United Nations Vesak 2025 - Vietnam's large-scale international cultural diplomacy event

Venerable Thich Gia Quang speaks at the press conference. (Photo: HOA AN)

At a press conference at Quan Su Pagoda ( Hanoi ) on April 22, Most Venerable Thich Gia Quang, Head of the Information and Communications Committee for the 2025 United Nations Day of Vesak, said that the 20th United Nations Day of Vesak will be hosted by the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha in Ho Chi Minh City, on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the Liberation of the South, National Reunification and the 80th anniversary of the National Day of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam. Therefore, this will be an extremely meaningful international cultural diplomacy event of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha and the country in 2025.

It is expected that representatives of the United Nations, international organizations, more than 1,200 delegates from 85 countries and territories and about 1,500 domestic delegates will attend the United Nations Vesak Festival in Ho Chi Minh City.

Most Venerable Thich Gia Quang emphasized that the organization of the United Nations Vesak Festival once again affirms to the international community the role and position of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha in the world Buddhist community.

The 2025 United Nations Vesak Celebration is an opportunity to introduce the image of the country and people of Vietnam as a country that loves peace , is friendly, united and harmonious, so that international friends can witness a dynamic, creative and prosperous Ho Chi Minh City after 50 years of national reunification.

This event is also an opportunity for Vietnam to affirm to the international community its consistent policy of respecting and ensuring freedom of belief and religion; the reality of religious freedom in Vietnam; and the achievements that the religious community in Vietnam has achieved over the past 50 years.

The 2025 United Nations Day of Vesak is considered an active activity of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha in implementing the people's foreign policy, enhancing understanding, exchange, and close friendly cooperation between the Vietnamese people and international friends, thereby affirming Vietnam's position and responsibility towards the United Nations, the international community in the region and the world. The Ho Chi Minh City Vesak Declaration will be Vietnam's contribution to the mission of fulfilling the United Nations Millennium Development Goals for peace and sustainable development.

According to Venerable Thich Gia Quang, the 20th United Nations Day of Vesak is expected to contribute to promoting tourism development and economic investment in Vietnam.

Also at the press conference, Most Venerable Thich Duc Thien, Head of the Content Committee of the 2025 United Nations Vesak Festival, said that through programs, scientific seminars in English and Vietnamese, cultural and social activities within the framework of the Festival, international friends will have the opportunity to understand more deeply about the historical and cultural traditions of Vietnamese Buddhism over more than 2,000 years of accompanying the nation; the unique spirit of engagement of Vietnamese Buddhism; the contributions of Buddhism in the cause of building and defending the country, in the achievement of national unification through the image of the immortal heart relic of Bodhisattva Thich Quang Duc.

Venerable Thich Duc Thien emphasized a number of special activities within the framework of the United Nations Vesak Festival in Ho Chi Minh City, such as worshiping the Buddha Shakyamuni's relics - a national treasure of India, from May 2 to 8 at Thanh Tam Pagoda (No. 22, Mai Ba Huong Street, Le Minh Xuan Commune, Binh Chanh District, next to the Buddhist Academy); worshiping the heart relics of Bodhisattva Thich Quang Duc from May 3 to 10, at Vietnam National Temple (No. 244, 3-2 Street, District 10).

Official information about the United Nations Vesak 2025 is regularly updated on the official website https://undv2025vietnam.com.

On December 15, 1999, the 54th session of the United Nations General Assembly decided that Vesak or the Three-Day Festival commemorating the birth, enlightenment and passing of Buddha Shakyamuni is a religious and cultural festival for peace.

Since 2000, the United Nations Day of Vesak has been held 19 times at the United Nations headquarters and in countries around the world. Of these, Vietnam has successfully hosted and organized 3 United Nations Day of Vesak in 2008, 2014 and 2019.

According to nhandan.vn

Source: https://baoapbac.vn/van-hoa-nghe-thuat/202504/dai-le-vesak-lien-hop-quoc-2025-su-kien-doi-ngoai-van-hoa-quoc-te-quy-mo-lon-cua-viet-nam-1040520/