Hanoi (VNA) – The Buddhist Vu Lan Festival is now infull swing, taking place during the middle of the seventh lunar month. Thesedays, crowds of Buddhists and non-religious people flock to pagodas and worshipplaces nationwide to hear talks about parental love and pray for their parents.


The legend behind the Vu Lan Festival dates back to the early daysof Buddhism. One of Buddha’s ten best students saw his late mother suffering inthe tortures of hell because of the evil deeds she had committed during herlife. He asked for Buddha’s guidance and the help of other Buddhist monks tosave his mother’s soul.

Vu Lan Festival has also become something like a Vietnameseversion of Mother’s Day, when Vietnamese people show their gratitude towards themothers in their life.


Tran Kim Hanh, 60, Hanoi, attended Vu Lan Festival celebrations topray for the health of her mother, who is now 98. She said it is the biggestblessing for her because her mother is still with her.

“I hope that all people, particularly the younger generation,spend more time with their parents no matter how busy they are,” Hanh said.

Vietnamese Buddhist followers traditionally believe that when theycome together to pray on the occasion, they can bring better health to theirliving parents, while also saving parents who have passed from being punishedin the underworld.

One of the key emblems of the prayer ceremonies are the roses wornon people’s shirts, which  symbolise thelove that children have for their parents. Normally, those whose mothers are alive wearred roses. White roses are for those whose mothershave passed. The practice also helps to remind people not to forget theirparents.


Nguyen Tien Thanh, a Buddhist follower in Hanoi, wore a red roseon his shirt at a praying ceremony during Vu Lan Festival. 

“My mother passed away, I am supposed to wear a white rose.However, today, I want to wear a red rose because I believe my mother is alwaysthere for me. She is alive in my heart,” Thanh said.


The roses and otherfeatures of the Vu Lan Festival have particular religious values. They are alsosymbols of love for parents and families, which either non-religious people orfollowers of other religions are able to join in celebrating.

With its connection to Vietnam’s tradition ofworshipping ancestors, the Vu Lan Festival has become one of the long-lasting charmsof local culture. –VNA