Vesak – Buddha’s Birthday Festival in Vietnam

Sakya Muni was a Nepalese prince by his nature, named Siddhartha Gautama, born in April, 624 BC in Lumini, which lied at the foot of Himalayas.

According to normal practice, every year when it comes to Full moon Day in April, Buddhists formally commemorate Buddha’s birthday. Since 1999, Buddha Day, which falls on April 15^th , has been recognized by UN as a cultural religious festival in the World. Buddha’s birthday is one of the three festivals combined as Vesak including the birth, enlightenment (Buddhahood) and death of Buddha.

Buddha Day held solemnly with the main celebration falls right on April full moon day in Vietnam. Buddhists are not allowed to slaughter but keep a vegetarian diet and carry out the good. Besides, parades are also performed in every city of the country with the participation of thousands of Buddhists and Buddhist nuns; animals are set free; lanterns are floated or hung up everywhere along with Buddhist flags.

Moreover, local Buddhist Sanghas* and authorities carry out many charity programs with the aim of raising funds for the poor or build houses for the homeless.

Although Buddhism is not the biggest national religion in Vietnam, relevant festivals and events are still held regularly every year. These celebrations all make Vietnam a colorful and interesting country that is able to appeal to foreign friends all over the World all year round.

*Buddhist Sangha: National Buddhist Community or Buddhist Federation