A festival featuring thousands of lotus-shaped lanterns took place at Tran Quoc pagoda on October 9 in Hanoi to celebrate 1,010 years of Thang Long-Hanoi and the 66th anniversary of the city's Liberation Day (October 10).

The festival focused on holding prayer for peace and happiness for the nation and the people.

It gathered a large affluence of Buddhist followers from across the country.

Thousands of lanterns, representing lotus flowers, were arranged on the stone pedestals in the pagoda. The flower is a symbol of wisdom and compassion.

Thousands of lotus-shaped lanterns lit up Tran Quoc pagoda. Each lantern carries the hope of a brighter future, full of peace and joy.

At the end of the ceremony, the flowers were placed at the linden tree, instead of being dropped into the lake to protect the environment.

Deputy Chief of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha's Central Office Venerable Thich Minh Quang said at the ceremony that the lantern festival is a national ritual dating back from the Ly dynasty, to create a close relationship between the court and the people through cultural and spiritual activities.

Photo: VnExpress