In the days surrounding National Day, the red flag with its five-pointed golden star appears across city streets, outside homes and on public buildings. For Vietnamese people, it is one of the most significant occasions of the year. For international visitors, it also offers a rare opportunity to observe, more vividly than usual, the connection between history, national pride and everyday life in contemporary Vietnam.
The 15th day of the 7th lunar month is known as Vu Lan festival which is dedicated to both parents who living and those who have passed away. This year the festival falls on August 15.
Many Vietnamese practice the custom of burning votive objects for a variety of occasions. However, sales of votive papers slump this year as more people oppose this practice as a waste of money.
An event, entitled “Dao Hieu va Dan Toc” (Filial Piety and Nation), took place at the Hanoi Opera House on August 31 to celebrate the Buddhist festival of Vu Lan, or Ghost Festival, a time for Vietnamese people to show gratitude to their parents and the deceased.
The Executive Board of the Buddhist Sangha of the Central Highlands province of Kon Tum will offer over 2,000 gifts to disadvantaged people on the occasion of the major Buddhist festival, Vu Lan.
Vu lan (Ullambana) – a major Buddhist festival, will be held at the Hanoi Opera House on August 31, Most Venerable Thich Gia Quang, Vice President of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha (VBS)’s Executive Council has said.
A requiem was held in the Czech Republic on the occasion of Vu Lan (Ullambana) to commemorate soldiers who laid down their lives to defend Vietnam’s sea and island sovereignty.
The Government’s Religious Affairs Committee visited the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha (VBS) at Quan Su Pagoda in Hanoi on August 15 on the occasion of Vu Lan (Ullambana) – a major Buddhist festival.
The Tay and Nung ethnic minority groups in northern mountainous province of Cao Bang are celebrating their traditional Pay Tai festival on August 28 to honour their mothers’ love and sacrifices.
