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| Vietnamese people make lotus lantern and Buddhist prayer beads during the International Travel Mart Hanoi 2019 in Vietnam. The travel fair was held from March 27 to 30. Courtesy of Cultural Corps of Korean Buddhism |
By Lee Han-na
Temple Stay in Korea drew keen attention from Vietnamese people during the Vietnam International Travel Mart Hanoi 2019 held in the Southeast Asian country from March 27 to 30.
At the event to promote international tourism, the Cultural Corps of Korean Buddhism (CCKB) presented Temple Stay, other cultural programs and answered questions from the visitors. The CCKB also hosted an event allowing visitors to experience Korean Buddhism by making Buddhist prayer beads and lotus lanterns as well as experiencing Temple Stay through a VR trial.
The CCKB's program was popular and over 5,000 people visited their booth to learn more about Korean Buddhism and its iconic tourism program. According to the CCKB, Vietnamese culture has been greatly influenced by Buddhism and this seemed to have led to a deep interest in Temple Stay in Korea and other related programs.
Ngo Thanh Tham, 20, said, "It was such a memorable experience making the lantern with lotus, which is the national flower of Vietnam." She also added, "If I visit Korea, I would really love to experience a Temple Stay and I hope many Vietnamese will have [this] opportunity to learn more about the program."
Ven. Wonkyung, director of the Cultural Corps of Korean Buddhism, said he was happy with the positive reactions from the Vietnamese. "I really felt the amity of the two nations through this event. I believe if there are more cultural exchanges between two countries, this will have a positive impact on Temple Stay."
CCKB said South Korean football coach Park Hang-seo, who is regarded as a hero who lifted the Vietnamese national football team to the next level, also played a part in making the Korean Buddhism program popular during the tourism exhibition. K-pop is also popular in Vietnam.
During the temple stay program, participants stay in a temple of their choice for a day to learn about Korean Buddhist culture. It is a unique cultural program that can help tourists learn and understand the history of Korean Buddhism.
Removing people from their busy lives, the program enables participants to reflect in a relaxed environment and interact with nature as most temples are located in deep mountains far away from bustling urban areas. They also learn etiquette, Buddhist values, and culture during their stay at the temples.
For more details about Temple Stay and the locations of temples, visit their website eng.templestay.com.
