Recently updated on January 25th, 2021 at 11:07 am
What is the Vu Lan festival?
Vu Lan Festival, also known as the filial piety ceremony, is one of the main Buddhist festivals and is always celebrated on July 15 of the lunar calendar in Vietnam. On this day, according to Buddhism, the children often have some activity to show their sincerity and filial piety to their grandparents and parents.
The most common activity is to go to the pagodas to pray for those who have died to rest, and those who are living health and happiness. In addition, every family prepares a tray of food to offer to the family altar. Vegetarianism is another day activity Vu Lan ceremony. For those who still have parents, they can give their wishes and meaningful gifts to their parents.
In particular, the Vu Lan ceremony in Vietnam also has a ritual to put roses on the chest. Those who still have parents who live, set a red rose, whoever no longer has a living parent, set a white rose. This is a ritual performed in the 1960s initiated by Zen master Thich Nhat Hanh.
Not only in Vietnam but also in some Asian countries, where Vu Lan is celebrated. Join us to find out if the Vu Lan ceremony in Asian countries is different from the Vu Lan ceremony in Vietnam.
In Japan, the Vu Lan Ceremony takes place in August of the solar calendar every year. This is a day for Japanese people to remember their loved ones who have passed away. Over time, it evolved into days of family reunions, visits, and cleaning of ancestral graves.
Although choosing a different day of filial piety is different from Vietnam, South Koreans have the same ritual of putting flowers on the chest of a Vietnamese like the Vietnamese. The only difference is that the flower of their choice is carnation.
In Indonesia, people throw fake money to pay homage to their ancestors on the annual Vu Lan holiday. The offerings they offered to the deceased included mustard leaf and red cane.
For visitors who want to learn more about the orchid ceremony and take part in activities in this ceremony, you can visit one of the locations we listed below.
The suggestion of some places to visit during the Vu Lan ceremony time
In Ho Chi Minh city
Read more:
Dieu Phap Pagoda
Located next to the Saigon River and surrounded by rows of trees, pineapples, Dieu Phap Pagoda is a familiar destination for many Buddhists in Vu Lan holiday season with many meaningful activities such as rose dress, pray, release the lantern to pray for peace for the family, pray for the dead, …
Hoang Phap Pagoda
Hoang Phap Pagoda, the most famous pagoda in Saigon with a peaceful setting and many meaningful activities.
Vinh Nghiem Pagoda
Located about 2 km from the center of Saigon, Vinh Nghiem Pagoda is a familiar pilgrimage place for Buddhists. Charity activities, the ceremony to set free animals, birds, pray for peace, … will be held extremely meaningful on the day of filial piety.
Buu Long Pagoda
The place has extremely splendid architecture and peaceful scenery. So this will be a very suitable place for you to visit during the Vu Lan festival in Saigon this year.
Hanoi City
Read more:
Quan Su Pagoda
Quan Su Pagoda is a place you cannot miss on Vu Lan. Here, every year, from July 11 to July 15 of the lunar calendar, a large number of tourists, Buddhists come to offer incense, express gratitude to the Buddha and filial respect to their parents, or pray for the heroes of the country.
Truc Lam Tay Thien Zen Monastery
Located near Tam Dao, one of the spiritual places to visit in the North, especially during Tet, Truc Lam Tay Thien Monastery is really an ideal place for you to go to pray for your family and enjoy the peace and tranquility here.
Tran Quoc Pagoda
Located on a small island in West Lake, Tran Quoc Pagoda is a spiritual destination where Vietnamese people pray for peace and happiness for their families and loved ones at the Vu Lan Festival.
Vu Lan Festival (Ghost Festival) 2021 in Vietnam
| Year | Date |
|---|---|
| 2021 | Sunday, August 22 |
