Solemn ceremony of offering Thai Royal Kathina robes at Viet Nam Quoc Tu Pagoda

lễ dâng y Kathina - Ảnh 1. — Scene of the Thai Royal Kathina robe offering ceremony at Vietnam National Temple - Photo: HUU HANH

On the morning of November 1, the Thai Royal Kathina robe offering ceremony took place at Viet Nam Quoc Tu Pagoda (HCMC).

This is the 18th time the Thai Ministry of Foreign Affairs has organized the Royal Thai Kathina robe offering ceremony in Vietnam, aiming to strengthen international relations, especially exchanges between the people of Vietnam and Thailand.

Attending the ceremony were Most Venerable Thich Tri Quang - Supreme Patriarch of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha Council; and other venerable dignitaries of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha;

Mr. Pham Minh Tuan - Vice Chairman of the Vietnam Fatherland Front Committee of Ho Chi Minh City; Mr. Tran Xuan Thuy - Deputy Director of the Department of Foreign Affairs of Ho Chi Minh City, Ms. Le Thi Dieu Linh - Vice Chairman of the Union of Friendship Organizations of Ho Chi Minh City...;

Mr. Wichawat Isarapakdi - Assistant Minister of Foreign Affairs of Thailand; Ms. Urawadee Sripirom - Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Kingdom of Thailand in Hanoi ...

lễ dâng y Kathina - Ảnh 2. — Kathina robe offering ceremony - Photo: HUU HANH

Strengthening Vietnam - Thailand friendship through Buddhism

According to the organizers, the activity aims to celebrate the 50th anniversary of establishing diplomatic relations between Vietnam and Thailand in 2026.

The robe offering ceremony is not only a traditional ritual of offering robes to create merit with noble spiritual value, but also an activity to strengthen friendship and cultural exchange between Vietnam and Thailand.

In a solemn atmosphere, Assistant Minister of Foreign Affairs of Thailand Wichawat Isarapakdi offered clothes, items, and money to the Supreme Patriarch of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha.

The Royal Thai Kathina was bestowed by His Majesty King Maha Vajiralongkorn Phra Vajiraklaochaoyuhua of Thailand to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Thailand, to be presented to the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha.

lễ dâng y Kathina - Ảnh 3. — Supreme Patriarch of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha Thich Tri Quang at the ceremony - Photo: HUU HANH

Before speaking, Assistant Minister of Foreign Affairs of Thailand Wichawat Isarapakdi expressed his deep condolences and tribute to Queen Mother Sirikit - mother of the King of Thailand.

Mr. Wichawat Isarapakdi emphasized that the Kathina robe offering ceremony aims to promote Buddhism, at the same time enhance cultural exchange and foster friendship and mutual understanding between the Thai people and countries with the same Buddhist beliefs.

“Over the past 31 years, the Thai Government has performed the Kathina robe offering ceremony 198 times in 13 countries. Buddhism is the spiritual foundation that our two countries have respected and preserved for generations.

This is not only a fulcrum that brings peace and harmony, but also a bridge of friendship, connecting the people of the two countries with understanding, compassion and respect for common cultural values," said Mr. Wichawat Isarapakdi.

lễ dâng y Kathina - Ảnh 4. — Mr. Wichawat Isarapakdi speaks at the Royal Thai Kathina Robe Offering Ceremony at Viet Nam Quoc Tu Temple - Photo: HUU HANH

The Royal Thai Kathina Robe Offering Ceremony has been held annually by the Thai Ministry of Foreign Affairs at overseas monasteries since 1995.

This initiative is extended from neighboring countries to countries in the ASEAN, South Asia and East Asia regions to strengthen friendship and enhance people-to-people connections through Buddhism.

In 2025, the Royal Thai Kathina robe offering ceremony will be held in 8 countries including: India, Myanmar, Malaysia, Bhutan, Sri Lanka, China, Laos and Vietnam.