In the middle of ancient tranquility in Hanoi Ha pagodaa contemporary love story unfolds as hopeful hearts pile in, laden with offers, searching for true love.
In central Hanoi, young men and women gathered at an ancient pagoda on Valentine’s Day, each bearing gifts in an attempt to secure a partner, a task of utmost importance in Vietnamese society.
Reverently placing a tray decorated with sweets, water and symbolic currencies, including fake dongs and US dollars, office worker Nguyen Thi Ly made her plea at the altar.
“Please help me Buddha, I want to have a boyfriend this year to stop being alone.”
Despite Vietnam’s communist ideology, Buddhist and Confucian customs are in force, and many followers seek blessings on auspicious lunar dates for various aspects of life, including love and prosperity. While Valentine’s Day has its roots in Christian tradition, its celebration has gained momentum in Vietnam, evolving into a spiritual pilgrimage for those seeking divine intervention in matters of the heart.
Educational psychology expert Tran Thanh Nam gave his insight.
“It’s a spiritual process, but it reflects that young people have now become insecure about how to find the right other half.”
This sentiment resonated with Nguyen Van Duong, an unmarried office worker in his early thirties, who prayed fervently for companionship on Valentine’s Day.
“My parents are getting older every day. They just want me to get married and have children.”
In Vietnamese culture, the emphasis on marriage and family is deeply rooted, often forcing young adults to conform to societal expectations. Despite the legal marriage age of 18 for women and 20 for men, the average age of marriage hovers around 30, reflecting a shift toward urbanization and education, Thailand’s PBS World reported.
dr. Nam highlighted the role of modern distractions, such as smartphones and social media, in disrupting human connections, comparing some to robots in their social interactions. Consequently, supernatural help, such as that sought at Ha Pagoda, attracts many who seek love.
Nguyen Thi Trinh said that she prayed five times at the pagoda for a relationship.
“I believe that I will be blessed with a boyfriend this year so that my family will stop asking when I will get married.”
Thai News World News