Tens of thousands of visitors arrived at Bai Dinh Pagoda, in Ninh Binh Province, including Buddhist pilgrims and international delegations, to attend the 11th United Nations Day Vesak.

Visitors begin to arrive at Bai Dinh Pagoda on May 7 

Sometimes called "Buddha's birthday", Vesak is a celebration which commemorates the Buddha's birth, enlightenment, death and passing into nirvana. The events surrounding the occasion are aimed at boosting the role of Vietnamese Buddhism in international integration.

Around 10,000 delegations and 1,500 representatives from 95 countries will be in attendance of the festival, lasting from May 8-10, along with thousands of Vietnamese pilgrims. Deputy Prime Minister of Thailand, the King of Cambodia and other leaders are also expected.

The organising board made a statement that the number of visitors to Bai Dinh Pagoda in the last two days has reached 25,000.

Side events, such as photo exhibitions, souvenir shops and book presentations, also attract a many visitors.

Nguyen Van Thien, a pilgrim from Thai Nguyen Province said, "This is the second time I've come to Bai Dinh Pagoda, and this time it coincides with the festival. My first impression is that it is much more bustling."

 Pilgrims sleep outdoors

A bus driver, who works at Bai Dinh Pagoda, said they have had to increase the the number of buses in order to meet demand. Many visitors who could not find a hotel or guest house have resorted to sleeping outdoors.

 Buddhist flag at Dai Bi Pagoda

Yesterday, the Asia Book of Records granted a certificate for the largest Buddhist flag made of flowers at Dai Bi Pagoda, in Gia Xuan Commune, Ninh Binh Province.