A large-scale festival to promote vegetarian culture, express gratitude to parents and mark Mother’s Day will be held in Hanoi on September 30.

Young people in Hanoi eat vegan food following a solemn ceremony to celebrate Buddha’s Birthday (VESAK) in May. Vegetarianism has become more popular in Viet Nam in recent years.

The Vu Lan Veggie Festival is held annually one month after the  Vu Lan (7th full-moon festival) celebration - an important Buddhist holiday on the 15th day of the seventh lunar month.

The veggie festival includes expressions of gratitude and appreciation for mothers, and is based on the belief that eating vegetarian food on this occasion will make prayers for parents more powerful.  In modern times, Vu Lan also marks Mother’s Day in Viet Nam.

The upcoming Vu Lan Veggie Festival is organised by Tu Ky Pagoda, An Lac Businessmen Community, Gamuda Land Vietnam and Thai Ha Books Company.

Organisers said the non-profit event also aims to promote the humanitarian values of eating veggie food. 

The event includes a food fair by 50 vegetarian restaurants and organic food stores from Hanoi and neighbouring cities. Several experts will share with participants information on healthy eating as a vegetarian.

The second event is a series of activities honouring parental love.   

Superior Buddhist monk Thich Hai Tang from Long An Pagoda in the central province of Quang Tri will talk about parents’ love for their children. A painting exhibiton reflecting the theme of a mother’s love will also be held. Several solemn ceremonies are also planned as expression for children’s respect of parents, including children washing parents’ feet.  

About 4,000 to 5,000 visitors are expected to take part in the event at Gamuda City near the Yen So Park, in Ha Noi’s Hoàng Mai District. More information can be found on the website: tetchayvulan.com

This event was first held in 2016 with the participation of 44 vegetarian restaurants and organic food stores. 

VNS