Dignified Buddha bathing and procession ceremony

On the morning of July 7, Hue Monuments Conservation Center coordinated with the Provincial Department of Culture and Sports to organize an incense and flower offering ceremony, and a procession of gratitude to the ancestor on the occasion of the death anniversary of Lord Nguyen Phuc Khoat, the person who laid the foundation of Ao dai Vietnam. This is one of the activities responding to Hue Festival 2023, and within the framework of the Autumn Festival’s activities.

I happened to come across a Facebook post of a friend currently living in the Central Highlands of Vietnam. It read, “seeing seven blooming pink lotus flowers celebrating Vesak on Nhan Co Lake reminds me so much of my hometown - Hue, where Ngu Mountain and the Perfume River reside.”

For tourists from all over the world and Hue people, Vesak day (Buddha’s birthday) is an annual event as well as an indispensable spiritual practice with a variety of celebration activities.

On the morning of May 23 (5th of the 4th lunar month, of the year of the Cat), the Board of Administration - The Organizing Committee of the Vesak 2567 in Thua Thien Hue Province performed the rite of launching of seven lotus lanterns onto the middle of the Huong River to celebrate the major occasion.

The procession of Uncle’s Ho portrait photo and lotus flowers was held solemnly on the morning of May 17 at Duong No Village (Phu Duong Commune, Hue City) – the place associated with his childhood.