To celebrate Vesak 2570 - the Buddhist calendar year corresponding to 2026 - temples and streets across Ho Chi Minh City have been decorated with colorful flags and flowers, creating a vibrant spiritual and cultural atmosphere.

The highlight is a display of seven giant lotus flowers floating on the Nhieu Loc - Thi Nghe Canal in front of Quan Am Monastery. The installation recreates a Buddhist legend in which the Buddha, immediately after his birth, took seven steps, with a lotus blooming beneath each footstep.

According to the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha, Vesak commemorates the birth of Shakyamuni Buddha and is considered one of Buddhism’s most important religious celebrations. Vesak 2026, marking Buddhist calendar year 2570, officially falls on May 31, corresponding to the 15th day of the fourth lunar month.

Since 1999, Vesak - celebrating the Buddha’s birth, enlightenment and passing into Nirvana - has been recognized by the United Nations as a global spiritual and cultural festival.

Phap Hoa Pagoda has been brightly decorated with lotus flowers, lanterns and Buddhist flags. The temple is also among the most popular destinations in Ho Chi Minh City for the annual floating lantern ceremony held on the night of the 12th day of the fourth lunar month.

At Quan Am Monastery, a large Vesak altar facing Truong Sa Street is currently being installed. The monastery is known as the only temple in Vietnam dedicated to chanting the Great Compassion Mantra in Sanskrit rather than in Sino-Vietnamese pronunciation, which is more common elsewhere.

The flamboyant tree-lined street in front of Quan Am Monastery has also been covered with colorful flags and decorations, creating a peaceful and festive atmosphere for the Buddhist holiday season.

Not far away, a statue depicting the Buddha’s birth has been placed at the entrance of Hai Duc Pagoda in Cau Kieu Ward to welcome worshippers during the Vesak season.

Giac Lam Pagoda in Bay Hien Ward is also being decorated with flags, flowers and lanterns in preparation for Vesak. The pagoda is one of Ho Chi Minh City’s oldest temples, with a history spanning nearly 300 years.

This year’s Vesak week will take place from May 24 to May 31, corresponding to the 8th to the 15th day of the fourth lunar month. Activities include Buddha bathing ceremonies, Dharma talks, flower-float parades, floating lantern rituals and cultural performances at temples and monasteries nationwide.

Nguyen Hue