Buddha's birthday draws crowds in Hue
Key Takeaways
- Thousands took part in a Vesak procession in Hue to mark Buddha's Birthday.
- The procession travelled from Dieu De National Pagoda to Tu Dam Ancestral Pagoda.
- Participants said the celebration promotes peace, compassion and gratitude.
Monks, nuns and worshippers take part in Buddha's birthday procession through central Vietnam city
Thousands of worshippers, residents and visitors filled the streets of Hue City on Saturday as the central Vietnamese city marked Vesak with a large public procession.
The event brought together monks, nuns and Buddhist followers who walked through the city carrying flowers alongside decorated floats and traditional music performances.
The procession started at Dieu De National Pagoda and made its way to Tu Dam Ancestral Pagoda, where participants gathered for the main religious ceremony.
Aerial footage showed long lines of people moving through the streets, turning the annual celebration into one of the city's largest religious gatherings.
"I am deeply honoured to attend the Buddha's Birthday festival. The atmosphere here is unique, solemn, and dignified," one participant said.
For many families, the event was also an opportunity to pass on religious traditions to younger generations.
"Coming from a Tu Ton Buddhist family, I participate in the procession to honour the Buddha's birthday, express my gratitude, and spread the spirit of peace and compassion to everyone," another participant said.
The procession followed a Buddha bathing ceremony held earlier at Dieu De National Pagoda as part of the Vesak 2570 celebrations.
According to local media, the event was organised by the Executive Board of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha in Hue City and attracted large numbers of Buddhists as well as tourists visiting the city.
Vesak is the most important festival in Buddhism, commemorating the birth, enlightenment and passing of Siddhartha Gautama, the Buddha. The United Nations officially recognises Vesak as an international cultural and spiritual observance.
This story is written and edited by the Global South World team, you can contact us here.
