Close-up of Buddha's relics at Thanh Tam Pagoda, Ho Chi Minh City

On the morning of May 2, a military plane carrying Buddha's relics - India's national treasure - accompanied by the Indian Parliamentary Secretary, landed at Tan Son Nhat International Airport, Ho Chi Minh City.

After the solemn transfer ceremony, the relics were brought to the Vietnam Buddhist Academy in Ho Chi Minh City (campus II) - the venue for the 2025 United Nations Vesak Festival. From here, the relics were invited to Thanh Tam Pagoda (Lonely Buddha, Binh Chanh District, Ho Chi Minh City) - the official place of worship for monks, nuns, Buddhists and people from May 3 to noon 8.

Close-up of Buddha's relics - India's national treasure at Thanh Tam Pagoda.

Previously, the Ritual Committee of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha had fully prepared specialized means and necessary equipment to welcome the Buddha's relics.

The Buddha's relics are India's national treasures and are currently enshrined in the National Museum in New Delhi. According to Indian diplomatic regulations, each time a relic is taken abroad it is considered a state-level event, equivalent to a state visit by a head of state.

Previously, on May 1, at the National Museum in New Delhi (India), the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha coordinated with the International Buddhist Confederation (IBC) and the Vietnamese Embassy in India to organize a ceremony to receive and procession the Buddha's relics.

The ceremony was attended by Vietnamese Ambassador to India Nguyen Thanh Hai; a delegation of 25 monks from the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha led by Most Venerable Thich Hue Thong; Most Venerable Thich Phuoc Nguyen and Most Venerable Thich Nhat Tu co-chaired the ceremony.

In addition, the ceremony was attended by more than 120 Vietnamese monks and nuns studying in India, representatives of the Indian Government, the World Buddhist Federation and many international Buddhists.

According to Venerable Thich Nhat Tu, the procession of Buddha's relics to Vietnam has three great meanings: Affirming the deep friendship between Vietnam and India; being a sacred spiritual and cultural gift from the Indian Government for the 2025 Vesak Festival; and at the same time contributing to enhancing Vietnam's position as a bridge connecting the spiritual culture of the world Buddhist community.

The 2025 Vesak Celebration, co-organized by the International Committee for the United Nations Day of Vesak (ICDV) and the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha, will take place from May 6 to 8 at the Vietnam Buddhist Academy in Ho Chi Minh City. 85 countries and territories are expected to attend.