By around 8:30 p.m. the hour-long procession reached Viet Nam Quoc Tu (Vietnamese National Buddhist Temple) in District 10, the main venue for this year's Vesak celebrations.
The event was one of the opening activities for Buddha's Birthday Week (Buddhist calendar year 2569) organized by the Cultural Committee of the Ho Chi Minh City Buddhist Sangha.
During the procession in HCMC on Monday, the palanquin carrying the golden statue moved slowly along Ba Thang Hai Street followed by a long line of devotees. Crowds gathered along both sides of the street, respectfully greeting the statue and offering prayers as it passed.
The route covered four kilometers from An Quang Pagoda, passing through Su Van Hanh and Ngo Gia Tu Streets, Ly Thai To Roundabout, Dien Bien Phu Street, Cao Thang Street, and Ba Thang Hai Street before reaching Viet Nam Quoc Tu.
Monks solemnly held statues depicting the newborn Buddha standing atop lotus flowers, a sacred Buddhist symbol. According to Buddhist beliefs, just after birth the Buddha took seven steps, with each step miraculously sprouting a lotus flower.
Following the monks in the processions was a line of devotees dressed in traditional attire also carrying Buddha idols.
Cam Ly (C), a university student who was wearing a traditional Vietnamese dress, said: “I’m really honored to be involved in such an important celebration this Vesak.”
This year's procession had 40 floral parade floats, representing various Buddhist committees, traditions such as Mahayana, Theravada and Mendicant Buddhism and delegations from the Ho Chi Minh City Buddhist Sangha and Thu Duc City Buddhist Sangha.
Nguyen Thi Nhan, 65, from Tan Phu District, prayed respectfully each time a float carrying a Buddha statue passed by.
She said: "Buddha’s birthday is a very important day for Buddhists. I attend this event in front of Viet Nam Quoc Tu Pagoda every year."
Upon arrival at Viet Nam Quoc Tu, the statue was respectfully moved to the main stage area in front of the main hall, where a ceremonial bathing ritual was performed.
