The Huong (Perfume) River in the ancient imperial city of Hue, the central province of Thua Thien-Hue, was lighted up with seven huge lotus lanterns on May 6, signaling the start of Lord Buddha’s 2558th birthday celebrations.

Each floating lotus lantern, which is 300kg in weight, 7.6 m in diameter and 3.7 m in height, is made of steel and silk.

According to Thich Khe Chon, deputy head of the permanent board of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha’s Thua Thien-Hue Chapter, the art work symbolises the first seven steps of Buddha immediately after he was born more than 25 centuries ago.

During this year’s cerebrations of Lord Buddha’s birthday, pagodas and streets in Hue city and surrounding areas have been decorated with lanterns and flowers.-VNA