Great celebration of May 18th on the day of Lord Huynh Giao Chua's Day

Great celebration of May 18: People flock to An Giang on the day of Lord Huynh Giao Chu Every year, on the 18th day of the 5th lunar month, millions of Hoa Hao Buddhists from all over the country flock to An Giang to attend the Great Ceremony of Lord Huynh Giao Chu - the founder of Hoa Hao Buddhism. Hoa Hao Buddhism was founded by Patriarch Huynh on May 18, Ky Mao year (1939) at An Hoa Tu Pagoda (also known as Thay Pagoda by believers in the religion), Phu My town, Phu Tan, An Giang province. The Hoa Hao Buddhism Enlightenment Festival is an opportunity to commemorate the great merits of Patriarch Huynh, who sowed the seeds for a new dharma, guiding people to a good and noble life. The Great Ceremony of Lord Huynh Giao Chu takes place during 3 days, from the 16th to 18th of the 5th lunar month. However, the main holiday is the 18th, attracting a large number of tourists and believers to this place. One of the impressive highlights of the Great Ceremony is the parade of vehicles with the participation of a large number of Buddhists and local people. The convoy paraded through large and small roads, attracting the attention of a large number of people. On the splendidly decorated and colorful cars, Buddhists sang songs praising Patriarch Huynh and Buddhist teachings. The parade of vehicles not only creates a bustling and vibrant atmosphere but also contributes to spreading the good values ​​of Hoa Hao Buddhism to everyone. At the temples, tourists and Buddhists from all over are immersed in the sacred atmosphere of the May 18 Great Festival. Standing out in that space is the image of simple vegetarian rice trays filled with love, jointly cultivated by the Executive Board of Hoa Hao Buddhist Church and the people here. The spirit of hospitality is also shown through the image of free drink stalls set up along main roads and in front of the communal house gate. Here, tourists and Buddhists can enjoy cool glasses of water to quench their thirst.  All of these activities stem from the compassion and sharing of the people of An Giang. They open their arms to welcome tourists from all over to attend the May 18 Great Festival, bringing them unforgettable experiences of hospitality and warm human love here. Along the roads leading to the Temple, visitors can easily see stalls close together, selling a variety of items. Visitors can find and buy unique souvenirs such as pictures, Buddha statues, beads, bracelets, etc. In addition, clothing, shoes, household appliances and local specialties are also sold at affordable prices, creating a bustling and colorful trading picture. The Great Enlightenment Ceremony of Hoa Hao Buddhism in An Giang is not only a spiritual event but also a unique cultural festival, attracting tourists from all over to attend, not only to pray for peace and luck but also to immerse themselves in the unique spiritual cultural space of the Southern people.