OBSERVING VU LAN AT THE SACRED SANCTUARY: SACRED RITUALS, TIMING, AND ESSENTIAL PREPARATIONS

The Meaning of the Vu Lan Festival and Why You Should Return to Ngoa Van During the Season of Filial Piety

The Vu Lan Festival originates from the story of Venerable Maudgalyayana (Muc Kien Lien) - one of the two chief disciples of Shakyamuni Buddha - who used his filial piety and dharma power to save his mother from the realm of suffering. Since then, the full moon day of the seventh lunar month every year has become an occasion for descendants to express gratitude, show filial piety to their parents, and remember their ancestors - not only for Buddhists but for all Vietnamese people.

Among countless venues hosting the Vu Lan festival, Ngoa Van holds a special meaning: this is the very place where Buddhist Emperor Tran Nhan Tong, who once renounced the throne to seek the path of practice, lived his final years and attained Buddhahood. Returning to Ngoa Van during the Vu Lan season, therefore, is not merely a pilgrimage, but also a journey to "follow the footsteps" of the enlightened ruler and true ascetic, to nurture filial piety and gratitude for one's roots.

Time of the Vu Lan Festival at Ngoa Van

According to the traditional calendar, the Vu Lan festival takes place on the full moon day of the seventh lunar month - which in 2026 falls on Thursday, August 27th of the solar calendar. Every year, Ngoa Van Yen Tu organizes a series of Vu Lan activities extending throughout the filial piety season, with a signature program often held being "Following the Buddhist Emperor's Footsteps", gathering hundreds of Buddhists from all over the country to Ngoa Van Hermitage and Pagoda.

Because the specific schedule of each year may change according to the official festival program, tourists and Buddhists should follow the latest announcements on the website and fanpage of Ngoa Van Yen Tu to accurately update the date and time, as well as register to participate (if the program limits the number of attendees).

Vu Lan Festival Rituals at Ngoa Van

A complete Vu Lan journey at Ngoa Van is usually organized in the sequence of the following rituals:

1. Offering incense at Middle Ngoa Van Pagoda and Ngoa Van Hermitage The delegation continues the pilgrimage up to Middle Ngoa Van Pagoda and then to Ngoa Van Hermitage - where the Buddhist Emperor entered Nirvana - to offer incense, bow in veneration, and feel the peace amidst the most sacred sanctuary of Truc Lam Buddhism.

2. Chanting the Ullambana Sutra and practicing filial piety The ritual of chanting sutras to repay gratitude is held solemnly, along with activities to generate merit. This is a moment for everyone to calm their hearts and dedicate merit to their parents and ancestors of many lifetimes.

3. Volunteer activities Many Vu Lan programs at Ngoa Van also integrate charitable activities, sending love to patients, orphans, and disadvantaged circumstances - demonstrating the compassionate spirit of Buddhism along with the filial piety of the Vu Lan season.

4. Candlelight meditation night and lantern offering ceremony Closing the journey is usually a candlelight meditation night at the Ngoa Van Zen garden, where the light of hundreds of candles blends with peaceful prayers, creating the most profound and emotional moment of the festival season.

Things to Prepare When Participating in the Vu Lan Festival at Ngoa Van

Attire: You should choose modest, polite clothing with elegant colors (avoiding overly flashy colors), suitable for the monastery space. Sneakers or comfortable walking shoes will be more convenient than high heels when moving between incense offering points.

Health and physical fitness: The journey may combine walking between relic sites and going up/down the Ngoa Van cable car, so you should prepare good health; especially for the elderly or those with underlying medical conditions, it is advisable to inform the tour organizers in advance.

Items to bring:

• A light jacket or shawl (evenings on the mountain are quite chilly, especially when participating in the candlelight meditation night)
• Personal drinking water, some light vegetarian snacks
• A notebook and pen if you want to take notes or write prayer cards
• A small flashlight if participating in evening activities

Mindset for attendance: You should keep a pure mind, limit noisy talking in the ceremonial space, turn off phone ringtones when entering the main hall area, and follow the organizers' instructions so the ceremony takes place solemnly.

Advance booking: Because Vu Lan programs at Ngoa Van often attract many attending Buddhists and may limit the number of accommodations and transportation, tourists should register and book tours early via the official website or hotline to proactively make arrangements.

Conclusion

A complete Vu Lan season lies not only in the rituals but also in the sincere heart directed toward one's roots. Returning to Ngoa Van - where Buddhist Emperor Tran Nhan Tong lived his final years fully in practice and enlightenment - everyone will find a space that is both sacred and warm to entrust their filial piety.

Follow the official website and fanpage of Ngoa Van Yen Tu to update the detailed schedule and registration rules for this year's Vu Lan program.