Buddha’s relics in Vietnam symbolise Vietnam-India cultural connections: Indian Ambassador
Organising the veneration of the Buddha’s sarira not only demonstrates reverence for the Enlightened One but also helps to spread the noble values of Buddhism within the community, guiding people toward peace, compassion, and wisdom.
The area housing the Buddha’s relics at Quan Su Pagoda in Hanoi is solemnly arranged, creating a sacred and tranquil atmosphere. (Photo: VietnamPlus)
Hanoi (VNA) 🧸– The reverence shown by Vietnamese people towards Lord Buddha’s relics reflects a profound religious, spiritual, and cultural affinity between Vietnam and India, stated Indian Ambassador to Vietnam Sandeep Arya.
Speaking to VietnamPlus on May 15, the Indian ambassador expressed his deep emotion upon witnessing tens of thousands of people and Buddhist followers queue to pay homage to the sacred sarira of Lord Buddha, a national treasure of India, brought to Vietnam on the occasion of the United Nations Day of Vesak 2025.
Mystery of Lord Buddha’s relics
According to Ambassador Sandeep Arya, the Buddha sarira is preserved at Mūlagandhakuti Vihāra Monastery. The site is located in the holy land of Ishipatana Migadaya, Sarnath, India, a site of eternal sacredness for Buddhists, where the Buddha delivered his first sermon, marking the beginning of Buddhism’s development in India.
Every November, the monastery celebrates its anniversary, opening the relics for public veneration. Thousands of people from various countries make their way to Sarnath, turning the monastery into a gathering place for peace-loving individuals from around the world.
The relics are kept in a silver casket discovered in 1929 by A.H. Longhurst, then Director of the Archaeological Survey of India’s Southern Circle. It was found in a large stupa in Nagarjunakonda, Palnad Taluk, Guntur district, under the jurisdiction of the then-Governor of Madras. The current casket is a replica of the original, which was found broken. Inscriptions on the stupa where the relic was discovered, along with scientific assessments, confirm the relic’s authenticity as that of the Buddha.
Vietnam and India share a long-standing friendship rooted in mutual respect, nurtured by President Ho Chi Minh and Indian leaders such as Mahatma Gandhi and Jawaharlal Nehru, and developed by successive generations of leaders and citizens in both countries. The two nations maintain a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership and cooperate closely across numerous fields, providing a solid foundation for people-to-people exchanges, cultural interaction, and political trust.
Following extensive discussions between the two governments, the Buddha sarira was flown to Vietnam aboard a special aircraft in celebration of Vietnam hosting the United Nations Day of Vesak 2025.
The Buddha’s relics being transported from Noi Bai International Airport to Quan Su Pagoda. (Photo: VietnamPlus)
Between May 2 and 20, the sarira was enshrined at several sacred locations -Thanh Tam Pagoda, located within the Le Minh Xuan campus of the Vietnam Buddhist Academy in Ho Chi Minh City; Ba Den Mountain National Tourist Area in Tay Ninh province; Quan Su Pagoda in Hanoi; and Tam Chuc Pagoda in Ha Nam province. At about 12 pm on May 20, the Buddha’s relics will be ceremonially returned to India.
As a national treasure, the transport of the Buddha’s relics to Vietnam has been treated with the solemnity of a head of state visit, he noted.
The relics holds deep spiritual significance for Buddhists worldwide, and this is the first time they have been brought to Vietnam. The Vietnam Buddhist Sangha, with strong support from the Vietnamese Government, has closely coordinated all activities related to the relics in accordance with the bilateral agreement, the ambassador noted
According to preliminary estimates, around 1.8 million people have venerated the Buddha sarira in Ho Chi Minh City, with 125,000 attendees in Tay Ninh alone.
The ambassador expressed his joy and emotion at seeing many senior Vietnamese leaders, such as President Luong Cuong and Deputy Prime Minister Tran Hong Ha, come to pay their respects.
The diplomat said he is moved to see people standing in long queues under the scorching heat to pay their respects to the Buddha’s sarira. Many individuals and organisations volunteered to provide free food and drinks to the public. That is a beautiful gesture, he stated.
Ambassador Sandeep Arya emphasised that the bringing of the relics to Vietnam represents a deep spiritual, religious, and cultural connection between the two peoples, as well as a shared vision in addressing global and bilateral challenges. These include the importance of tolerance, compassion, and peace, he said, adding these messages were at the heart of the recent United Nations Vesak celebrations.
The ambassador also noted India’s satisfaction with Vietnam’s organisation of the events. Despite the overwhelming number of visitors, the atmosphere of reverence, order, and security was well preserved.
Strengthening Vietnam–India cultural exchanges
This year, the Indian Embassy is organising numerous cultural events to enhance friendship with Vietnam.
As part of the recent Vesak celebrations, a thematic exhibition highlighting the historical connection of Buddhist belief, art, and culture spanning over 2,000 years was held at the Vietnam Buddhist Academy in Ho Chi Minh City.
Indian Ambassador to Vietnam Sandeep Arya speaks to the press. (Photo: VietnamPlus)
Additionally, India will continue its heritage conservation projects in Vietnam this year, notably the restoration of Dong Duong Monastery in Quang Nam Province and the refurbishment of Towers E and F in the My Son Sanctuary complex as part of the 2025–2029 restoration phase.
Previously, Indian experts helped restore the A, K, and H tower groups from 2017–2022. These works, praised by both domestic and international experts and visitors, returned the towers to their original form as when first discovered by the French.
Earlier this year, the Indian Film Festival was warmly received by Vietnamese audiences. The event not only gave Vietnamese viewers the chance to enjoy famous Indian films and experience rich cultural values but also contributed to fostering deep friendship and cultural connection between the two nations. Furthermore, the India–Vietnam co-produced film “Love in Vietnam,” which began filming in Da Lat in September 2024, is now in post-production and is expected to premiere in mid-2025, he noted.
Following the success of the previous 10 editions, the 11th International Day of Yoga in 2025 will be held in multiple provinces from May 16 through July.
India treasures its enduring relationship with Vietnamese people and hopes that the sacred journey of the Buddha’s sarira to Vietnam, along with cultural exchange activities, will further deepen the bond between the two countries, the ambassador concluded./.
The UN Vesak 2025, themed “Unity and Inclusivity for Human Dignity: Buddhist Insights for World Peace and Sustainable Development,” will take place in Ho Chi Minh City from May 6 to 8, expected to draw 1,200 delegates from 85 countries and territories, including dozens of heads of states.
The relics will be open for public worship and veneration at Hanoi-based Quan Su Pagoda from 6 am to 9 pm from May 14-16. They will then be transferred to Tam Chuc Pagoda in the northern province of Ha Nam from May 17-21, before being returned to India.
In Vietnam’s case, she said, President Ho Chi Minh demonstrated his strategic vision by founding the revolutionary press a century ago. The late leader understood the press's role not only as a means to reflect the country’s realities but also as a powerful tool to strengthen national unity and inspire the resistance wars and national construction process.
In recent interviews granted to the Vietnam News Agency (VNA)'s reporters in Mexico, prominent figures reflected on the press’s legacy and its global influence.
VietnamPlus e-newspaper of the VNA clinched an A prize in the “Outstanding Press Product” category for its immersive 3D multimedia project, “Epic of Reunification,” a groundbreaking blend of storytelling and technology. The VNA won another A prize for its eye-catching exhibition booth.
Today, the press for foreign service has evolved into a distinct, irreplaceable force, bridging Vietnam with the world and portraying a nation that is stable, peace-loving, and fully integrated into the international community.
At a review conference held on June 21, Deputy Minister of Construction Nguyen Van Sinh praised the province’s scientific, coordinated, and flexible approach. He noted that the early completion reflects the strong commitment of local authorities, the business community, philanthropists, and residents in improving housing conditions for disadvantaged groups.
The VNA delegation, led by General Director Vu Viet Trang, actively participated in the event, engaging in both professional and diplomatic activities.
In the context where AI dominates and produces vast volumes of content, the only sustainable path forward for journalism is to focus on high-quality content and core values. Journalism must redefine its mission - not to report the fastest, but to provide the most profound and trustworthy value.
Granma and the VNA have great potential for cooperation, especially in sharing content regularly, so that VNA products are published on Granma platforms and vice versa, thereby helping Cuban and Vietnamese people access true information and gain a deep understanding of each other's country and people.
During his stay in China’s Guangzhou city from 1924 to 1927 to prepare for the establishment of a Communist Party to lead Vietnam’s revolution, President Ho Chi Minh founded “Thanh nien” newspaper and released its first issue on June 21, 1925.
Vietnam and Cambodia are hoped to strengthen their robust collaboration across various sectors, particularly in resolving remaining border issues to transform the border area into a zone of peace, friendship, cooperation, and development.
The strategic product, managed and operated by the Vietnam News Agency Digital Media Centre (VNA Media), is an official channel for popularising the Party and State’s information and documents as well as delivering mainstream and trustworthy news to both domestic and international audiences through various kinds of multimedia formats.
Since President Ho Chi Minh founded Thanh Nien (Young People) newspaper in 1925, the Vietnamese revolutionary press has become the voice of the people. During the resistance war against the colonialists, journalists took great personal risks to inspire patriotism and the will of rising up against foreign invaders.
The total investment exceeded 319 billion VND (12.2 million USD), including over 261 billion VND from the state budget and 57.5 billion VND mobilised from businesses, organisations, and individuals.
The Mekong Delta province of Tien Giang is intensifying efforts to combat illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing as part of the country’s goal of having the European Commission’s “yellow card” warning lifted.
Throughout its 80-year history, the VNA has remained at the forefront of information dissemination. It has consistently delivered timely, accurate, and objective reports on both domestic and international events, serving the Party’s leadership, the State’s management, and the public’s demand for official news.
With strong support from local authorities, businesses, organisations, and residents, the province has successfully built or repaired 10,707 homes for disadvantaged households, including war veterans, families of martyrs, ethnic minority people, and low-income residents.
Throughout its resistance against colonialists and imperialists, Vietnam developed a revolutionary press that has served as a benchmark for just and legitimate causes worldwide.
Founded in 1842, the Vienna Philharmonic is regarded as a cultural ambassador of Austria, with prestigious conductors like Mahler and Karajan who shape its legacy. Its New Year’s Concert, broadcast to over 90 countries annually, stands as a global symbol of classical music excellence.
