Summary of must-see tourist destinations for Vesak 2025

1. Domestic tourist destinations for Vesak 2025

1.1. Hanoi - Perfume Pagoda

Huong Pagoda - A prominent spiritual destination during the Vesak 2025 Buddhist festival, where visitors can find peace amidst majestic natural surroundings. (Photo: Collected)

Located approximately 60km south of Hanoi, Huong Pagoda is one of Vietnam's most famous spiritual sites. With its vast grounds, the pagoda is built amidst the beautiful natural scenery of mountains and forests, creating a serene and peaceful atmosphere. During the Vesak Buddhist festival, Huong Pagoda attracts thousands of tourists and Buddhists from all over, participating in chanting, offering incense, and releasing floating lanterns. Visitors can take boat trips on the Yen Stream, visit Buddhist relics, and admire the pagodas in the area, including Thien Tru Pagoda and Huong Tich Pagoda, where special activities take place during the festival.

1.2. Ha Nam - Dia Tang Phi Lai Pagoda

Dia Tang Phi Lai Pagoda, a sacred site in Ha Nam province, is where solemn Buddha's Birthday ceremonies are held during the Vesak festival. (Photo: Collected)

Located in Kim Bang District, Ha Nam Province, Dia Tang Phi Lai Pagoda is famous for its large statue of the Bodhisattva Ksitigarbha and other works of art honoring Buddhism. During the Vesak Buddha's Birthday celebration, the pagoda holds solemn ceremonies attended by thousands of Buddhists. The pagoda boasts a spacious grounds surrounded by flower gardens and a lake, creating a peaceful and tranquil atmosphere ideal for religious ceremonies and chanting.

1.3. Ninh Binh: Trang An - Tam Coc Bich Dong

Trang An and Tam Coc Bich Dong - These stunning scenic spots in Ninh Binh are ideal destinations for the Vesak Buddha Day celebration in 2025. (Photo: Collected)

Ninh Binh is one of the must-visit spiritual tourism destinations during the Buddha's Birthday celebration. Trang An - Tam Coc - Bich Dong are prominent landmarks, recognized by UNESCO as World Heritage Sites. Tam Coc - Bich Dong, with its three famous caves located along the Ngo Dong River and surrounded by towering limestone mountains, is where visitors can admire the beauty of nature and participate in Buddha's Birthday rituals. At Bai Dinh Pagoda, one of the largest pagodas in Vietnam, Buddhists can participate in chanting, offering incense, and worshiping Buddha in a solemn atmosphere.

1.4. Tay Ninh - Ba Den Mountain Scenic Area

The Ba Den Mountain scenic area in Tay Ninh, where Buddhist ceremonies take place in a sacred and serene atmosphere. (Photo: Collected)

The Ba Den Mountain scenic area is not only famous for its magnificent natural landscapes but also a major Buddhist pilgrimage site in Southern Vietnam. During the Buddha's Birthday celebration, the area attracts a large number of Buddhists and tourists who come to participate in rituals, make offerings, and go on pilgrimages. Some notable temples within this complex include:

Ba Den Pagoda: Located at an altitude of 1000m on the mountaintop, Ba Den Pagoda is the main destination in the Ba Den Mountain scenic area, attracting thousands of visitors during the Buddha's Birthday celebration. The pagoda has ancient architecture, nestled amidst a cool and peaceful natural setting.
Hang Pagoda: A small pagoda located inside a cave, notable for its tranquil atmosphere, suitable for meditation and prayer during festivals.
Linh Son Pagoda: This pagoda is famous for its large Buddha statue and sacred atmosphere, attracting many pilgrims during the Buddha's Birthday celebration.

This is an ideal location for visitors to participate in solemn rituals and pray for peace and well-being for themselves and their families.

1.5. Binh Chanh - Phap Tang Pagoda

Phap Tang Pagoda in Binh Chanh, the venue for the Vesak Buddha's Birthday festival, offers a serene and peaceful atmosphere for pilgrims. (Photo: Collected)

Phap Tang Pagoda, one of the largest pagodas in Ho Chi Minh City, is a prominent destination during the Buddha's Birthday celebration. With its unique Buddhist architecture, the pagoda hosts ceremonies for peace and well-being, animal release rituals, and charitable activities. It is an ideal place for visitors to participate in solemn Buddha's Birthday ceremonies and find inner peace and tranquility.

1.6. An Giang - Ba Chua Xu Temple at Sam Mountain

Ba Chua Xu Temple at Sam Mountain, a famous pilgrimage site in An Giang. (Photo: Collected)

The Lady of Sam Mountain Temple is one of the most sacred pilgrimage sites in An Giang province. The temple is built in traditional architecture, with three floors and a soaring roof. The statue of the Lady of Sam Mountain is carved from sandstone and possesses high artistic value. Every year, during the Lady's festival (April 24-27 in the lunar calendar), the temple holds many important ceremonies, attracting a large number of tourists and Buddhists. During Buddha's Birthday, the temple organizes Buddha's Birthday ceremonies and a release of animals ceremony, praying for peace and well-being for the community.

1.7. Bao Loc - Linh Quy Phap An Pagoda

Linh Quy Pháp Ấn Pagoda, an ideal location for those seeking peace and tranquility during the Vesak Buddha's Birthday celebration. (Photo: Collected)

Located in Bao Loc, Lam Dong, Linh Quy Phap An Pagoda is a wonderful place to participate in Buddha's Birthday rituals in a serene and cool atmosphere. The pagoda is renowned for its beautiful architecture and majestic surrounding natural scenery, making it a favorite pilgrimage destination for many Buddhists and tourists.

1.8. Dalat - Samten Hills Dalat

Samten Hills Dalat, a Tibetan-style temple, offers a unique spiritual and meditative space during the Vesak Buddha's Birthday celebration. (Photo: Collected)

Samten Hills Dalat is a complex of Vajrayana Buddhist architecture, led by the Venerable Drubwang Sonam Jorfel Rinpoche. It combines the picturesque natural beauty of Don Duong with a peaceful spiritual atmosphere. Visitors can participate in meditation activities and seek inner peace. Notably, the temple's architecture is designed in the Tibetan style, with distinctive motifs and colors. This is an ideal place to find inner peace during the Vesak Buddha's Birthday celebration.

2. Overseas tourist destinations for Vesak 2025

2.1. Luang Prabang (Laos)

The temples in Luang Prabang, the cultural center of Buddhism in Laos, hold a colorful and solemn Vesak festival. (Photo: Collected)

Luang Prabang, the ancient city of Laos, is famous for its temples such as Wat Xieng Thong and Wat Mai. The Vesak Buddhist festival here is incomplete without the rituals of chanting, offering incense, and releasing floating lanterns. Visitors can participate in these solemn ceremonies, experience the peaceful atmosphere of this Buddhist land, and combine sightseeing with exploring the historical sites and local culture.

2.2. Ayutthaya (Thailand)

The ancient Ayutthaya site, home to many historical temples, is a prominent destination during the Vesak Buddhist festival in Thailand. (Photo: Collected)

Ayutthaya is a World Heritage site with many ancient temples. Vesak (Buddha's Birthday) in Ayutthaya is celebrated with great fanfare, featuring ceremonies honoring the Buddha and processions through the streets. Visitors can explore historical sites such as Wat Phra Si Sanphet and Wat Mahathat, and immerse themselves in the ancient Buddhist atmosphere of the city.

2.3. Kandy (Sri Lanka)

The Tooth Relic Temple in Kandy, where the impressive Vesak festival takes place with its candle processions and vibrant parades. (Photo: Collected)

Kandy, the center of Buddhism in Sri Lanka, is notable for the Temple of the Tooth, which houses a tooth of the Buddha. During Vesak (Buddhist festival), Kandy hosts a candlelight procession featuring numerous parades, drums, trumpets, and lion dances. The vibrant festive atmosphere, combined with the sacredness of the Temple of the Tooth, creates a truly unique spiritual experience.

2.4. Bodh Gaya (India)

Bodh Gaya – the place where Buddha attained enlightenment under the Bodhi tree – attracts thousands of Buddhists to celebrate Vesak (Buddha's Birthday) every year. (Photo: Collected)

Bodh Gaya, where the Buddha attained enlightenment under the Bodhi tree, is one of the most important pilgrimage sites in Buddhism. The Mahabodhi Temple here is a World Heritage site, where the solemn and profound Vesak Buddha Day ceremonies take place. Bodh Gaya attracts thousands of Buddhists and tourists from all over the world to participate in chanting, meditation, and candle-lighting rituals, creating a unique spiritual atmosphere.

2.5. Thian Hock Ken (Singapore)

Thian Hock Keng Pagoda in Singapore, where solemn Vesak Buddhist ceremonies take place with candle processions and lantern releases. (Photo: Collected)

Singapore is one of the countries that celebrates Vesak (Buddha's Birthday) on a grand scale. Famous temples such as Thian Hock Keng Temple and the Temple of the Tooth Relic in Chinatown hold solemn Vesak celebrations, with activities such as candle processions, releasing animals into the wild, and floating lanterns on the sea. This is a special occasion to participate in community activities and enjoy the sacred atmosphere.

2.6. Borobudur (Indonesia)

The Borobudur temple complex in Indonesia, home to the largest Vesak Buddha Day celebration, attracts tourists and Buddhists alike who come to participate in spiritual rituals. (Photo: Collected)

Buddha's Birthday in Indonesia is celebrated at the Borobudur temple complex, home to the world's largest Buddha statue. The Borobudur celebration attracts thousands of Buddhists who participate in rituals such as offering incense, praying, and meditating. This is a wonderful opportunity for visitors to admire and learn about the history and significance of Borobudur.

2.7. Kek Lok Si (Malaysia)

Kek Lok Si, a famous temple in Malaysia, hosts Vesak (Buddhist festival) celebrations, attracting a large number of tourists and Buddhist followers. (Photo: Collected)

Malaysia also celebrates Vesak (Buddha's Birthday) with prayer ceremonies, candle processions, and the release of animals. Large temples such as Kek Lok Si in Penang hold solemn ceremonies and attract large numbers of visitors. It is not only a spiritual pilgrimage site but also a place to explore Malaysian Buddhist culture and customs.

Vesak 2025 is a wonderful opportunity for travelers to discover spiritual destinations both domestically and internationally, immersing themselves in the solemn and profound atmosphere of the Buddha's birthday rituals. Whether in Vietnam or in famous Buddhist countries, your journey will be a special occasion for contemplation and finding inner peace.

Source: https://www.vietravel.com/vn/am-thuc-kham-pha/nhung-dia-diem-du-lich-le-phat-dan-vesak-2025-v16975.aspx