On the roads near temples and Buddhist pagodas such as Tran Quoc and Van Mieu one can see enormous crowds of devotees returning from offering prayers.

In the places of worship, they carry ornate rods of smoking incense, flowers, fruit and other blessings for the gods who watch over their existence.

A man buys a packet of salt. After offering incense, it is customary to buy salt with hope of it bringing good luck during the upcoming year.

Another destination attracting huge crowds is Van Mieu Temple, the first university of Vietnam.

View of parking area is filled to the brim with motorbikes.

Pictured are people waiting in line to enter.

Visitors shuffle through the campus of the Van Mieu Temple.

View of devotees offering incense to Chu Van An – an ancient exemplary teacher.

Students writing their names with their fingers on painted stucco stone slabs for good luck with their grades in the new year.

A mother carrying her sleeping child at the Van Mieu Temple.

The Tay Ho Temple in West Lake is also a popular attraction in the early days of the new year.

Some more photos of the Tay Ho Temple.