LAO CAI (VNS) — A new tour taking visitors to temples and pagodas along the Hong (Red) River in the northern provinces of Phu Tho, Yen Bai and Lao Cai will start on August 10 (the middle of 7th lunar month), according to Tran Huu Son, director of Lao Cai Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism.

The tour will take tourists to such places as a temple dedicated to Mother Au Co in Ha Hoa District of Phu Tho Province, Dong Cuong Temple in Van Yen District of Yen Bai Province and Bao Ha Temple in Bao Yen District of Lao Cai Province.

The last destination is a temple dedicated to Mother Au Co in Lao Cai City in the 18th century. It is considered an important spiritual building confirming national sovereignty on the northern border with China.

Au Co was an immortal mountain fairy who married Lac Long Quan (Dragon Lord of Lac), and had 100 children known as Bach Viet , said to be the ancestors of all Vietnamese people from Viet Nam to southern China. Au Co is honoured as the mother of Vietnamese civilisation.

Son also said flower and light festivals and a street parade would be organised in Sa Pa Town on September 6.

In another attempt to attract tourists, an international marathon race will be held in the same town on September 20 and 21. — VNS