Traditional customs of Vietnamese preserved in Hong Kong

An altar inside the Pháp Xuất Duy Giác pagoda in Hong Kong. VNA/VNS Photo

HONG KONG A large number of Vietnamese people in Hong Kong (China) have come to a local pagoda on the occasion of the Vu Lan Festival to express gratitude to their ancestors and pray for the best for their families, which is also an act to uphold traditional customs of the homeland.

Like other residents in Hong Kong, Vietnamese in this special administrative region often visit pagodas every traditional festival to worship Buddha.

During the Vu Lan Festival, which falls on the 15th day of the 7th lunar month (August 18 this year), many have come to a pagoda called “Pháp Xuất Duy Giác” in Sino-Vietnamese words.

The pagoda, founded by a Vietnamese nun over 60 years ago, used to welcome numerous Buddhist followers and visitors, but it was less frequented due to a lack of keepers after the nun passed away in 1999, Trần Thị Phượng, manager of the pagoda, told the Vietnam News Agency’s resident reporter.

She shared that it could be her destiny that she came to take care of this pagoda and chant prayers every day to wish for good health for her family and peace for the world.

Trần Thị Phượng, manager of the Pháp Xuất Duy Giác pagoda, talks to a VNA reporter. VNA/VNS Photo

Hoàng Mỹ An, a Vietnamese in Hong Kong, said every Vu Lan Festival, the Vietnamese community here visit Buddhist pagodas to pray for the well-being of their families and show gratitude to ancestors and parents, thereby helping maintain and pass down good cultural practices to descendants.

Lê Thị Hồng Việt, another expatriate, noted that she also often visits pagodas on this occasion as the tradition of Vietnamese people to pray for good health and peace.

Aside from visiting pagodas, many Vietnamese in Hong Kong have also taken part in the release of caught animals on this occasion to wish for the best for their families and themselves. VNA/VNS