The relic pilgrimage journey spans four locations: Thanh Tam Pagoda in Ho Chi Minh City, Ba Den Pagoda in Tay Ninh, Quan Su Pagoda in Hanoi, and Tam Chuc Pagoda in Ha Nam.
1. Thanh Tam Pagoda
Ap 3, Le Minh Xuan commune, Binh Chanh district, Ho Chi Minh City.
Established in 2007, Thanh Tam Pagoda, also known as the Pagoda of the Lonely Buddha, is located within the premises of the Vietnam Buddhist Academy’s Campus II. The pagoda features a simple yet solemn architecture, with a main hall housing a statue of Sakyamuni Buddha. Its spacious grounds accommodate large numbers of Buddhist followers. As part of the Vietnam Buddhist Academy, the pagoda plays a significant role in training monks and nuns and Buddhist studies. This is the starting point of the pilgrimage journey to welcome the Buddha’s relics in Vietnam.
Crowds paying homage to the Buddha’s relics at Thanh Tam Pagoda on May 3rd. Photo: Thanh Tung
Schedule:
On May 2nd, the Buddha’s relics were brought from New Delhi, India, on a military aircraft C-130J-30, arriving at Tan Son Nhat Airport at 7:45 am. After the welcoming ceremony, the relics were paraded to the Vietnam Buddhist Academy and enshrined at Thanh Tam Pagoda.
From May 3rd to 8th, the pagoda is open for people to pay respects to the relics from 6 am to 10 pm daily. The organizers do not charge any fees or accept offerings, and visitors are requested to maintain silence and refrain from taking photographs.
2. Ba Den Pagoda
National Tourist Area of Ba Den Mountain, Ninh Son ward, Tay Ninh province.
Perched atop Ba Den Mountain at an elevation of over 900 meters, Ba Den Pagoda is a renowned spiritual destination in Southern Vietnam. The pagoda was constructed in the 18th century and is associated with the legend of Linh Son Holy Mother (Ba Den), a figure revered for her compassion and protection. The pagoda combines Buddhist worship with folk beliefs, housing statues of Sakyamuni Buddha and Ba Den. The Ba Den Mountain Tourist Area now features a cable car system, facilitating access for visitors. The pagoda attracts millions of Buddhists and tourists annually, especially during the spring festival.
Ba Den Pagoda sits atop Ba Den Mountain. Photo: Phuoc Tuan
Schedule:
On the afternoon of May 8th, the relics will be transported from Thanh Tam Pagoda to Ba Den Pagoda, where an solemn enshrinement ceremony will take place.
From May 9th to 12th, the pagoda will be open for people and Buddhists to pay respects to the relics from 5 am to 10 pm.
3. Quan Su Pagoda
73 Quan Su Street, Tran Hung Dao ward, Hoan Kiem district, Hanoi.
Quan Su Pagoda, built in the 15th century during the reign of King Le The Tong, is one of the oldest pagodas in Hanoi. Initially constructed to accommodate envoys from neighboring countries, it derived its name ”Quan Su” (envoy’s residence). The pagoda currently serves as the headquarters of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha, playing a central role in organizing national Buddhist activities. The architecture of the pagoda reflects the traditional style of Northern Vietnam, with a main hall dedicated to Sakyamuni Buddha, flanked by statues of Manjusri and Samantabhadra Bodhisattvas. The compound includes a three-entrance gate, a bell tower, and a garden, creating a serene ambiance in the heart of the capital. The pagoda also houses valuable artifacts such as bronze bells, ancient Buddha statues, and wooden-carved sutras.
Schedule: On the morning of May 13th, the relics will be transported from Ba Den Pagoda to Hanoi and enshrined at Quan Su Pagoda.
From May 14th to 16th, the pagoda will be open for visitors to pay homage to the relics from 6 am to 9 pm.
4. Tam Chuc Pagoda
Ba Sao town, Kim Bang district, Ha Nam province.
Tam Chuc Pagoda, originally built during the Dinh dynasty (10th century) and renovated on a large scale since 2016, is one of the largest pagodas in the world, with a spiritual tourism area spanning nearly 5,000 hectares. Located amidst the Tam Chuc lake, surrounded by the That Tinh mountain range and natural forests, the pagoda boasts notable structures such as the Tam The Hall (worshipping the Buddhas of the past, present, and future), the Quan Am Hall, the Phap Chu Hall, and the 13-story Ngoc Tower. The pagoda houses precious treasures, including the largest bronze Buddha statue in Southeast Asia and a sacred relic from Sri Lanka. Tam Chuc Pagoda hosted the United Nations Day of Vesak in 2019.
Gray herons flying over Tam Chuc lake. Photo: Ha Vu Linh
Schedule:
On the morning of May 17th, the relics will be transported from Quan Su Pagoda to Tam Chuc Pagoda.
From May 17th to 21st, the pagoda will be open for visitors to pay respects to the relics.
On the afternoon of May 21st, a farewell ceremony will be held, after which the relics will be escorted to Noi Bai International Airport for their return to India.
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