Vu Lan Festival is the second largest annual traditional festival of Viet Nam after Tet, and it takes place every year on the 15^th day of the 7^th lunar month.  This year, Vu Lan falls on 17th August, and the moon itself will be an extra large ‘supermoon’. 

In Vietnamese, it is also called the "Xa toi vong nhan" festival because Vietnamese people, and the many in other countries who share the same festival, believe that on this day the souls of the dead can return to their homes and gather with their families.  It is therefore an occasion for family gatherings as well as a time to express love and gratitude to ancestors and parents.  This is the reason why Vu Lan Day is also known as Buddhist Mother’s Day in Viet Nam.

In the morning, a lavish tray with various delicious dishes and votives is placed on the ancestral altar.  The householder burns incense and invites the ancestors to return home and celebrate the festival with the family.  Then, all the family members gather together and enjoy lunch, with vegetarian food being very popular.

(Photo: Tuoitrenews)

People also visit pagodas and temples to worship, burn incense, and offer votives to their ancestors and wandering souls.  They prepare offerings of food, clothes and votive papers, and release animals such as birds or fish.  They also buy presents and flowers to show their deep love and gratitude towards their parents.

Pagodas are usually crowded during the festival day because Buddhists gather for the monks’ lectures.  In the lectures, the monks explain the responsibility of children to pray for their parents, whether they are alive or dead.  Buddhists receive a pink, red, or white plastic rose to pin on their shirts, with the first two colors indicating that the mothers of the wearers are alive, whereas the white rose signifies that their mothers have passed away.

In the evening, a tray filled with food is set out in front of the house.  The householder lights incense and prays for the homeless souls, wishing them rest in peace. 

At night, candle-lit lanterns are released onto the river to float with the current.  Vietnamese people believe that, by doing this, their wishes for their parents will come true.  The ceremony creates a wonderful scene with the river sparkling in a holy ambiance. 

(Source: Internet/ Da Nang Today)