Phap Hoa Pagoda shines brightly during the Buddha's Birthday celebration in 2026.

These days, Phap Hoa Pagoda (Nhieu Loc Ward, Ho Chi Minh City) is brightly decorated with flags, flowers, and lotus flower models, attracting many locals and Buddhists to visit and take photos.

Phap Hoa Pagoda is beautifully decorated ahead of the Buddha's Birthday Celebration (Buddhist calendar 2570) - Photo: VAN TRUNG

Walking along the streets around Phap Hoa Pagoda (Nhieu Loc Ward, Ho Chi Minh City), Buddhists and locals can feel the atmosphere of the Buddha's birthday season as the area is decorated with flags, flowers, and vibrant lotus flower models.

Phap Hoa Pagoda is one of the familiar spiritual destinations every time the Buddha's birthday season arrives. As usual, this year the pagoda has been decorated and prepared to celebrate the Great Buddha's Birthday Festival, Buddhist calendar 2570, since early on.

Around the pagoda, along the banks of the Nhieu Loc canal, vibrant pink lotus flowers adorn the area, especially at night when it glows with light.

Venerable Thich Quang Minh, abbot of Phap Hoa Pagoda, announced that the Lantern Festival celebrating Buddha's birthday will take place at 5:30 PM on May 28th (April 12th in the lunar calendar).

During the cultural week celebrating Buddha's birthday, there are also many other activities such as: From May 18th to 29th (April 2nd to 13th in the lunar calendar), at 6 PM, there will be a four-part ceremony and chanting of Buddha's birthday sutras; on May 24th (April 8th in the lunar calendar), there will be a ceremony of taking refuge in the Three Jewels at 3 PM; and on May 31st (April 15th in the lunar calendar), at 9 AM, there will be a Buddha's birthday ceremony and bathing of the Buddha statue.

Phap Hoa Pagoda is one of the familiar spiritual sites for people in Ho Chi Minh City every Buddha's Birthday season - Photo: VAN TRUNG

Phap Hoa Pagoda is one of the sacred ancient temples that attracts a large number of tourists and Buddhists who come to worship and pay their respects.

The pagoda was built by Venerable Monk Dao Ha Thanh in 1928, the year of Mau Thin, in the Northern Buddhist architectural style, with a layout including: a triple-arched gate, a courtyard, the main hall, and a row of ancestral houses.

The temple, situated beside the Nhieu Loc canal, is nearly a hundred years old. The path leading to the main hall is shaded by large trees.