Huge lotus lanterns light up for the Vesak Festival

The ceremony to light up the seven giant lotus lanterns on the Ca Ty River was held in a solemn and dignified manner, beginning with an incense-offering ritual to honor the Buddha. The seven lotus lanterns symbolize the first seven steps taken by Shakyamuni Buddha upon his birth, as reflected in the Buddhist account of seven pink lotuses supporting his pure feet. In Vietnamese culture, the lotus represents purity and nobility, embodying the spirit and identity of the Vietnamese people.

Each lotus lantern measures 4.8 meters in diameter and 1.8 meters in height. Its petal frames are made of iron, wrapped in fabric, and painted lotus pink. The lanterns are kept afloat by buoyant materials, anchored near the middle of the river, and illuminated by solar-powered LED lights, with a 10-meter distance between adjacent lanterns.

Most Venerable Thich Minh Nhat, Head of the Executive Board of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha in Lam Dong Province, said: “The lotus is not only a sacred and noble symbol of Buddhism, but also an image that embodies the spiritual beauty of Vietnam’s independent and self-reliant culture. Rising from the mud yet retaining its absolute purity and fragrance, the lotus represents the resilient will of human beings to overcome suffering and trials in pursuit of truth, compassion, and beauty. The lighting of the seven giant lotus lanterns across the Flower City, the Great Forests, and the Blue Sea during Vesak Week helps beautify urban spaces while spreading a message of peace, benevolence, and goodness to the community.”

Among those watching the event, Nguyen Thi Hoa, a resident of Mui Ne, said: “Every year, I look forward to this activity. It brings me a sense of peace and makes me feel even more proud of the beauty of my homeland. I have also promised myself to take part in more charitable and social activities, and I wish everyone a peaceful and blessed Vesak season.”

Many cultural and social activities take place during Vesak Week.

The 2026 Vesak Festival is co-organized by the Central Cultural Board of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha and the Executive Board of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha in Lam Dong Province, and takes place in central Da Lat. This year’s Vesak Week runs from May 23 to 31, featuring a series of large-scale cultural, spiritual, and charitable activities. The event is expected to bring together around 10,000 Buddhist dignitaries, monks, nuns, followers, tourists, and community members.

Festival highlights include the “Path of Enlightenment” painting exhibition amid the pine forests of Da Lat, depicting the Buddha’s journey from birth to enlightenment, and a Vegetarian Cuisine and Buddhist Culture Space at Lam Vien Square. The Executive Board is also organizing a wide range of charitable programs across the province, including presenting gifts to disadvantaged students, handing over compassion houses to underprivileged families, and hosting the “Zero-Dong Market – Sharing Love” to distribute 1,000 gift packages to local residents. The board will also visit families of wounded soldiers and martyrs, support social protection centers, and plant trees to promote environmental protection. Meanwhile, a flower float parade will pass through major streets, creating a vibrant festive atmosphere across the city.

The 2026 Vesak Festival is a major spiritual and cultural event of Buddhism, commemorating the 2,570th anniversary of Shakyamuni Buddha’s birth. Over more than 2,000 years since its introduction to Vietnam, Buddhism has accompanied the nation, become deeply rooted in Vietnamese culture, and contributed to shaping the spiritual values and identity of the Vietnamese people.

The Vesak Festival is also an occasion to spread the Buddha’s profound values of compassion, wisdom, and humaneness to the community, helping strengthen the spiritual foundation for building a prosperous and happy nation.