HCMC – Around 35,000 lotus-shaped lanterns lit up a Lang Le Cultural Park in Binh Chanh District, HCMC on Monday night, creating a dazzling display of light and devotion as part of the United Nations Day of Vesak 2025.
Speaking at the ceremony, Minister of Ethnic and Religious Affairs Dao Ngoc Dung described the lantern release as a deeply moving and symbolic ritual. He noted that this year’s Vesak celebration, the 20th hosted by the United Nations and the third held in Vietnam, coincided with the 50th anniversary of the liberation of the south and the reunification of the nation (April 30, 1975 – 2025) and the 80th anniversary of National Day (September 2, 1945 – 2025) — two milestones marking the country’s journey of rebuilding and safeguarding its future.
Organizers said the lanterns included 20,000 candle-lit paper lanterns, 10,000 battery-operated versions in case of rain, and 5,000 plastic lanterns placed around the lake’s edge. Seven large lotus flower installations floated at the center of the lake, forming what was described as a “sacred sea of light.”
“We will retrieve all the lanterns after the ceremony to avoid harming the environment,” said Venerable Thich Tho Lac, head of the Central Cultural Affairs Committee of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha and head of the Cultural Subcommittee of the UN Day of Vesak 2025.
