Vesak 2019: Flower-shaped lantern floated to pray for global peace

The Tam Chuc Buddhist Cultural Centre in the northern province of Ha Nam was illuminated with tens of thousands of flower-shaped lanterns on May 13 night during the 16th United Nations Day for Vesak (Vesak 2019) to pray for global peace.
  • Ha Nam Provincial Police trying to ensure security for UN Day of Vesak
  • Foreign media highlight UN Vesak Day 2019 in Vietnam
The Tam Chuc Buddhist Cultural Centre in the northern province of Ha Nam was illuminated with tens of thousands of flower-shaped lanterns on May 13.
The Tam Chuc Buddhist Cultural Centre in the northern province of Ha Nam was illuminated with tens of thousands of flower-shaped lanterns on May 13.

The event was attended by Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Pham Binh Minh, leaders of ministries, branches and localities, and many domestic and foreign Buddhist followers.

In his remarks, Deputy PM Minh expressed his delight to welcome foreign delegates who come to honour the values of Buddhism during the Vesak 2019.

He stressed that Vesak 2019 is an important event in the religious life of Buddhist followers worldwide, and it offers an opportunity for them to meet and pervade Buddhism values of tolerance, altruism, harmony and peace.

As the world is facing grave risks of wars, conflicts, stability and natural disasters which drive millions of people to unhappy life, he called the Buddhist followers and people all around the world to intensify friendship, tighten cooperation and promote values of Buddhism to build peace, contributing to settling challenges and conflicts and alleviating poverty.

He hoped that Vietnamese people and Buddhist followers will continue enhancing Buddhism’s quintessence, enrich Vietnamese culture as well as well respect current regulations on religion, making contributions to building a peaceful Vietnam with sustainable development.

"Vesak", the Day of the Full Moon in the month of May, is the year’s most sacred day to the millions of Buddhists around the world. It was on the Day of Vesak two and a half millennia ago that the Buddha was born. It was also on the Day of Vesak that the Buddha attained enlightenment, and it was on the Day of Vesak that the Buddha passed away.

The UN’s commemoration of Vesak has been held for three times in Vietnam so far. Previously, it took place in Hanoi in 2008 and the northern province of Ninh Binh in 2014.

The Vesak 2019 brings together 1,650 international delegates from 112 countries and territories worldwide.

VNA

Other News

Communication drive promoted for 500-day campaign to locate, identify fallen soldiers' remains

Communication drive promoted for 500-day campaign to locate, identify fallen soldiers' remains

Under the plan, all central and local media outlets are required to launch columns on the campaign, maintain regular coverage, and produce at least five to seven in-depth reports each month in key search areas. Media agencies will also be encouraged to gather and verify valuable information and develop high-quality products in both Vietnamese and foreign languages, including feature articles, documentaries, reports and short videos.

First Vietnamese pagoda in Tokyo inaugurated

First Vietnamese pagoda in Tokyo inaugurated

Ambassador Pham Quang Hieu expressed confidence that the establishment will serve as a strong spiritual anchor for Vietnamese people living in Japan while contributing to friendship and cultural exchanges between the two countries.

National drive kicks off to protect, support children online

National drive kicks off to protect, support children online

Cyberspace now runs through children’s learning, entertainment, and daily lives, but warned it is laced with dangerous content, online insults, threats, and seemingly harmless clicks that can trigger fraud, data breaches, and risks children who are not yet equipped to handle.

Vietnam, RoK scholars discuss diplomatic perspectives amid modern East Asia

Vietnam, RoK scholars discuss diplomatic perspectives amid modern East Asia

A scholar has stressed the need for Vietnam to make use of cooperation opportunities arising from the RoK’s foreign policy, particularly in semiconductor technology, artificial intelligence (AI), supply chains, digital transformation, and green energy, as well as chances in multilateral diplomacy.

'Barefoot inventor' and global ambitions

'Barefoot inventor' and global ambitions

Pham Van Hat is best known as the creator of the made-in-Vietnam “Seed Sowing Robot,” now exported to 15 countries, alongside dozens of practical inventions that have eased labour for thousands of farmers.

Safeguarding fairness for creators, future of Vietnam's culture

Safeguarding fairness for creators, future of Vietnam's culture

Films, music, television programmes, e-books, video games, journalistic works, images and creative data can now be copied, edited and redistributed within minutes. While copyright violations were once linked mainly to pirated discs or counterfeit books, infringements have shifted online with faster speed, wider scale and greater anonymity.

Flower tribute ceremony honours President Ho Chi Minh in Russia

Flower tribute ceremony honours President Ho Chi Minh in Russia

Consul General Nguyen Viet Kien stressed President Ho Chi Minh’s reputation and career transcended Vietnam’s borders to inspire liberation movements worldwide, and that his ideas on the right to self-determination, peace, and friendship among nations remain deeply relevant today.

Education ministry targets five digital technology incubators at universities

Education ministry targets five digital technology incubators at universities

A key target under the new plan is the establishment of five digital technology incubators, or Deeptech Hubs, at universities and research institutes with strong potential. The education ministry also plans to launch a training programme for 1,000 outstanding technology entrepreneurs and develop criteria for selecting and supporting startup ecosystems within educational institutions.

Vietnam steps up implementation of ethnic affairs strategy through 2030

Vietnam steps up implementation of ethnic affairs strategy through 2030

To accelerate the implementation of the the Ethnic Affairs Strategy by 2030, with a vision toward 2045, the Prime Minister requested ministries, agencies and local authorities to continue thoroughly carrying out the Party and State’s policies on ethnic affairs, enhancing the effectiveness of State management and strengthening oversight of policy implementation.

Security preparations reviewed for APEC 2027 in Phu Quoc

Security preparations reviewed for APEC 2027 in Phu Quoc

The team examined the APEC 2027 Convention Centre, where main conference activities are scheduled; Sun Serenia Hospital, designated to provide healthcare and emergency medical services for delegates; provincial road DT.975, which connects Phu Quoc International Airport to the convention centre; and the area surrounding Phu Quoc International Airport.