A view of the May 6 candle-lighting ritual praying for world peace, as part of the UN Day of Vesak 2025 celebrations in HCM City. (Photo: VNA)
More than 10,000 people gathered at the Vietnam Buddhist Academy and the Lang Le Cultural Park in Ho Chi Minh City on May 6 evening for a candle-lighting ritual, praying for world peace, as part of the UN Day of Vesak 2025 celebrations.
The event attracted the participation of some 1,200 international delegates from 80 countries and five territories, 800 Vietnamese monks and nuns, about 4,000 young people of Ho Chi Minh City, and local Buddhist followers.
At the event, Minister of Ethnic and Religious Affairs Dao Ngoc Dung expressed his appreciation for the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha (VBS) and monks for dedicating moments of remembrance to over 3 million Vietnamese who laid down their lives defending the country's independence and unity. The ceremony also honoured more than 1.2 million fallen heroes, 800,000 wounded veterans, and millions of Vietnamese heroic mothers and families who contributed to the revolution.
The Vietnamese Party and State always respect the freedom of religion, belief, and non-belief of all citizens, he said, adding that Vietnam hopes that the VBS and all people, both religious and non-religious, will continue joining hands to build a prosperous and happy nation.
The candle-lighting ritual demonstrated Buddhism's value in its global mission, which is to preserve spiritual traditions and actively contribute to international dialogues on peace, human rights, and sustainable development.
Earlier, the VBS held a grand memorial and requiem ceremony for the fallen heroes on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the liberation of the South and national reunification. This service exemplifies the Buddhist spirit of gratitude and the tradition of national protection that has accompanied Vietnam throughout its 2,000-year history./.
