Series of New Year festivals suspended due to coronavirus epidemic
The coronavirus epidemic has affected the cultural and religious life in Vietnam.
Upcoming spring festivals across Vietnam are expected to be less buoyant due to the possible plunge of visitors or be suspended.
Other major festivals have been held off or scaled down at the request of the government with the aim of preventing the contagion of the new coronavirus.
As the situation of coronavirus in Vietnam has complicated, Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc last weekend asked relevant ministries, units and agencies to cease all festivals yet to be launched, some still could be held with the PM’s exclusive authorization. Besides, the festivals which are already underway need to be scaled down with revelers being required to wear surgical masks at public places.
Traditional buffalo fighting in Phu Ninh Commune, Phu Tho province, which is held every the eighth and ninth days of the first Lunar month to memorize Hung King, was put off, Zing News reported.
The ongoing Huong (Perfume) Pagoda Festival in My Duc, Hanoi, is ranked among top crowded and long-running events nationwide. It takes place from the sixth day of Tet until the end of Lunar March. The pilgrims are advised to wear facial masks.
Yen Tu is one of the most popular Buddhist hubs in Vietnam with its festival during New Year Eve usually drawing swathes of pilgrims. The festival starting from the tenth day of Lunar January to the end of Lunar March was suspended following the instruction of Prime Minister last weekend.
Illustrative photo by Phuthogov. |
On February 1, Bac Ninh provincial authorities announced the closure and suspension of all cultural, sports and tourism activities in the province including Quan ho folk singing, an exhibition of Spring newspapers, ornate creatures and rocks, among others, according to Vietnam News Agency.
The province also asked the people to avoid large concentration and suspended all yet to be inaugurated festivals namely Lim, Kinh Duong Vuong, Diem, among others.
Bac Ninh, one of the largest cultural centers of the North canceled the reception of tourists, and sending local workers to China, enhanced the supervision of all inbound and outbound citizens, domestic and overseas workers from and to epidemic areas.
Other provinces and cities across the country such as Nghe An, Danang, Binh Dinh, Kien Giang also strictly followed the Prime Minister's request on festival suspension.
