Zen tourism blossoms in Vietnam
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With a 2,500-year Buddhist tradition and more than 10 million Buddhists, Vietnam can become an attractive destination for Zen tourism.
As a distinct school of Buddhism , Zen was first documented in China in the 7th century and was well developed in Vietnam under the Ly (1009 – 1250) and Tran (1225-1400) dynasties.
Zen tourism has developed in Vietnam with tours to pagodas and pagoda festivals that enable tourists to visit Buddhist architectural works, observe and participate in activities of Buddhist priests, enjoy and admire characteristics of Zen arts like flower arrangement, tea ceremony, bonsai and vegetarian food.
There are around 120 pagodas available for Zen tourism in Vietnam, including Dau in Bac Ninh, Tran Quoc in Hanoi, Truc Lam – Tay Thien in Vinh Phuc, Tu Dam, Thien Mu and Tu Hieu in Hue, and Tu An, Giac Lam and Giac Vien in HCM City.
