Saigon canal glitters for Vesak

By Quynh Tran May 24, 2021 | 01:31 am PT

The Nhieu Loc-Thi Nghe Canal has been decorated with lanterns to celebrate Vesak, marking the birth and enlightenment of the Buddha.

Quan Am Monastery on Truong Sa Street of Phu Nhuan District put seven yellow lanterns in the shape of a lotus flower on the canal, which flows nearly nine km through Districts 1, 3, Phu Nhuan, Tan Binh and Binh Thanh before it joins the Saigon River.With the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic, activities for Vesak Day, which falls on Wednesday, the monastery will be scaled down, with limitations on visitors and prayers and measures on Covid-19 prevention.

Quan Am Monastery on Truong Sa Street of Phu Nhuan District has strung seven yellow lanterns in the shape of a lotus flower along the canal, which flows nearly nine kilometers through Districts 1, 3, Phu Nhuan, Tan Binh and Binh Thanh before joining the Saigon River.
With the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic, activities for Vesak Day, which falls on Wednesday, will be scaled down, along with measures to inhibit the spread of the virus, including limitation on the number of prayers.

Each lantern rises three meters high and spreads five meters wide. Legend has it that when the Buddha was born, he walked seven steps forward and at each step, a lotus flower blossomed under his feet.

Each lantern rises three meters high and spans five meters. Legend has it that when Buddha was born, he walked seven steps forward and at each step, a lotus flower blossomed under his feet.

Paintings of the baby Buddha is hung by the canal along with more lanterns in lotus shape.

Paintings of the baby Buddha are hung along the canal.

Three kilometers away, Phap Hoa Pagoda also shines with lanterns.In the light of Covid-19 measures, the activity of flowing lanterns along the canal will be skipped to avoid mass gathering. Other Vesak rituals will only be held among monks inside the pagoda.

Three kilometers away, Phap Hoa Pagoda glimmers with lantern light.
In light of Covid-19 prevention measures, floating lanterns along the canal will be skipped to avoid mass gatherings. Other Vesak rituals will only be staged among monks inside the pagoda.

The statue of the baby Buddha at the path leading to the pagoda.

The statue of the baby Buddha leading up to Phap Hoa Pagoda.

More lanterns in the pagoda’s precinct next to the canal. The number of lanterns decorated at the pagoda has been cut by half compared to last year.

The number of lanterns decorating the pagoda has been cut by half compared to last year.

Locals come to the pagoda for sightseeing. The pagoda will be opened for visitors but the number of people gathering at once will be limited and all must wear masks to curb the Covid-19 spread.

I passed by this area and saw that it is so beautiful here so I stopped for a while to take a few pictures. I didn’t dare to stay longer though [due to Covid, Phan Huong says. HCMC has recorded six Covid-19 cases so far in the new wave that broke out in Vietnam late last month and has spread to 30 cities and provinces with 2.254 community transmissions as of Monday noon.

"I passed by this beautiful area and I stopped for a while to take a few pictures. I didn’t dare to stay longer though due to Covid," Phan Huong (pictured) said.
HCMC has recorded six Covid-19 cases so far in the new wave that broke out in Vietnam late last month and has spread to 30 cities and provinces with 2,254 community transmissions.

Le Thi Hai Yen prays outside the pagoda. This pandemic has been stressful for all of us and therefore I pray safe for all of us.

Le Thi Hai Yen prays outside the pagoda. "This pandemic has been stressful for all of us and therefore I pray for all of us to be safe."