Taking place from March 16 to 19 (or the 17th to 20th days of the second lunar month), the festival deeply rooted in Buddhist traditions honours Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva, the bodhisattva of infinite compassion and mercy.

It not only serves as a significant religious gathering but also preserves and promotes the spiritual and cultural identity of Vietnam. It embodies a harmonious blend of Buddhism and national traditions, fostering compassion, peace, and a sense of unity among people.

With its recognition as a National Intangible Cultural Heritage by the Ministry of Culture, Sports, and Tourism in 2021, the festival highlights the importance of preserving and celebrating Vietnam’s rich spiritual heritage, attracting both local and international visitors to experience its profound cultural significance.

The festival features a variety of activities that are expected to attract tens of thousands of Buddhists, locals, and visitors for sightseeing and worship. On March 16 and 17, the organizing committee is holding a sutra opening ceremony, an exhibition of paintings, photographs, and calligraphy.

It also includes folk cultural activities, an incense-offering ceremony in remembrance of Princess Huyen Tran, a spring offering ritual to pray for national peace and prosperity, and an art programme themed “Radiant Jade Lotus Platform” to celebrate the event.

At 7:00 AM on March 18, the main ceremony of the festival, the Veneration of Avalokiteshvara Bodhisattva, is expected to welcome tens of thousands of attendees who will pray for national peace, prosperity, and the happiness of the people.

On March 18, various cultural activities will also take place, including a traditional boat race, a Vietnamese vegetarian food space, an artistic kite performance, cultural art shows, and a meditative lantern procession.

Speaking at the opening ceremony, Tran Chi Cuong, vice chairman of the Da Nang administration, emphasized that the Quan The Am Festival embodies the essence of Buddhist cultural values and the heritage of Ngu Hanh Son. It serves as a clear example of the harmonious fusion between Buddhism and the Vietnamese nation.

The festival remains an attractive destination, not only for domestic visitors but also for international travelers seeking to experience and understand the country’s rich Buddhist heritage and cultural history, said Cuong.

Alongside the Ngu Hanh Son Special National Monument and the Ma Nhai inscriptions – a UNESCO Memory of the World Documentary Heritage for the Asia-Pacific region, the Quan The Am Festival is one of the most spiritually significant events for the people of Da Nang.

This year marks the third time the festival has been organized at a citywide level, featuring increasingly diverse and captivating activities to better meet the spiritual and cultural needs of Buddhist followers and visitors.

In 2000, the Quan The Am – Ngu Hanh Son Festival was recognized by the Vietnam National Authority of Tourism as one of the country’s 15 major festivals. In 2021, the festival was designated as a National Intangible Cultural Heritage by the Ministry of Culture, Sports, and Tourism. Since 2023, the Da Nang administration has taken the lead in organizing the festival on a citywide scale.

The closing ceremony will be held on March 19 to include running and walking events for peace in 2025.

Quan The Am festival of Buddhists to kick off soon in Da Nang

VOV.VN - The Quan The Am (Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva) festival 2025, one of the country’s largest Buddhist festivals, is scheduled to take place at Ngu Hanh Son (the Marble Mountain) in the central city of Da Nang from March 16 to 19.