The biggest annual pilgrimage festival kicks off today – the 6th day of the first lunar new year – at the Huong Son Huong Pagoda, in My Duc District, around 60km west of the Hanoi central business district.

The relic site, built at the end of 17th century, also consists of dozens of pagodas dedicated to Buddha, and various temples dedicated to local saints and agricultural gods on a bank of the Day River.

It is estimated that about 50,000 tourists would visit the relic this year. The festival lasts till the end of the third month of the lunar year (the end of April).

My Duc District's People's Committee Chairman Le Van Sang said the local authority had planned a safer and more bustling festival this year. Shops, advertisement banners and food shops would be strictly controlled to offer the best service to tourists.

Environmental protection also would be enhanced by the relic management board which planned to process rubbish following guidance by the Hanoi Natural Resources and Environment Department.