Details of the activities for the 2025 Buddha's Birthday Celebration in Vietnam.
The Vesak 2025 celebration, taking place from May 2-8 in Ho Chi Minh City, features a rich series of activities and is a significant international cultural and diplomatic event.
The 2025 Vesak Celebration is co-organized by the International Organizing Committee for the United Nations Vesak Celebration (ICDV) and the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha. This is the fourth time Vietnam has hosted the event; previously, the Vesak Celebration took place in Hanoi (2008), Ninh Binh (2014), and Ha Nam (2019).
The main message of the 2025 Vesak Celebration in Vietnam is "Unity and tolerance for human dignity: Buddhist wisdom for world peace and sustainable development." This is a significant international cultural and diplomatic event for the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha.
The main activities of the 2025 Vesak Celebration are as follows:
- From May 3rd to 9th: The Central Culture Committee of the Vietnam Buddhist Association, in coordination with Binh Chanh District, will organize several cultural events including: a Buddhist cultural festival, Buddhist art performances, a Buddhist cultural fair... at Lang Le Park area, along with other cultural events of Binh Chanh District to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Liberation of Southern Vietnam and National Reunification (April 30, 1975 - April 30, 2025).
- May 3-8, 2025: Opening ceremony for veneration of the Buddha's relics, a national treasure of India, at Thanh Tam Pagoda, Binh Chanh District, and the Heart Relic of Bodhisattva Thich Quang Duc at Vietnam National Pagoda, District 10; at Ba Den Mountain, Tay Ninh from May 8-13; at Quan Su Pagoda, Hanoi from May 13-16; at Tam Chuc Pagoda, Ha Nam from May 17-21.
- May 4, 2025: Opening of Buddhist cultural exhibitions at the Vietnam Buddhist Academy campus.
- May 5, 2025: Welcoming international delegates to Tan Son Nhat International Airport, Ho Chi Minh City.
- May 6, 2025: Opening Ceremony of the United Nations Vesak Celebration 2025.
- May 7, 2025: International Scientific Conference Session of the United Nations Vesak 2025.
- May 8, 2025: Closing ceremony of the United Nations Vesak Celebration 2025.
Additionally, within the framework of Vesak 2025, there will be an international art exchange event featuring participating countries, including China, India, Thailand, Sri Lanka, South Korea, and Vietnam, at the Sala Theater, Dai Quang Minh urban area, Thu Duc, Ho Chi Minh City.
The 2025 Vesak celebration will take place at the Vietnam Buddhist Academy, Le Minh Xuan Campus, Binh Chanh District, Ho Chi Minh City.
This year's Vesak celebration was attended by over 2,700 delegates, including approximately 1,300 international delegates from 85 countries and territories around the world.
