Overseas Vietnamese in Thailand observe Vu Lan festival
Vietnamese Buddhist followers in Thailand held the Vu Lan (Ullambana) festival to pray for prosperity and to commemorate fallen heroes at Canh Phuoc (Wat Samananamborihan) pagoda in Bangkok on August 27.
Vietnamese Buddhist followers in Thailand held the Vu Lan (Ullambana) festival in Bangkok on August 27. (Photo: VOV)
Bangkok (VNA) – Vietnamese Buddhist followers in Thailand held theVu Lan (Ullambana) festival to pray for prosperity and to commemorate fallenheroes at Canh Phuoc (Wat Samananamborihan) pagoda in Bangkok on August 27.
The event was organised by the Vietnamese Language Knowledge Centre, theVietnamese Thai people association in Bangkok, the Thai-Vietnamese businessassociation in Bangkok, the Thai-Vietnamese culture association and VietnameseBuddhist followers in Thailand.
Participants pinned roses on their shirts to extend gratitude to their parentsthen joined a requiem ceremony to pray for Vietnamese soldiers who died fornational freedom and independence.
Most Venerable Thich Nguyen Chon, head monk at Canh Phuoc pagoda, underlinedthe significance of the event, saying that besides being a spiritual festival,the event also popularises Vietnamese Buddhism and connects Vietnameseexpatriates.
The event has been held annually among the Vietnamese community in Thailandsince 2009.
The festival falls on the fifteenth day of the seventh month in the lunarcalendar, with this month known as the spirit month in Buddhism. On thismonth’s full moon, wandering souls are believed to return to their former homes.
The festival is based on the legend that once when mediating, a Buddha’sdisciple named Muc Kien Lien saw his mother suffering hell’s tortures.
Following Buddha’s advice, on the seventh full moon of the year, Lien gatheredmonks and devotees and prayed with them for his mother. Therefore, the festivalis to express gratitude towards ones’ parents (especially mothers) and alsohelp ancestors’ souls find their way back to earth.-VNA
Vu lan (Ullambana) – a major Buddhist festival, will be held at the Hanoi Opera House on August 31, Most Venerable Thich Gia Quang, Vice President of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha (VBS)’s Executive Council has said.
Ho Chi Minh City’s art troupes and cultural centres will offer several shows to celebrate the annual Buddhist holiday of Vu Lan, an event that eulogises motherly love, held annually in the seventh month of the lunar calendar.
A Buddhist Cultural Fortnight began at Pho Quang pagoda in HCM City on August 21 to mark the Vu Lan festival which is held annually in the seventh month of the lunar calendar to pay tribute to motherly love.
Vietnam has over 4.8 million people exposed to AO/dioxin, including hundreds of thousands in the second, third, and even fourth generations. Many live with severe disabilities, facing high medical costs and loss of earning capacity.
Deputy Foreign Minister Dang Hoang Giang reaffirmed that amnesty is a humanitarian policy of the Party and State, reflecting the Vietnamese tradition of compassion and winning attention and high praise both domestically and internationally.
Vietnam officially grants limited-term visa-free entry to high-profile foreigners whose presence is deemed beneficial to the country’s socio-economic development.
With support from the Vietnamese Association in Ufa, Vietnamese language classes for children have been offered for many years. Currently, 60 children of various ages are attending two classes taught by Duc Anh, free of charge.
Vietnam ranked among the top four countries and territories at the 2025 International Olympiad on Artificial Intelligence (IOAI), reaffirming its strong position in international academic competitions.
All 20 crew members aboard the Vietnamese oil tanker GT Unity were successfully rescued from a fire in the vessel’s engine room, thanks to the swift response of the Liberian-flagged ship Androusa and Vietnamese maritime rescue teams.
Describing Agent Orange as one of the most severe and enduring legacies of the war in Vietnam, Vietnam's former Honorary Consul to Belgium Joseph-Michel de Grand Ry warned that its impact – still affecting generations more than five decades later – could last another two to three decades.
Running from August 4 to September 2, under the hashtag #TuHaoVietNam, the campaign invites participants in two categories: “I Love My Country” video clips and “I Love My Country” check-in photos.
Decree No. 219/2025/ND-CP, which took effect on the issuance date, introduces amendments that integrate the procedure for reporting and explaining the demand for foreign workers into the process of submitting applications for work permits.
With a tight 13-month deadline, the move is under a strategic and urgent policy to bridge educational gaps, train the local workforce, and shore up territorial sovereignty in some of the country’s most remote areas.
The parade and personnel send-off ceremony will officially take place on August 10 at the area surrounding the Statue of King Ly Thai To and Dinh Tien Hoang street of Hoan Kiem ward, with the participation of nearly 3,000 officers, soldiers, and local residents.
According to national technical regulations, AIS installation is mandatory for boats carrying more than 50 passengers. However, operators of smaller vessels (under 50 seats) in Ha Long Bay have voluntarily committed to completing installation by the deadline to enhance operational safety.
The activities include a Vietnamese language teaching training course for overseas Vietnamese teachers from August 13 to 28 in Hanoi, Ninh Binh, and Thai Nguyen.
Specifically, the ships will carry out patrols from 7am to 6pm daily along the main tourist routes in Ha Long Bay, with one ship permanently stationed at Ti Top island. From 6pm to 7am the following day, the mobile vessels return to Tuan Chau island to maintain a 24/7 on-call duty shift, ensuring constant readiness.
The Ministry of Construction (MoC) plans to open to traffic 208km of expressways of six key projects by August 19, bringing the country’s total expressway network to 2,476km.
As of July 1, a two-tier local government model started in 34 provinces and cities, streamlining administration but creating a surplus of public properties. If not promptly addressed, these assets could become a financial burden.
Whether they grow up to become journalists, diplomats, or professionals in other fields, these children can one day become bridges of friendship and cooperation, telling new and inspiring stories of Vietnam – China relations, said Ambassador Pham Thanh Binh.
A 21-year-old Indian tourist was successfully resuscitated and treated by doctors at Hoan My Da Nang Hospital after a near-drowning incident left him in critical condition. After three days of intensive care, the man was discharged from the hospital and has since returned to India.
In an document issued on August 5, the PM emphasised the need to stablise living conditions for people hit by floods, landslides, and flash floods in late July and early August in northern and north-central provinces, especially Dien Bien, Son La, and Nghe An which suffered some of the worst damage.
Although millions of Vietnamese were affected by AO, only over 626,000 individuals, including war veterans and their children suffering from dioxin-related conditions, are currently receiving state benefits.
Vietnamese Buddhist followers in Thailand held the Vu Lan (Ullambana) festival in Bangkok on August 27. (Photo: VOV) 
