Ahead of Vu Lan, Minister Nguyen Dinh Khang met Buddhist leaders in Hanoi, praising the Sangha’s work and the festival’s deep connection to Vietnamese traditions of gratitude.
Minister of Ethnic and Religious Affairs Nguyen Dinh Khang visited the headquarters of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha at Quan Su Pagoda in Hanoi on August 25, extending greetings to Buddhist dignitaries for the Vu Lan season of Buddhist calendar year 2570.
Minister of Ethnic and Religious Affairs Nguyen Dinh Khang presents flowers to leaders of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha, extending Vu Lan greetings to Buddhist dignitaries, monks and nuns nationwide. Photo: Le Anh Dung
Representatives from the Government Committee for Religious Affairs and departments and units under the Ministry of Ethnic and Religious Affairs also joined the delegation.
The delegation was received by Most Venerable Thich Thanh Nhieu, Standing Vice Chairman of the Executive Council of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha (VBS); Most Venerable Thich Gia Quang, Vice Chairman of the Executive Council; Venerable Thich Duc Thien, Vice Chairman and Secretary General of the Executive Council; and other Buddhist dignitaries.
At the meeting, Khang acknowledged and praised the Buddhist activities carried out by the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha in recent years.
The minister emphasized that Vu Lan is not only a traditional Buddhist observance but also carries profound humanitarian significance, closely reflecting the Vietnamese tradition of “remembering the source when drinking water” - an expression of gratitude to those who came before.
The occasion, he said, gives people an opportunity to reconnect with their roots, remember the love and sacrifices of their parents and express gratitude to earlier generations who contributed to building and defending the country.
Khang extended his best wishes to the leaders of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha, as well as monks, nuns and Buddhist followers in Vietnam and overseas, for a peaceful and fulfilling Vu Lan season.
Minister Nguyen Dinh Khang extends greetings to leaders of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha for the Vu Lan season of Buddhist calendar year 2570. Photo: Le Anh Dung
Drawing on Vu Lan’s spirit of filial piety and gratitude, the minister encouraged the Sangha to continue spreading positive values through practical and meaningful activities.
He also expressed hope that Buddhist leaders would continue encouraging monks, nuns and followers to contribute actively to building a stronger and more prosperous Vietnam and to accompany the nation under the Sangha’s guiding principle of “Dharma – Nation – Socialism.”
On behalf of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha’s central leadership, Most Venerable Thich Thanh Nhieu thanked Khang and the delegation for their visit and greetings during the Vu Lan season.
Thich Thanh Nhieu also briefed the delegation on the results of this year’s Vesak celebrations and preparations for Buddhist congresses for the 2026-2031 term in provinces and cities nationwide.
Those gatherings will lead up to the 10th National Buddhist Congress, scheduled for November 5-7 at the Vietnam Buddhist Academy in Ho Chi Minh City, under the theme “Discipline – Innovation – Effectiveness – Efficiency.”
Vu Lan is observed annually on the 15th day of the seventh lunar month. In 2026, the festival falls on Thursday, August 27.
Vietnamnet.vn
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