HANOI, Friday 2 July 2010 (AFP) - Thousands of Vietnamese have converged on a rubber farm after the discovery of a termite's nest resembling the image of Buddha, an official from the rubber company said Friday.

"Police and local authorities asked them to leave but others keep coming," Vo Van Cuong, of the Rubber Company of Ben Cat, told AFP.

He said thousands of people from southern Binh Duong province and neighbouring areas had rushed to the forest site since Wednesday.

The 40-centimetre (16-inch) tall nest resembles Buddha sitting in meditation, Dantri International news website reported.

Pictures posted by Dantri showed incense, flowers and other offerings placed before the object which had attracted a crowd.

"According to rumours, it's the sacred land of Buddhism, and they have come here to pray," Cuong said.

"I think it is a very good omen presented to us from above and that's why many people have travelled a great distance to come here and worship the Buddha," Dantri International quoted Hoang Thi Minh, a local resident, as saying.

Buddhism is the main religion in communist Vietnam and at least 70 percent of the population are followers.