Vietnamese Buddhist Sangha meets Dalai Lama, extends invite for Vesak celebration in Vietnam
	Message of Humanity from 2025 United Nations Day of Vesak in Vietnam

Vesak 2008: Milestone in International Integration of Vietnamese Buddhism

From May 13-17, 2008, Vietnam hosted the UN Day of Vesak for the first time at the My Dinh National Convention Center in Hanoi. The event welcomed over 10,000 participants, including more than 2,000 international delegates from over 80 countries and territories. This marked a significant milestone in the process of international integration for Vietnamese Buddhism.

With the theme “Buddhism and a just, democratic and civilized society,” Vesak 2008 emphasized the engaged spirit of Buddhism. Seven thematic workshops highlighted Buddhism’s role in addressing global issues such as war, social justice, economic development, the environment, family, education, and digital technology.

The event also offered international friends the opportunity to experience Vietnam’s unique cultural and spiritual values through excursions to sites such as Yen Tu, Ha Long, and Bai Dinh. It was through these experiences that Vietnam affirmed its organizational capabilities, hospitality, and cultural depth within the global Buddhist community.

Vesak 2014: Buddhism and the UN Millennium Development Goals

From May 7-10, 2014, the second UN Day of Vesak in Vietnam took place at Bai Dinh Pagoda in Ninh Binh Province, attracting around 20,000 attendees, including 1,500 international delegates from nearly 100 countries and territories.

The candle-lighting ceremony praying for peace and happiness for humanity at Vesak 2014. (Photo: Vietnam Pictorial)

With the theme “Buddhism’s Contribution to the UN Millennium Development Goals,” the 2014 Vesak celebration underscored the alignment between Buddhist philosophy and global efforts to create a more just and sustainable world.

In his message to the event, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon emphasized: “I particularly welcome the theme of this year’s Vesak celebration in Vietnam and your interest in exploring Buddhist perspectives on achieving the Millennium Development Goals. As the teachings of the Buddha are timeless, Buddhist insights remain highly relevant today as we strive to fulfill the Millennium Development Goals and put the world on a more equitable and sustainable development path.”

The 2014 Ninh Binh Declaration affirmed that every individual and group should work tirelessly toward achieving the Millennium Development Goals and consider active social engagement as part of their spiritual practice. The declaration also called for conflict reconciliation, rejection of violence, and promotion of dialogue, compassion, and non-violence through cooperation among all parties.

Vesak 2019: Shared Responsibility for Sustainable Future

Held from May 12-14, 2019 at Tam Chuc Pagoda in Ha Nam Province, the UN Day of Vesak 2019 recorded the highest number of participants in the celebration’s 16-year history: over 500 international delegations and individuals from more than 110 countries and territories, nearly 1,650 international delegates, and between 15,000 to 20,000 domestic Buddhists and citizens.

The Ha Nam Joint Declaration issued at the 2019 UN Day of Vesak. (Photo: Organizing Committee)

With the theme “Buddhist Approach to Global Leadership and Shared Responsibilities for Sustainable Societies,” the event served as an academic and spiritual forum seeking solutions to global challenges such as peace, moral crisis, climate change, and technological advancement in the Fourth Industrial Revolution era.

Speaking at the closing ceremony, Most Venerable Phra Brahmapundit, Chairman of the International Council for the Day of Vesak, stated: “We will return home, but not empty-handed. We carry with us the many values we have learned from each other; new friendships; and renewed commitments to building a sustainable society together… contributing to the realization of the UN’ Sustainable Development Goals.”

Vesak 2025: Spreading Messages of Peace and Tolerance

Taking place in Ho Chi Minh City from May 6-8, the 2025 UN Day of Vesak holds special significance as it coincides with the 50th anniversary of Vietnam’s liberation of the South and national reunification, and the 80th National Day of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam. The event gathers more than 2,700 delegates, including approximately 1,250 international representatives from 85 countries and territories, with the participation of UN officials, international organizations, heads of state, religious leaders, and renowned scholars.

The moment of raising the Buddhist flag to welcome the UN Day of Vesak 2025. (Photo: Organizing Committee)

The main theme of the 2025 Vesak celebration is “Solidarity and Tolerance for Human Dignity: Buddhist Wisdom for World Peace and Sustainable Development.” According to Most Venerable Thich Duc Thien, Vice President and General Secretary of the Executive Council of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha, the theme reflects the profound humanitarian message that the Vietnamese Buddhist Sangha aims to convey to the international community amid current global challenges such as wars, conflicts, climate change, and environmental crises. The message is also aligned with the core objectives of the UN's Agenda for Sustainable Development.

The 2025 Vesak celebration serves not only to honor the noble values of Buddhism but also offers Vietnam an opportunity to share with international friends a message of national unity and the spirit of tolerance - qualities that form an essential part of Vietnamese identity.

One highlight of the celebration is the veneration of sacred relics of Shakyamuni Buddha - national treasures of India - and the heart sarira of Bodhisattva Thich Quang Duc. These acts contribute to the honoring of spiritual values and the deep connection between Vietnamese and global Buddhism.

During a meeting on May 5 with Most Venerable Thich Tri Quang, the Supreme Patriarch of the Patronage Council of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha, Most Venerable Phra Brahmapundit expressed his happiness in attending the 20th UN Day of Vesak in Vietnam. He highly valued Vietnam’s role in joining the UN in promoting the spirit of “leaving no one behind.” He also emphasized that Vesak 2025 would further highlight the role of Buddhism in addressing global challenges.

Vietnam’s hosting of the UN Day of Vesak over nearly two decades affirms the growing prestige of Vietnamese Buddhism and showcases Vietnam’s proactive and active role in international efforts for peace and sustainable development. Grounded in its rich cultural identity, spirit of tolerance, and hospitality, Vietnam has become a trusted partner in spreading humanitarian values and contributing to the creation of a better world.

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