Bai Dinh pagoda, known for holding the most nation-wide records in Vietnam, began its festival on February 8.

The pagoda, located in the northern province of Ninh Binh, will hold the festival through to the end of the lunar month of March. It is the pagoda’s biggest yearly festival.

Visitors who come during this time will have the chance to walk the three-kilometre path, adorned with 500 stone statues of the Buddha, which leads up to the major pagoda (Điện Tam Thế), resting at the top.

Festival administrators have set fixed prices, from VND5,000 (USD0.25) to a maximum of VND20,000 (USD1), for all meals sold by vendors, in order to prevent possible price gouging.

Last year, nearly three million people made the pilgrimage to the pagoda.

The second phase of Bai Dinh will be launched this year. The addition is being made to facilitate future events, such as the welcoming in May of 100 international Buddhist delegations, and the receiving of the Emarald Buddha from Malaysia. There will also be an exhibition of Buddhist art as well as an event commemorating the 30th anniversary of Vietnam’s Buddhist Sangha.

Five more national records at Bai Dinh pagoda are expected to be officially acknowledged this year, which would bring the total number to 12.

Some images of Bai Dinh pagoda:

Bronze Buddha statue

The path to enlightenment

Largest bronze Buddha in Vietnam

Quan Yin Buddha weighs 80-tonnes

30-tonne bronze bell

The heaviest bronze Buddha

Largest triple Buddha set

Vietnam’s biggest well

Bai Dinh has the most styraxes bushes

Corridor lined with 500 Buddhas