Young people are excited about the old Tet at the temple with the largest Buddha statue in North Central Vietnam

Spring trip to the pagoda with the largest Buddha statue in North Central Vietnam (Video: Hoang Lam)

Phuc Lac Pagoda is located in Nghi Thach commune, Nghi Loc district, Nghe An, known as the pagoda with the largest Shakyamuni Buddha statue in the North Central region.

The statue is 42m high, 32m in diameter at the bottom, consisting of 3 parts: the body, lotus platform and octagonal tower, made of reinforced concrete.

The statue is carved in a meditative posture, facing the East, not only massive in size and architecture but also has a harmonious, balanced, sharp, aesthetic beauty in every detail, from the face to the folds of the shirt and lotus petals. This work was completed by skilled craftsmen in 18 months, completed in 2021.

Phuc Lac Pagoda is a spiritual site with a history of nearly 400 years. After many changes, the pagoda was damaged and became a ruin. Since 2010, the People's Committee of Nghe An province has approved the restoration of religious activities and the restoration of Phuc Lac Pagoda.

Since being restored and embellished, Phuc Lac Pagoda has attracted a large number of people and tourists to offer incense and pray for peace, especially during the Lunar New Year.

In the sacred space, the pagoda arranges many miniature scenes evoking the atmosphere of the old Tet, serving visitors to experience and take photos. The photo recreates a tailor shop on Tet holiday.

Ms. Ngu Thi Bich (residing in Nghi Loc district) shared: "Looking at the image of this sewing machine, it reminds me of Tet holidays in the 80s and 90s of the last century. Back then, life was still difficult, hard, and deprived, but during Tet, my parents still tried to save money to sew new clothes for their children to wear during Tet."

A young man poses next to an old sewing machine, powered by a foot-operated motor connected to gears on the body of the machine. This foot-operated sewing machine is almost no longer seen in people's lives, replaced by modern, electric sewing machines.

The landline telephone has become a part of people's memories in the late 20th century, displayed in a part of the Spring landscape at Phuc Lac Pagoda, attracting the attention of many young people.

Ms. Nguyen Thanh Tra (Nghe An) shared: "My friend and I chose Phuc Lac Pagoda for our first spring trip of the year. In addition to admiring the largest Buddha statue in the North Central region, we have many beautiful photos, especially in the old Tet space, which we normally only hear through stories told by our parents and grandparents."

The colorful cultural space is recreated in the temple grounds with the largest Buddha statue in North Central Vietnam.

The snake mascot was erected in the grounds of Phuc Lac Pagoda, attracting many people to take photos.

A father captured an image of his daughter in a scene imbued with the spirit of the old Tet holiday.

People leisurely enjoy the scenery in the sacred place, in the warm spring sunshine during the Lunar New Year.

In front of Phuc Lac Pagoda is a field of butterfly flowers, which both beautifies the landscape of the pagoda and is a place for visitors to take photos.