Release thousands of flower lanterns into Dong Nai River to pray for peace

People flocked to Ong Pagoda to release 3,340 flower lanterns into the Dong Nai River to pray for peace and happiness in the new year.

On the evening of February 22 (January 13), the Organizing Committee of the Ong Pagoda Festival (Hiep Hoa Ward, Bien Hoa City, Dong Nai Province) released nearly 3,340 flower lanterns into the Dong Nai River.

The program just started at 6pm, but from 3pm, flower lanterns were prepared to fill the temple yard.

Releasing thousands of flower lanterns into Dong Nai River to pray for peace photo 1

Ong Pagoda was built in 1684, located next to Dong Nai River. This is one of the oldest pagodas in the South in Bien Hoa, marking the historical milestone of the coexistence of the Vietnamese and Chinese communities in the process of reclaiming, establishing a career, and protecting the land of Bien Hoa - Dong Nai.

The flower lantern release is to celebrate the 340th anniversary of the establishment of Ong Pagoda (1684-2024). The flower petals represent the sincerity of the people with the wish for national peace, social prosperity, and people's happiness.

The organizers used a ferry to transport the lanterns to the middle of the Dong Nai River (near Ghenh Bridge) and then released them into the middle of the river.

After the lanterns drift downstream (Buu Hoa bridge), the organizers mobilized small boats and ferries to salvage all the lanterns (when the candles went out) and burn them to protect the environment.

The flower lantern release program attracted a large number of domestic and international tourists standing on both banks of the Dong Nai River to watch.

Releasing thousands of flower lanterns into Dong Nai River to pray for peace photo 2

The monk was invited to perform a peace-praying ceremony before more than 3,000 lanterns were released into the Dong Nai River.

The 2024 Ong Pagoda Festival, organized by the People's Committee of Dong Nai province, will take place from February 18 to 22. This year's festival will welcome many international and domestic delegations. Within the framework of the festival, activities will take place such as: God welcoming ceremony; Heaven worship ceremony and balloon releasing; Peace praying ceremony; Lantern releasing ceremony.

Ong Pagoda Festival is an opportunity for people to worship and pay homage to the ancestors who contributed to the development and construction of Bien Hoa - Dong Nai; thereby demonstrating the beauty of cultural exchange between local ethnic communities. Ong Pagoda Festival has been listed as a National Intangible Cultural Heritage by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism.

Ong Pagoda worships Quan Thanh De Quan (Quan Cong), Thien Hau Thanh Mau... Quan Cong is a character of the Three Kingdoms period with a loyal heart and heroic spirit.

Releasing thousands of flower lanterns into Dong Nai River to pray for peace photo 3

On each lantern, people write their names and wishes to send their loved ones good luck in the new year.

Releasing thousands of flower lanterns into Dong Nai River to pray for peace photo 4

In addition to the 7 large lanterns symbolizing the ancient Seven Palaces Temple, there are also 340 medium-sized lanterns representing the age of the temple and 3,000 small lanterns of the people.