On April 21, Venerable Thich Le Trang, Head of the Ho Chi Minh City Buddhist Sangha, disseminated Plan No. 148/KH-BTS on organizing the Great Vesak of Buddha's Birthday 2570, expected to take place at 3 main ceremonial platforms with many solemn spiritual activities.
Buddha's Birthday Week will take place from the 8th to the full moon of April of the Binh Ngo year (ie May 24 to May 31st, 2026). Key activities include:
8th-4th day of the Lunar New Year: Simultaneously launching Bat Nha bells and drums at 4 am at all pagodas. In particular, at 7 pm, a procession will take place to carry the palanquin to invite the statue of the Buddha's birth from An Quang ancestral temple to Vietnam Quoc Tu (according to the route: Van Hanh monastery - Ngo Gia Tu - Nga Bay roundabout - Le Hong Phong - 3/2 street) and perform the Moc Duc ceremony (Bathing Buddha).
Full moon of the 4th lunar month (May 31, 2026): At exactly 5:30 am, the Grand Festival officially begins at Vietnam Quoc Tu Temple. Before that, at 4 am, Bat Nha bells and drums will simultaneously ring at temples throughout the city to welcome the Birth Ceremony.
At Bai Truoc Triangle Area (Vung Tau Ward): The Great Ceremony takes place on the 12th day of the 4th lunar month (May 28th, 2026). The program includes a flower bicycle and electric bicycle parade at 3:30 PM, a vegetarian food opening ceremony at 4:00 PM and a cultural performance night at 7:30 PM.
At Hoi Khanh Ancestral Temple (Thu Dau Mot): The Great Ceremony is held on the 10th day of the 4th lunar month (May 26, 2026). At 6 pm, the procession ceremony for the statue of Buddha will be carried from Thu Dau Mot Ward People's Committee to Hoi Khanh Pagoda through Nga Sau roundabout and Yersin street.
The Ho Chi Minh City Buddhist Board of Directors encourages pagodas to establish Lam-ty-ni gardens, decorate flags, flowers, lanterns and billboards. Local facilities can coordinate to organize the Centralized Great Ceremony to create solemnity, spread the message of peace and pray for national peace and prosperity.
