The national flag and Buddhism flag were at the front of the Buddha procession on the afternoon of May 18

The program was organized by the Provincial Board of the Buddhist Sangha of Vietnam, with thousands of people including Buddhist most venerable monks, venerable monks, monks and nuns, Buddhist followers, international delegations and people from all over the province participating in the procession.

Prior to the procession, the bathing ceremony of the Buddha statue was carried out in solemn atmosphere at Dieu De Pagoda - Bach Dang Street, Huế City.

Next was the procession of escorting Buddha from Dieu De Pagoda with the national flags, Buddhist flags, and national flags of the countries participating in United Nations Day of Vesak 2019 Celebration. The car escorting Buddha, along with thousands of people went through the streets decorated with flags, flowers and lanterns from Bach Dang Street, Tran Hung Dao Street, Truong Tien Bridge, Le Loi Street, Dien Bien Phu Street and back to the main ceremony platform at Tu Dam Pagoda.

A great number of Hue people and tourists poured to the streets to welcome the procession and pray for national security and world peace.

Photos of the procession captured by Thua Thien Hue Online:

Before the start of the procession, the Buddha bathing ceremony was taking place

Then the Buddha procession officially started, proceeding to Tu Dam Pagoda

Attending the procession were also delegates from international Buddhist delegations

The Buddha procession passing through Truong Tien Bridge

A lot of domestic and foreign tourists went to the streets to watch the procession and take photos

The procession passing through Le Loi Street

The line of people extending for more than 1km following the procession praying for peace for the country

The monks and nuns participating in the procession

The procession team will come to the final destination being Tu Dam Pagoda

Story and photos: Nhat Minh