In his remarks at the opening ceremony of the 2025 Ngu Hanh Son Quan The Am (Avalokiteśvara) Festival on Sunday evening, Vice Chairman of the Da Nang People's Committee Tran Chi Cuong emphasised that the festival aimed to celebrate the 95^th founding anniversary of the municipal Party Committee (March 28, 1930 - March 28, 2025) and the 50^th anniversary of the liberation of the city (March 29, 1975 - March 29, 2025).

Vice Chairman of the Da Nang People's Committee Tran Chi Cuong delivered his opening speech at the 2025 Quan The Am Festival. Photo: DOAN HAO LUONG

He highlighted the profound humanistic meaning of the Quan The Am Festival, expressing the sacred and noble belief in spiritual life. 2025 marked the third year that the festival has been held at the municipal level with increasingly rich and attractive programmes and activities, better meeting the needs of Buddhists and visitors from near and far.

The festival was always an attractive destination for domestic tourists. It offered an opportunity for international tourists to learn about spiritual values ​​imbued with the history and culture of Vietnamese Buddhism, and experience cultural exchange of peoples around the world, especially countries in the Asia-Pacific region, Vice Chairman Cuong.

Wards in Ngu Hanh Son District participate in the tug of war competition. Photo: DOAN HAO LUONG

The Quan The Am Festival 2025 takes place from March 16 - 19 (the 17^th to 20^th days of the second lunar month) with many rich and diverse cultural, artistic, sports, belief and religious activities. There are two main ceremonies: the opening ceremony and the Quan The Am process.

During the festival, there are an incense offering ceremony to commemorate Princess Huyen Tran, a spring worship ceremony to pray for national peace and people's well-being, and religious and belief activities including a ceremony to release flower-shaped lanterns, and campfires.

Visitors at the art photo exhibition “Quan Am - Festival Season”. Photo: DOAN HAO LUONG

Notably, within the framework of this year's festival, a walk for peace will be organised with the participation of more than 300 representatives of local government agencies, organisations, and foreign consulates in Da Nang. Additionally, a talk show "The influence of Buddhism in Ma Nhai documentary heritage at the Marble Mountains scenic spot" will be held. These are practical activities to promote the value and elevate the Quan The Am Festival - National Intangible Cultural Heritage.

Moreover, there are parades of flower-decorated vehicles on downtown streets, the art programme "Shining Jade Lotus Platform", and the space "Vietnamese Vegetarian Cuisine".

Reporting by DOAN HAO LUONG - Translating by M.DUNG, T.TUNG