Vu Lan Festival: Honouring Filial Piety and Remembering Our Roots
The full moon day of the seventh lunar month, known as Vu Lan Festival, holds sacred meaning in Vietnamese culture. It is a time for children to honour and express gratitude to their parents for giving them life and raising them.
Vu Lan is also a celebration of the deep humanistic spirit of the Vietnamese people. It embodies the principle of “drinking water, remember its source,” and promotes gratitude, remembrance of ancestors, and respect for one’s roots.
A Sacred Meaning
The Vu Lan Festival originates from the story of Bodhisattva Mục Kiền Liên (Maudgalyayana), who rescued his mother from the realm of hungry ghosts through his devotion and filial piety. Inspired by his example, the festival became one of the most important Buddhist celebrations in Vietnam and other parts of Asia.
Taking place on the 15th day of the seventh lunar month, Vu Lan reminds people of their duty as children — to be grateful and respectful toward their parents and ancestors. It is a time to honour those who gave us life and nurtured us.
On this day, Vietnamese people show filial respect in various ways. Many visit temples to pray for peace and good health for their living parents and prepare ancestral offerings to pay tribute to past generations.
Offerings vary depending on each family’s means. Some prepare lavish traditional meals, while others offer simple vegetarian dishes. Regardless of scale, the act of preparing offerings is done with sincerity and care, reflecting heartfelt gratitude toward one’s ancestors and lineage.
Even those who have lived abroad for many years do not forget the Vu Lan Festival. On this day, they turn their hearts toward Vietnam, remembering and honouring their parents with deep affection.
Ms. Nguyễn Thanh Loan, currently living in Germany, shared that being a child means always holding filial piety in one’s heart. In the fast pace of modern life, the full moon day of this special month is a rare pause to reconnect with family and express good wishes to parents.
“Though far from home, my family still prepares an ancestral meal. It’s a meaningful way to remind our children of their roots. We always pray for our parents in Vietnam to stay healthy and happy,” she said.
For Mr. Trần Tuấn Nghĩa from Cầu Giấy District, Hanoi, Vu Lan is a time for family bonding. His family usually visits the temple to pray for peace and then travels to his hometown to visit his parents. This year, they also chose not to burn votive paper offerings during their ancestral rites.
Spreading Humanistic Values
According to the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha, Vu Lan Festival has intertwined with Vietnamese traditions of filial piety, ancestor worship, and remembrance. It is a time for people to express love, respect, and gratitude to parents and grandparents, while also commemorating the country’s heroes and martyrs.
To further promote the spirit of Vu Lan, the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha has encouraged local Buddhist associations to engage in meaningful activities such as visiting and supporting war veterans, Heroic Vietnamese Mothers, and families of martyrs. Temples are also organising prayer ceremonies, candlelight vigils, and memorials for fallen heroes.
The Sangha advocates for a modern, practical approach — encouraging people to replace the burning of votive papers with acts of charity, kindness, and tangible support for the underprivileged.
As recorded by Hà Nội Mới reporters, temples in Hanoi have been carefully preparing serene and welcoming spaces for people to come and pray during Vu Lan. The number of visitors has gradually increased since the start of the lunar month, avoiding overcrowding near the full moon day. Scenes at temples like Quán Sứ, Bà Đá, and Phúc Khánh have remained peaceful and orderly.
Meanwhile, Hàng Mã Street — once bustling with sales of votive goods — has become noticeably quieter. Shop owner Hà Bé noted that in recent years, fewer people have been buying these items due to shifting practices.
It’s clear that Vu Lan is being embraced in a broader sense — as a day to deepen social awareness about gratitude and kindness. It encourages people to show appreciation not only to their parents but also to teachers, mentors, ancestors, and national heroes.
In a fast-paced world where traditional values can be overlooked, the Vu Lan Festival serves as an important reminder of the enduring importance of family, cultural heritage, and the timeless virtue of filial piety.