His Holiness the Drikung Kyabgön Chetsang arrived in the capital of Vietnam at Hanoi International Airport on the 6^th April 2009. More than one hundred monks and nuns and a big crowd of local Buddhist followers warmly welcomed him by offering flowers and white scarves.

Upon his arrival, His Holiness was invited to a VIP room at the airport where he gave blessings to monks, nuns and a number of eminent lay people. His Holiness left the airport escorted by dozens of security guards in the midst of a dense crowd of happy followers waving scarves. As soon as His Holiness arrived at his Hotel, he was interviewed by the local media.

The next morning His Holiness started a pilgrimage with the local Buddhist abbot and some followers by walking to the Chua Tran Quoc pagoda. The history of this pagoda dates back to the 6^th century. After a dam break, in 1615 the temple was moved to its present location on a small peninsula on the eastern bank of Ho Tay, the West Lake of Hanoi. The locals believe that the pagoda has prevented war and keeps peace. Therefore this temple is considered as the protector temple of the country.

On the same day His Holiness visited many other important ancient temples and places around the city such as the famous Temple of Literature (Van Mieu), built by one of the students of Confucius. In the evening His Holiness lead prayers at a nearby place and gave blessings. During the following dinner with a large group of followers, beautiful Vietnamese traditional music was performed.

On the morning of April 8, His Holiness started a tour to one of the holy mountains, the place of the first kingdom of Vietnam. This holy place is called Hung, just like the syllable in the Drikung Kagyu logo. The Hung cultural and historical site was established to protect a complex of temples built to commemorate the Hung kings, which were the legendary founders of the ancient kingdom of Van Lang some 4000 years ago.

After a two hour ride by car, His Holiness and the entourage reached the place where His Holiness was officially welcomed at the Phu Tho Province people’s committee headquarter. There he had a short meeting with the chairman, vice chairman and many other high ranking officials. The chairman of the Phu Tho Province delivered a welcoming address. Everybody seemed very much interested in Vajrayana and supportive of the Drikung Kagyu Lineage.

Dozens of welcome banners were hanging on the main highway road on the way to Dai Bi monastery, where His Holiness was about to bestow the Avalokiteshvara (Chenrezig) empowerment on the 9^th of April. Vietnamese monks and nuns warmly welcomed His Holiness at the monastery by throwing flowers and the Drikung Kyabgön Chetsang then took place on throne.

Around seven thousand devotees gathered for this event. At first the abbot of the monastery gave an introductory speech about the Kagyu lineage and His Holiness’ biography. Before His Holiness started with the program, from two sides of the stage young Vietnamese girls requested the teachings and empowerment according to tradition by singing dharma songs in Vietnamese. Subsequently His Holiness gave the empowerment followed by teachings in English, which were translated into Vietnamese. His Holiness donated the offerings to the monastery and all participants were very happy about the successful program and the blessings they had received.

On the 10^th of April His Holiness went on a pilgrimage to another holy mountain called Tam Dao. On top of the mountain the Drikung Kyabgön Chetsang blessed the newly built temple and gave a short talk on love and compassion and a transmission of the Six Syllable Mantra to a crowd of 200 people. Again His Holiness donated all the offerings to the committee of the monastery.

In the following few days, His Holiness made some visits upon private invitation and then continued on his travel itinerary to New Zealand.