At a press conference held on April 22 at Quan Su Pagoda, Most Venerable Thich Gia Quang, Vice Chairman of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha (VBS), affirmed that the 2025 UN Day of Vesak is one of the world’s most significant annual Buddhist events.

The United Nations officially recognized Vesak in 1999 to honor three pivotal events in the life of the Buddha: his birth, enlightenment, and passing into nirvana.

The 2025 Vesak’s theme is: “Solidarity and tolerance for human dignity: Buddhist wisdom for world peace and sustainable development.”

According to Most Venerable Thich Gia Quang, this message reflects both the compassionate and wise spirit of Buddhism and the global yearning for peace, mutual respect, and unity across all boundaries - religious, racial, or ideological.

Venerable Thich Duc Thien, Secretary-General of the VBS and Vice Chairman of the National Vesak 2025 Organizing Committee, added that the theme also mirrors Vietnamese cultural values: “Vietnamese people are known for their compassion, forgiveness, and hospitality. Vietnam is a friend to all nations. In this spirit, we offer a message of unity and tolerance to the world during this time of climate change, disasters, and conflict.”

Receiving the sacred relics of the Buddha from India

Venerable Thich Duc Thien shared that the sacred relics - Buddha’s remains discovered by a British archaeologist - are currently enshrined at India’s National Museum in New Delhi. These relics are recognized as national treasures.

According to India’s diplomatic regulations, transporting these relics abroad is treated with the same level of formality as a state visit. On December 31, 2024, Vietnam’s government formally submitted a diplomatic note to the Indian Government and Ministry of External Affairs. After months of negotiation, India agreed to allow the relics to be brought to Vietnam for the 2025 Vesak celebrations.

An Indian delegation, including representatives from the Ministry of Culture, archaeologists, and National Museum officials, is currently in Vietnam to inspect enshrinement conditions. The Indian Government is paying close attention to environmental factors such as temperature, humidity, and air quality, as well as strict security protocols.

The sacred relics are expected to arrive in Ho Chi Minh City via a military aircraft at Tan Son Nhat International Airport.

In a rare and deeply symbolic gesture, Vietnam will also receive - for the first time - the heart relic of Bodhisattva Thich Quang Duc. It will be enshrined at Vietnam Quoc Tu Pagoda in District 10, Ho Chi Minh City, from May 3 to May 10, allowing Buddhists and the public to pay homage. It will then be permanently housed at Da Bao Tower, Vietnam Quoc Tu Pagoda.

Key events during Vesak 2025

The Vesak 2025 celebrations are expected to welcome around 1,250 international delegates from 85 countries and territories.

Distinguished attendees will include Supreme Patriarchs, senior monks, presidents of international Buddhist organizations, professors, scholars, and Buddhist intellectuals from both Vietnam and abroad. Overseas Vietnamese communities from the U.S., Canada, Australia, Europe, and Asia will also join the celebrations.

May 2: Official reception and enshrinement of the sacred Buddha relics from India at Thanh Tam Pagoda, Lang Le Park, and the Vietnam Buddhist Academy (Le Minh Xuan campus, Binh Chanh District).

May 3: Opening of the public homage ceremony for the Indian relics at Thanh Tam Pagoda and for the heart relic of Bodhisattva Thich Quang Duc at Vietnam Quoc Tu.

May 4: Opening of Buddhist cultural exhibitions at the Vietnam Buddhist Academy campus.

May 6: Inauguration of the 2025 United Nations Day of Vesak.

May 7: International Buddhist academic symposium.

May 8: Closing ceremony of Vesak in the morning, followed by a cultural tour to Ba Den Mountain (Tay Ninh) in the afternoon.

May 9: Departure of international delegates.

Tinh Le