Desperate singles seek divine intervention at Hanoi ancient pagoda

Amidst the ancient serenity of Hanoi’s Ha Pagoda, a modern-day love story unfolds as hopeful hearts flock, laden with offerings, seeking true love.

In central Hanoi, young men and women thronged an ancient pagoda on Valentine’s Day, each bearing offerings in a bid to secure a partner, a quest of paramount importance in Vietnamese society.

Respectfully placing a tray adorned with sweets, water, and symbolic currencies, including fake dong and US dollars, office worker Nguyen Thi Ly articulated her plea before the altar.

“Please help me Buddha, I want to have a boyfriend this year to stop being single.”

Despite Vietnam’s Communist ideology, Buddhist and Confucian customs hold sway, with many adherents seeking blessings on auspicious lunar dates for various aspects of life, including love and prosperity. While Valentine’s Day originates from the 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 procedure, but it reflects that young people now have become insecure about how to find the right other half.”

This sentiment resonated with Nguyen Van Duong, a single office worker in his early thirties, who earnestly prayed for companionship on Valentine’s Day.

“My parents are getting older day by day. They just want me to get married and have kids.”

In Vietnamese culture, emphasis on marriage and family is deeply ingrained, often compelling young adults to conform to societal expectations. Despite legal marriage ages of 18 for women and 20 for men, the average age of marriage hovers around 30, reflecting the shift towards urbanisation and education, reported Thai PBS World.

Dr Nam pointed out the role of modern distractions, such as smartphones and social media, in hindering interpersonal connections, likening some to robots in their social interactions. Consequently, supernatural assistance, like that sought at Ha Pagoda, holds allure for many seeking love.

Nguyen Thi Trinh shared that she has prayed at the pagoda five times for a relationship.

“I believe I will be blessed with a boyfriend this year so that the family will stop asking when I’m going to get married.”