The Vu Lan Festival 2024 officially kicked off at the Am Phu (Hell) Cave at the Da Nang’s Marble Mountains Tourist Area on Tuesday.

Chairman of the Viet Nam Fatherland Front Committee of Da Nang Le Van Trung (left) presenting flowers to congratulate the Executive Board of the Viet Nam Buddhist Sangha of Ngu Hanh Son District at the Vu Lan Festival 2024. Photo courtesy of Ngu Hanh Son District

The festival, which falls on the 15^th day of the 7^th month in the lunar calendar, is a Buddhist tradition as well as a cultural activity aimed at honouring and showing gratitude to parents, ancestors, and those who died for the peace of life.

Organised by the Executive Board of the Viet Nam Buddhist Sangha in Ngu Hanh Son District from August 12-14, the festival features a number of solemn rituals to honour parents and ancestors, and a variety of cultural activities.

Chairman of the Viet Nam Fatherland Front Committee of Da Nang Le Van Trung (right) was pinned with a filial rose on his shirt. Photo: N.QUANG

Specifically, the rituals include reciting Buddha's names, praying for the souls of soldiers in the underworld, praying for national peace and prosperity, and preaching the Dharma of gratitude to parents.

Many exciting cultural activities are being organised such as an exhibition about photos and stone art statues, calligraphy, tea ceremony space, and pinning filial roses on shirts for locals and tourists.

On the occasion, the Executive Board of the Viet Nam Buddhist Sangha in Ngu Hanh Son District held a ceremony on the same day to congratulate 20 local senior citizens on their longevity, and present scholarships to 10 poor studious pupils.

Reporting by NGOC PHUONG - Translating by M.DUNG, T.TUNG