Vu Lan Festival in full swing in Vietnam to show people's gratitude to parents

Held annually on the 15th day of the seventh lunar month, the Vu Lan Festival, also known as ‘All Souls’ Day’, is the nation’s second largest traditional festival after the lunar New Year (Tet) festival.

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Vietnamese people believe that on this day, the souls of the dead return home and gather with family members. It’s therefore an important occasion for family gatherings and a time to express love and gratitude to ancestors and parents.

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Recent days have seen crowds of Buddhists flock to pagodas and places of worship to learn about parental love and pray for their parents.

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Thousands of Buddhist followers attend a Vu Lan prayer ceremony solemnly held at the Vietnam Buddhist Academy.

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Young girls in a white long dress offer flowers to show their respect and gratitude to superior monks, distinguished guests and parents.

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Most Venerable Thich Thanh Dat, member of the Central Executive Council of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha, and Most Venerable Thich Thanh Quyet, head of the Vietnam Buddhist Academy, begin the ritual.

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Vietnamese Buddhist followers traditionally believe that when they pray, they can bring better health to their living parents, and save the parents who have passed from being punished in the underworld.

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A young Buddhist monk performs a song in praise of the merits of his mother.

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Vu Lan Festival is also likened to Mother’s Day in Vietnam, when local people come together to show their gratitude towards the mothers in their life.