20th UN Day of Vesak in Vietnam

Activities

🌼 Vesak 2025 – Buddha’s Birthday Celebration in Ho Chi Minh City

Vesak 2025, commemorating the birth, enlightenment, and passing of the Buddha, is being celebrated with great reverence and joy across Ho Chi Minh City. This year’s festivities mark the 20th UN Day of Vesak in Vietnam, centered around the theme:
“Solidarity and Tolerance for Human Dignity – Buddhist Wisdom for Peace and Sustainable Development.”

From early May to the full moon day on May 12, temples and pagodas throughout the city host ceremonial chanting, Dharma talks, and rituals such as bathing the Buddha (Mộc dục) and releasing lotus lanterns to promote peace and compassion. The heart of the celebrations takes place at the Vietnam Buddhist Academy in Bình Chánh District, which welcomes monks, scholars, and dignitaries from around the world.

Cultural programs include a vibrant lantern festival with over 35,000 lotus lights, an exhibition of 87 sacred Buddhist relics, and spiritual concerts fostering mindfulness and unity. These activities are not only spiritual in nature but also emphasize Buddhism’s timeless message of compassion, coexistence, and inner peace.

Vesak 2025 in Ho Chi Minh City serves as a harmonious convergence of faith, culture, and international friendship—offering an opportunity for all to reflect, renew, and rejoice in the values of peace and enlightenment.

🕉️ Ho Chi Minh City – Vesak 2025 Event Summary (May 2025)

🗓 Date & Time	📍 Location	🎉 Event Description
April 20, 2025 (3–6 PM)	Across major temples in HCMC	Charity Vegetarian Buffet & Buddha Statue Release – Hosted to raise funds; includes distribution of 10 cm Buddha statues for merits
May 5, 2025 (5 AM)	Major temples (Vĩnh Nghiêm, Việt Nam Quốc Tự, Minh Đăng Quang…)	Bathing the Buddha (Mộc dục) & Chanting Opening Ceremonies – Includes Bát‑nhã drum ensemble, chanting of Khánh Đản sutra, Dharma talks .
May 6 – 8, 2025 (All day)	Vietnam Buddhist Academy, Bình Chánh District	20th UN Vesak Celebration – Opening & closing ceremonies, Buddhist symposium, cultural exchanges, exhibition of 87 Buddhist national treasures, flag‑raising, lantern‑floating ceremony, relic veneration .
May 6, 2025 (Evening)	Lang Le Park, Bình Chánh District	Floating Lantern Festival for Peace – 35,000 lotus lanterns released along the lake; attended by leaders and international delegates .
May 12, 2025 (Rằm, All day)	Major temples across HCMC	Full Moon Day Ceremonies (Rằm Tháng Tư) – Includes Tam Bảo refuge rites, chanting, prayers, and Dharma sermons across major temples .

Infomation

Start: 00:00 Monday, May 05, 2025
End: 00:00 Monday, May 12, 2025
Across major temples in HCMC