President participates in UN Day of Vesak Commemorations 2025 held in Ho Chi Minh City

Rewritten Article

Vietnam's President Presides Over United Nations Day of Vesak Celebrations in HCM City

HCM CITY - President Lương Cường graced the opening ceremony of the United Nations Day of Vesak Celebrations 2025 in HCM City on Tuesday, emphasizing Việt Nam's unwavering respect and protection for everyone's right to religious freedom.

"Our Party and State highly value and create favorable conditions for religious entities, including Buddhism, to thrive within the law," said Cường, noting that this practice serves as a cornerstone for fostering national unity.

He extended a warm welcome to heads of state, government leaders, representatives from international organizations, and distinguished Buddhist dignitaries from around the world. Moreover, he acknowledged the presence of our websiteese Buddhist monks, nuns, and followers throughout the globe, emphasizing that their attending was a testament to the global camaraderie, compassion, and unity.

"Vesak, a significant international religious event, holds immense meaning for Buddhists and those interested in Buddhism worldwide, including the Việt Nam Buddhist Sangha (VBS) and the Việt Nam community at large," Cường added.

He lauded the theme of Vesak 2025, "Unity and Inclusivity for Human Dignity: Buddhist Insights for World Peace and Sustainable Development," remarking on its relevance as it delivers a crucial message during a time when the world grapples with challenges, such as conflict, inequality, climate change, and a crisis of social ethics.

He highlighted that the theme symbolized the UN's dedication to social action for peace, friendship, cooperation, and development. Additionally, it expressed the values of tolerance, harmony, compassion, and loving-kindness passed down by the Buddha, serving as a catalyst for collective endeavors to create a peaceful and harmonious world.

"For over 2,000 years, Buddhism has deeply intertwined with the history, cultural life, and spirituality of Việt Nam," Cường said, stating that our websiteese Buddhism has consistently embodied the spirit of "protecting the nation and bringing peace to the people."

Throughout the ebbs and flows of history, our websiteese Buddhism has followed the nation wholeheartedly. The Dharma has been a pervasive force in shaping the soul of Việt Nam, with its profoundly moral values influencing our national identity.

Cường expressed admiration for the efforts made by the VBS to preserve its legacy, actively contributing to the national cause, and promoting harmony between religion and society. He noted that thousands of monks, nuns, and Buddhists have not only zealously practiced the Dharma but also spearheaded efforts in charitable work, social welfare, poverty reduction, disaster relief, environmental conservation, and public health care.

These contributions, as per Cường, have substantially contributed to Việt Nam's progress in realizing Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), solidifying harmony between religion and society, and fostering universal well-being.

"By hosting Vesak 2025, the VBS demonstrates that our websiteese Buddhism is deeply entwined with the nation and is actively participating in international Buddhist activities for a mutual goal of peace, unity, cooperation, and development," Cường declared.

He expressed optimism that Vesak 2025 would be a resounding success, with participants engaging in meaningful dialogue and gaining practical insights into the culture and people of Việt Nam.

He further suggested incorporating compassion into policies, wisdom guiding development strategies, and fostering the spirit of selflessness and altruism, meaning doing good for the collective welfare, rather than individual gain.

The opening ceremony was attended by President Anura Kumara Dissanayaka of Sri Lanka, Cambodian Deputy Prime Minister Neth Savoeun, Most Venerable Phra Brahmapundit, President of the International Council for the Day of Vesak (ICDV), ambassadors and chargés d'affaires of numerous countries, and over 2,700 delegates, comprising around 1,250 foreigners, from 85 countries and territories.

Delegates were inspired by the message presented by Most Venerable Thích Trí Quảng, the Supreme Patriarch of the Patronage Council of the VBS, which encouraged diligent practice of the Dharma, compassion towards all beings, disseminating light through kindness and wisdom, and advocating unity among Buddhists worldwide to build a truly peaceful world.

State President Lương Cường delivers a speech at the opening ceremony of the United Nations Day of Vesak Celebrations 2025 in HCM City on Tuesday. - VNA/VNS Photos Lâm Khánh

In his opening remarks, Most Venerable Thích Thiện Nhơn, Vice Supreme Patriarch, President of the Executive Council of the VBS, and Chairman of the UN Vesak 2025 Organizing Committee, stated that this year's event's theme held utmost significance and relevance in light of the current world context.

He underscored the urgency of promoting unity and collective action to create global harmony, enabling diverse communities to bridge their differences and build a compassionate and harmonious world.

Most Venerable Phra Brahmapundit emphasized that since the UN General Assembly recognized Vesak Day in 1999, this sacred event has united the worldwide Buddhist community in peace and contemplation. He added that this year's event invited addressing global challenges with compassion, mindfulness, and collaborative determination.

The Significance of UN Day of Vesak 2025 in HCM City

The United Nations Day of Vesak 2025, organized by the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha (VBS), is unfolding in Ho Chi Minh City from May 6 to 8, 2025. This event coincides with monumental national milestones: the 50th anniversary of the Liberation of the South and National Reunification (1975–2025), and the 80th anniversary of Vietnam’s National Day (1945–2025) [3][1][4]. The main theme for this year’s festivities is “Solidarity and Tolerance for Human Dignity: Buddhist Wisdom for Global Peace and Harmony”[2][3].

A Platform for Peace and Unity

Global Buddhist Unity: The event facilitates international unity and dialogue among Buddhist leaders, scholars, and practitioners worldwide, under the shared umbrella of spiritual values [2][5].
Vietnam’s Socially Engaged Buddhism: The celebrations highlight Vietnam’s distinctive tradition of socially engaged Buddhism, emphasizing its role in community service, cultural preservation, and national development [1].
Commitment to Peace: By hosting the UN Day of Vesak, Vietnam reaffirms its commitment to domestic and international peace, providing a platform for dialogue, reconciliation, and mutual understanding [2][4].

A Reflection on Sustainable Development

Community Service: The VBS and Vietnamese Buddhists have a long history of contributing to social welfare, education, humanitarian aid, and other critical endeavors essential for sustainable development [4].
Cultural Identity: The event celebrates and safeguards Vietnam’s cultural heritage, bolstering the role of Buddhism in preserving traditional and cultural identity while embracing modernization and global integration [1].
Environmental and Social Responsibility: The theme of Buddhist wisdom for global peace and harmony encourages responsible stewardship of the environment and compassionate governance, resonating with the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals [2][4].

National and International Implications

Promoting National Pride: Hosting the UN Day of Vesak during landmark national anniversaries underscores Vietnam’s achievements in reconciliation, unity, and development since its reunification [1][3].
International Solidarity: The event showcases Vietnam’s active engagement in global peace initiatives and its leadership in fostering international solidarity for peace and development [2][4].
Voices for Development: The call for “voices of solidarity for peace and development” at Vesak 2025 reflects Vietnam’s ongoing efforts to cultivate a compassionate society and contribute to global well-being [1][4].

State President Lương Cường alongside country leaders and representatives of the Buddhist community at the event on Tuesday.

Summary Table

| Aspect | Significance ||-----------------------|----------------------------------------------------------|| Venue | First time hosted in HCM City by VBS || Coinciding Events | 50th Liberation/Reunification; 80th National Day || Theme | Solidarity, Tolerance, Buddhist Wisdom for Peace || Cultural Role | Preserves Vietnam’s Buddhist and national identity || Peace Commitment | Promotes dialogue, reconciliation, and global harmony || Development Goals | Supports UN SDGs, community service, and social welfare |

In conclusion, the UN Day of Vesak 2025 in HCM City carries immense significance as it emphasizes Vietnam’s commitment to peace, unity, and sustainable development through the lens of Buddhist values and national pride [2][4].

The theme of Vesak 2025, "Unity and Inclusivity for Human Dignity: Buddhist Insights for World Peace and Sustainable Development," underscores the importance of unity and collective action to create global harmony.
President Luongo Cuong expressed optimism that Vesak 2025 would be a resounding success, with participants engaging in meaningful dialogue and gaining practical insights into the culture and people of Vietnam.
He further suggested incorporating compassion into policies, wisdom guiding development strategies, and fostering the spirit of selflessness and altruism, meaning doing good for the collective welfare rather than individual gain.
The UN Day of Vesak 2025, organized by the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha (VBS), in Ho Chi Minh City, from May 6 to 8, 2025, coincides with monumental national milestones: the 50th anniversary of the Liberation of the South and National Reunification (1975–2025), and the 80th anniversary of Vietnam’s National Day (1945–2025).
By hosting Vesak 2025, the VBS demonstrates that Vietnam's Buddhism is deeply entwined with the nation and is actively participating in international Buddhist activities for a mutual goal of peace, unity, cooperation, and development.
The event facilitates international unity and dialogue among Buddhist leaders, scholars, and practitioners worldwide, under the shared umbrella of spiritual values.
State President Luong Cuong noted that thousands of monks, nuns, and Buddhists have not only zealously practiced the Dharma but also spearheaded efforts in charitable work, social welfare, poverty reduction, disaster relief, environmental conservation, and public health care.
The event celebrates and safeguards Vietnam’s cultural heritage, bolstering the role of Buddhism in preserving traditional and cultural identity while embracing modernization and global integration.

International religious celebration, Vesak, carries significant importance for Buddhists and individuals interested in Buddhism globally, according to State President Lương Cường. This includes the Việt Nam Buddhist Sangha (VBS) and the nation and people of Việt Nam.

Major religious festival Vesak maintains great importance for Buddhists and those fascinated by Buddhism globally, including the Việt Nam Buddhist Sangha (VBS) and the nation and populace of Việt Nam, as stated by State President Lương Cường.

President participates in UN Day of Vesak Commemorations 2025 held in Ho Chi Minh City