Vietnamese in Laos celebrate the Buddha’s 2563rd birthday
A ceremony was held at Bang Long Pagoda in Vientiane, Laos, on May 21 to mark the Buddha’s 2563rd birthday, with the participation of hundreds of Buddhist monks, nuns, and followers from the Vietnamese community in the country.
Following several rituals, including bathing the Buddha statue, the ceremony concluded with the release of birds and balloons to pray for global peace and happiness. (Photo: VNA)
Vientiane (VNA) – A ceremony was held at Bang Long Pagoda in Vientiane, Laos, on May21 to mark the Buddha’s 2563rd birthday, with the participation of hundreds ofBuddhist monks, nuns, and followers from the Vietnamese community in thecountry.
Addressingthe ceremony, Most Venerable Thich Tho Lac, a member of the Secretariat of the ExecutiveCouncil and head of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha (VBS)’s cultural department, reada message from the VBS Supreme Patriarch.
TheVBS was honoured to host the 16th United Nations Day of Vesak in the northernprovince of Ha Nam from May 12-14, he said, noting that the event was a greatsuccess.
Hecalled on Buddhist followers and the Vietnamese community in Laos to unite,observe local law, participate in activities organised by Bang Long Pagoda, andcontinue to work as a bridge for the Vietnam-Laos special relationship.
Followingseveral rituals, including bathing the Buddha statue, the ceremony concludedwith the release of birds and balloons to pray for global peace and happiness.
The 16th UN Dayof Vesak 2019 brought together 1,650 international delegates from 112 countriesand territories worldwide.
Vesak, or theDay of the Full Moon in the month of May, is the year’s most sacred day to themillions of Buddhists around the world. It was on the Day of Vesak two and ahalf millennia ago that the Buddha was born. It was also on the Day of Vesakthat the Buddha attained enlightenment, and it was on the Day of Vesak that theBuddha passed away.
The UN’scommemoration of Vesak has been held in Vietnam three times so far. Previously,it had taken place in Hanoi in 2008 and in the northern province of Ninh Binhin 2014. –VNA
The 16th United Nations (UN) Day of Vesak, which concluded at the Tam Chuc Buddhist Cultural Centre in Kim Bang district, the northern province of Ha Nam, was an important religious event that drew great attention from international media.
National Assembly Chairwoman Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan on May 15 visited the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha (VBS)’s Executive Council on the occasion of the Buddha’s 2563rd birthday.
The Culture Department of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha (VBS)-Ho Chi Minh City chapter held a grand music festival on the night of May 16 to celebrate the United Nations Day of Vesak 2019 and Buddha’s 2563rd birth anniversary.
The ambassador noted that among the 300,000 Vietnamese residing in the RoK, around 3,000 are living in Pyeongtaek and contributing actively to the local economy. Ho expressed his hope that the local authorities will continue support the overseas Vietnamese community in the city.
This is the first time since the adoption of the Convention that a country has served two consecutive terms on the Committee. The outcome shows the trust and recognition that member states have given Vietnam for its efforts and achievements in carrying out and promoting the Convention, as well as for its active role, strong standing, and growing credibility at UNESCO.
Quang Duc pottery is known for its wide range of forms, including wine bottles, jars, lime pots, vases, plant pots, incense burners and candle stands. Decorative motifs are equally rich, featuring mythical creatures, pastoral scenes, floral patterns, deer, peacocks, bats and more.
Vietnam’s cinematic appeal lies in its diverse settings, from terraced mountains and limestone karsts to bustling markets and ancient towns. Its mix of ethnic vibes, buzzing street life, and old traditions gives directors a goldmine for storytelling.
The Vietnamese team will gather on June 26 in Ba Ria-Vung Tau, where they will train until July 14 before departing for Indonesia for the ASEAN U23 Championship 2025, which runs from July 15 to 29. Vietnam will face Laos on July 19 and Cambodia on July 22 in the group stage.
The exhibition showcases more than 100 valuable documents and artifacts, divided into two main parts: “Journalist Nguyen Ai Quoc – Ho Chi Minh” and “President Ho Chi Minh – Founder and Mentor of Vietnamese Revolutionary Press.” This is an opportunity to recall the late leader’s journalism journey and affirm his exceptional role in founding and guiding the revolutionary press in Vietnam.
For the first time, the World DanceSport Federation (WDSF) has granted Vietnam hosting rights for the two championships, including the Asian women’s solo category, which debuts this year as an officially recognised event.
Eight teams will join the tournament, divided into two groups. Group A features Vietnam, the Philippines, Sichuan Club (China), and Australia, while Group B consists of Vietnam U21, Korabelka Club (Russia), Taiwan (China), and U21 Thailand.
Despite strong home support and high expectations, Vietnam were unable to overcome the defending champions, who secured their third consecutive win over Vietnam in a regional final, following previous victories in 2014 and 2023.
The event, part of Vietnam’s cultural diplomacy strategy through 2030, was jointly organised by the Vietnamese Embassy in Venezuela and USM’s Faculty of International Relations. It attracted thousands of students from universities across Venezuela.
For the first time, Vietnamese audiences will have the opportunity to experience the ballet masterpiece "Don Quixote" in its original version by renowned choreographer Marius Petipa.
The contest carried deep meaning as it was the first time the life of Vietnamese women abroad had been highlighted as the central theme, said poet and writer Nguyen Quang Thieu, Chairman of the Vietnam Writers’ Association.
The event formed part of Vietnam’s ongoing campaign to seek UNESCO World Heritage status for the complex at the 47th session of the UNESCO World Heritage Committee, scheduled to take place in Paris in July.
Creative cultural festivals are fast emerging as a new catalyst for tourism development in Vietnam, as localities increasingly invest in these vibrant events on a more systematic and larger scale.
This marks the first time Vietnam has hosted a continental-level Muay event which will feature competitions across 28 weight categories in combat and eight performance categories.
Coming to the Vietnamese booth, visitors had the chance to take part in a bamboo dance, a workshop on painting woven bamboo or rattan, or quizzes about Vietnam.
These are impressive achievements, not only showing the efforts and prowess of Vietnamese paddlers but also serving as proof of the sports sector’s strategic and systematic investment.
Following several rituals, including bathing the Buddha statue, the ceremony concluded with the release of birds and balloons to pray for global peace and happiness. (Photo: VNA) 
