Vietnam to host Vesak 2025 with 2,700 delegates from 85 countries, territories

The Vesak 2025 Press Center, located at the Vietnam Buddhist University, officially opened on Friday to provide accurate and timely information to both domestic and international media.

The center is also designed to support journalists and broadcasters covering the event.

Vesak is a sacred festival commemorating the birth, enlightenment, and passing of the Buddha.

Speaking at a press conference held the same day, Most Venerable Thich Duc Thien, vice-president and general secretary of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha and the Vesak 2025 organizing committee, outlined the main activities and preparations for the global Buddhist celebration.

Nguyen Duy Tan, head of the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Ethnic and Religious Affairs, confirmed that preparations are nearly complete.

The event area is supported by three spacious parking lots with shuttle services to the main venue.

In addition to the opening and closing ceremonies and academic conference sessions, the UN Vesak Day 2025 will feature cultural programs, a first-ever exhibition of 87 national Buddhist treasures, a grand Buddhist flag-raising ceremony with a 500-square-meter flag, and a lotus lantern festival.

Most Venerable Tampalawela Dhammaratana, vice-president of the International Council for the United Nations Day of Vesak, praised Vietnam’s thorough preparation for the celebration.

The Vesak 2025 is co-organized by the International Council for the United Nations Day of Vesak and the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha, with the theme ‘Unity and Inclusivity for Human Dignity: Buddhist Insights for World Peace and Sustainable Development.’

This is the fourth time Vietnam has hosted the UN-recognized Vesak celebration, following previous editions in Hanoi (2008), Ninh Binh Province (2014), and Ha Nam Province (2019).

The UN Day of Vesak 2026 will be hosted by China.