Four days after the deadly blaze at the mini apartment building in Hanoi's Thanh Xuan District, which resulted in 56 deaths, people gathered at the Phung Loc Pagoda to pray and light incenses for the deceased.
The pagoda is located only 500 m from the fire site and is open from 5:30 a.m. to midnight.
"Ever since the fire happened (late last Tuesday), the pagoda prays and chants three times a day for the victims," said monk Thich Giac Quang, who represents the pagoda.
White and yellow flowers are placed all over the pagoda. There are also star lanterns and mooncakes used as offerings, as there are only two weeks left until the Mid-Autumn Festival.
On Tuesday night, a fire engulfed the apartment block in Hanoi's Thanh Xuan district, leaving 56 people dead and 37 others injured. Of the victims, 10 were children.
The accident marks the deadliest fire that has ever occurred in Vietnam in the past 21 years since the one at ITC shopping mall in Ho Chi Minh City that killed 60 people in 2002.
A woman sheds tears as she prays for the victims of the fire.
"I didn't think the fire would be that tragic. Over the last few days, photos of the fire have haunted me," she said.
Hoa and her two-year-old daughter pray to the pagoda's altar.
"I didn't know any of the victims, but I want to come here in person to light incense and offer flowers," Hoa said.
Several students from Khuong Dinh secondary school came to the pagoda to pray for their schoolmates.
Seven students from the school were involved in the fire, and six of them died, authorities said.
A sign at the pagoda says the time period to pray for the safe passing of the victims' souls would last 49 days.
