Thousands of people flocked to Phap Hoa Pagoda in HCM City to participate in the lantern releasing ceremony on the occasion of Lord Buddha's Birthday, on the evening of May 19.

Thousands of Buddhist monks, nuns, worshippers, and local people take part in the ritual on Lord Buddha’s birthday, which falls on the 15th day of the fourth lunar month every year, or May 22 this year.

Lan Anh, a local resident, writes letters praying for peace and happiness to herself, relatives, and friends before dropping the lotus-shaped lantern.

Lotus-shaped lanterns glow bright in the canal. Legend has it that when Buddha was born he walked seven steps forward, with a lotus flower blossoming under his feet for every step he took.

Thousands of people converge on Phap Hoa Pagoda in order to take part in the ritual.

A young girl joins the crowd to hold lanterns in front of the pagoda gate.

The ritual begins at around 6:30 p.m. on May 19. Monks and nuns from the pagoda produce thousands of lanterns specifically for the festival, distributing them all for free.

The lantern releasing ceremony is organised to pray for the nation’s peace on the occasion of the most important festival in the Buddhist calendar, which marks the Buddha’s birth anniversary.

People stand along the canal watching the lanterns glowing bright in the night.

The lantern releasing ceremony has been held at Phap Hoa Pagoda annually since 2006 and is considered to be the largest in Ho Chi Minh City on Lord Buddha's birthday celebration.

Nguyen Hue