couples are aping Vietnamese showbiz celebrities by choosing religious venues for their weddings.
Several pagodas in Hanoi have been willing to help organise such special events, including Quan Su and Ly Quoc Su pagodas in Hoan Kiem District, Dinh Quan pagoda in Tu Liem District, Bang pagoda in Hoang Mai District and Van Phuc pagoda in Soc Son District.
The number of couples who have registered to organise their weddings at pagodas has increased.
Superior Monk Thich Bao Nghiem, who is head of the Bang pagoda, said the pagoda has facilitated the organisation of weddings for 30 young couples since the beginning of this year.
“Dozens of couples have registered their special day at the pagoda through to the end of this year,” Nghiem noted.
He added that the pagoda has helped organised weddings for 100 couples over the past four years.
After getting approval from pagoda managers, the families of brides and grooms have prepared offerings including flowers, fruits, incenses, candles and tea.
Pagodas don’t charge families for organising weddings. If families want to order a vegetarian party, fees range from VND500,000-VND1 million (USD23.84-USD47.7) per tray of food.
A Buddhist monk or nun often presides over the wedding. The couple is guided to be initiated into Buddhism before their wedding rituals that last for one and a half hour.
During the rituals, the couples and their families together take five vows.
The ceremony ends by the couple presenting rings to each other.
Nguyen Quoc Tiep and Bui Thu Huyen have organised their wedding at Bang Pagoda on March 24.
“We consider it an extremely holy ritual. We’re really impressed by the Buddhist teachings about the responsibilities of the couple,” they said.
Newly married Le Thanh Quan, 26, from Hanoi’s Dong Da District said he and his wife decided to organise their wedding at a pagoda after attending a similar wedding.
“Initially we ordered a party with 60 trays of food at a restaurant but then decided to cancel the plan and switch to organise the special event at a pagoda,” Quan said.
According to him, the organisation of wedding at pagoda with a vegetarian party not only promoted tranquil environment but also helped preserve traditional cultural values, saved on expenses and cut down on alcohol drinking.
