Vietnamese people nation-wide have been visiting pagodas to worship the Buddha and pray for good things on first full moon festival on January 15 of the lunar calendar.

The first full-moon festival is one of the most important events of the year in Vietnam and many well-known pagodas in Hanoi, such as Phuc Khanh, Tran Quoc and Quan Su have received many visitors and pilgrims over the last couple days.

 The first full moon is considered the day
when the Buddha is present in pagodas

Hanoians pray for good things 

 People visit pagodas

Selling offerings

People in HCM City also go to pagodas on January 14 and 15 of lunar calendar and make floating rice cakes for the event. The monks chant the sutras and advise pilgrims to chant along.

 People go to Vinh Nghiem Pagoda after work

 Visitors at 120-year old Dong Linh Pagoda

Buying birds for releasing ceremony

Some Chinese communities in Vietnam still celebrate the event by writing wishes on lanterns and releasing them into the sky. At Dong Linh Pagoda in Hoc Mon District, visitors can write their wishes on a red cloth and throw it over the branch of a tree in front of a Buddha statue.

 Writing wishes on a red cloth

Putting the wishing cloth on a tree

To several people, this day is the eastern equivalent of Valentine Day, when couples are often formed. The first full moon this year is also on the same day a Valentine's.

In Danang City, people have gone to pagodas such as Linh Ung Pagoda in Son Tra District beginning yesterday to pray.

 Families go to pagodas

Pilgrims chant sutras with the monks of Quang Minh Pagoda

Phuong, a local who was visiting Quang Minh Pagoda, said, "There's an old saying: going to pagodas the whole year is not as effective as going on the first full moon. So I often go to pagodas to pray for our family's health and luck on these days."