Buddha’s sacred relics arrive in Vietnam for UN Vesak celebrations
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.
Shakyamuni Buddha’s sacred relics are transported from the Tan Son Nhat International Airport to the Vietnam Buddhist Academy in HCM City. (Photo: VNA)
HCM City (VNA) – Vietnam welcomed Shakyamuni Buddha’s sacred relics – a national treasure of India on May 2, marking the first time the venerated artifacts have been brought to and enshrined in the country.
The precious artifacts were accompanied by India’s Minister of Parliamentary Affairs and Minority Affairs Kiren Rijiju.
The Vietnam Buddhist Sangha (VBS) hosted the reception ceremony at the Tan Son Nhat International Airport in Ho Chi Minh City on the day, attended by Most Venerable Thich ﷽Tri Quang, Supreme Patriarch of the VBS Patronage Council alongside Most Venerable Thich Thien Nhon, Vice Supreme Patriarch, President of the VBS Executive Council, Minister of Ethnic and Religious Affairs Dao Ngoc Dung, and Permanent Vice Chairman of the HCM City People’s Committee Duong Ngoc Hai.
The relics are transported to the Vietnam Buddhist Academy in HCM City. (Photo: VNA)
Following the airport reception, the relics were transported to the Vietnam Buddhist Academy in HCM City, the main venue for the upcoming 20th UN Day of Vesak Celebrations. From May 3-8, they will be enshrined at Thanh Tam pagoda in Binh Chanh district for public veneration.
The relics are scheduled to travel to several significant Buddhist sites across Vietnam, including Ba Den Mountain National Tourist Area in Tay Ninh province, Quan Su Pagoda in Hanoi – the headquarters of the VBS, and Tam Chuc pagoda in Ha Nam province.
The UN Vesak 2025, themed “Unity and Inclusivity for Human Dignity: Buddhist Insights for World Peace and Sustainable Development,” will take place from May 6 to 8. Some 1,200 delegates from 85 countries and territories, including dozens of heads of states, are expected to attend the event.
Vietnam hosted the UN Vesak celebrations in Hanoi in 2008, Ninh Binh province in 2014, and Ha Nam provinಌce in 2019./.
Vesak 2025 is expected to strengthen exchanges and friendship between the Vietnamese people and international friends, and affirm Vietnam’s position and responsibility to the UN and the international community.
The 20th UN Day of Vesak Celebrations will enhance the role of Vietnamese Buddhism in international integration while introducing Vietnam's people, culture, history, and Buddhist traditions to international delegates. Besides, it will help develop spiritual tourism potential, contributing to Vietnam's comprehensive cooperation with countries worldwide.
Themed “Unity and Inclusivity for Human Dignity: Buddhist Insights for World Peace and Sustainable Development,” Vesak 2025 is scheduled to take place in Ho Chi Minh City from May 6-8.
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.
The cultural event in Canberra not only fostered cultural exchanges between Vietnam and Australia but also contributed to promoting Vietnam’s image internationally
The U23 competition will run from June 16 to 22, followed by the U17 event from June 23 to 28, while athletes competing in the U23 category will undergo weight and skill checks ahead of the matches starting June 18, while similar checks for U17 athletes will take place before June 23.
Vietnam continues to sit just behind continental powerhouses Japan, the Republic of Korea, Australia, China, and the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK).
The event served as a vibrant display of solidarity, promoting peace, cooperation, and development through cultural dialogue, and reaffirmed HCM City's role as a dynamic hub for cultural diplomacy and international friendship.
