Pham Thi Ngoc Han, 26, wrote prayers on a floating lantern. This year, the pagoda prepared 6,000 lanterns, distributed free to visitors. Due to the large crowd, many purchased lanterns from outside vendors for 15,000 - 20,000 VND each.

People flocked to Phap Hoa pagoda to participate in the floating lantern release ceremony celebrating Vesak. This day commemorates the birth of Siddhartha Gautama Buddha, observed annually on the 15th day of the fourth lunar month.

According to Venerable Thich Quang Minh, the pagoda's abbot, this year's Vesak celebration was more vibrant than previous years.

The pagoda was founded in 1967 by Most Venerable Tue Hai, belonging to the Lam Te Zen lineage. Its current appearance was completed after renovations in 2005, featuring Northern Vietnamese architecture and red tiled roofs. Phap Hoa pagoda is renowned for its large floating lantern festival in Ho Chi Minh City, attracting many locals and tourists for worship.

{"caption_all":"Kim Thoa (left) and her friend discussed participating in the floating lantern release ceremony at Phap Hoa pagoda, having learned about it through social media videos. "Despite the large crowd, no one pushed or shoved; everyone shared in the joy of Buddha's birthday," the 21-year-old student said.","caption_items":"["",""]"}

The Nhieu Loc - Thi Nghe canal glowed with candlelight from thousands of floating lanterns carrying prayers.

"The scene is truly enchanting and magical," said Kim Ngan, 24, as she filmed the floating lanterns.

A boat was stationed on the canal for the lantern release ritual. All floating lanterns would later be collected to ensure environmental hygiene.

{"caption_all":"About 20 volunteers helped transport floating lanterns for tourists and Buddhists to release.","caption_items":"["",""]"}

To welcome Vesak, 1,500 decorative lanterns were placed by the pagoda along 400 meters of the canal bank and within the Phap Hoa pagoda grounds from early May.

The pagoda is open to visitors daily from 6h-11h30 and 13h30-21h. Visitors can stroll along the Nhieu Loc canal. While the pagoda has a small parking area in front, it often fills up on full moon days or holidays.

Quynh Tran