On 20 and 21 August, the Vu Lan Festival, which is known as Buddhist Mother’s Day in Viet Nam, took place at the Am Phu (Hell) Cave, the longest and most mysterious at Da Nang’s Marble Mountains Tourist Area. This is the 2^nd time the Vu Lan Festival has been held there.

Releasing balloons to pray for peace for the people and the country

The 2-day event featured a number of solemn Buddhist traditional rituals, including a solemn ritual to pray for the peace of martyrs’ souls at the Cave, lighting flower garlands to pray for peace and and safety throughout the year, and listening to the legend of Muc Kieu Lien, a man who created an altar to pray to Buddha for the salvation of his mom.

In addition, there were various exciting cultural and sporting activities such as a musical programme about Buddhism and filial piety, an exhibition featuring tourism products, calligraphy, tea ceremonies, pinning red, pink or white roses on visitors’ shirts, and camping.

Also, a ceremony to congratulate local senior citizens on their longevity was held at the festival, whilst scholarships were given to poor studious pupils.  

The Vu Lan Festival takes place every year on the 15^th day of the 7^th lunar month. This year, it falls on 25 August, and the moon itself will be an extra-large ‘supermoon’.

The festival 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 family members. It is therefore an occasion for family gatherings as well as a time to express love and gratitude to their ancestors and parents. This is the reason why Vu Lan Day is also known as Buddhist Mother’s Day in Viet Nam.