Buddhist calendar

Vietnamese Buddhists keep their festivals by the lunar calendar. Two days recur every month: the first day of the lunar month and the full-moon day (the 15th). Many people eat vegetarian food or visit a temple on these days, as they are able.

The dates below are computed by a program when this page is built, using the Vietnamese lunar calendar (UTC+7). It can differ by a day from the Chinese lunar calendar, because the two countries use different time zones. Temples may also announce slightly different dates, so check the notice of the temple you plan to visit.

Main observances

Year 2026

Year 2027

In brief

• Buddha's Birthday (Phật Đản). Marks the birth of Shakyamuni Buddha. Temples often hold a bathing-the-Buddha ceremony and light lanterns. Some traditions fix Vesak differently.
• Vu Lan. A season of filial gratitude, linked to the story of Maudgalyayana. Many people pin a flower to their clothing in remembrance of their parents.
• Avalokiteshvara days (vía Quan Thế Âm). The 19th of the 2nd, 6th and 9th lunar months are kept by many temples. Names and meanings of each day vary by place. See the Guanyin story.
• Bodhi Day (Thành Đạo). Marks the Buddha's awakening under the bodhi tree. See the story of the awakening.
• First full moon of the year. The first full-moon day of the year, also called Thượng nguyên.

First and fifteenth of each month

Keep reading

• Layout of a Vietnamese Buddhist temple
• The altars of a Vietnamese temple
• How to pay respects at a Vietnamese temple
• Buddhist glossary for temple visitors
• Avalokiteshvara (Quan Thế Âm), the one who listens
• The Buddha's awakening
• Two Jataka tales
• Maudgalyayana and filial gratitude

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