On the morning of April 6, at Quan The Am Pagoda, the official ceremony (the Commemoration Day of Avalokiteshvara Bodhisattva) of the Quan The Am Festival at Ngu Hanh Son took place. Attending the event were Deputy Secretary of the City Party Committee Ngo Xuan Thang; Chairman of the Vietnam Fatherland Front Committee of Da Nang City Le Tri Thanh; Head of the Party Committee’s Propaganda and Mass Mobilization Commission Huynh Thi Thuy Dung; Vice Chairman of the City People’s Council Doan Ngoc Hung Anh; Vice Chairwoman of the City People’s Committee Nguyen Thi Anh Thi; along with tens of thousands of monks, nuns, Buddhist followers, residents, and visitors from across the country.
Amid the fresh and serene atmosphere of early April, the festival unfolds at the sacred and poetic Ngu Hanh Son (Marble Mountains), expressing the reverence and joy of both locals and visitors as they take part in a traditional festival rich in spiritual values.
At the ceremony, participants had the opportunity to reflect, listen to the voice of compassion within themselves, and immerse in the 32 manifestations of Avalokiteshvara Bodhisattva in saving sentient beings. These compassionate vows bring peace and kindness to people’s lives, helping them overcome worries and afflictions arising from greed, anger, and ignorance. Such manifestations and vows have been deeply embedded in the historical journey of building and safeguarding the nation.
In her speech, Vice Chairwoman of the City People’s Committee Nguyen Thi Anh Thi emphasized that the Quan The Am Festival is not only an annual cultural and religious event, but also the crystallization of a long-standing cultural journey, where layers of history, beliefs, and folk life have been nurtured through generations.
From a ritual honoring Avalokiteshvara Bodhisattva – the supreme symbol of compassion, salvation, and deliverance of all beings – the festival has gradually evolved into a distinctive spiritual-cultural space, vividly reflecting the harmony between religion and daily life, between Buddhist teachings and national spirit.
The year 2026 marks the fourth time the festival has been organized at the city level. The event continues to affirm its position as a cultural highlight of Da Nang, as well as a unique spiritual tourism product that attracts both domestic and international visitors.
“Coming to the festival today, visitors not only immerse themselves in the sacred atmosphere of solemn Buddhist rituals, but also experience a vibrant cultural landscape with diverse and distinctive activities. Each ritual and activity conveys messages of mindfulness, compassion, and the aspiration for a virtuous life oriented toward truth, goodness, and beauty,” said Vice Chairwoman Nguyen Thi Anh Thi.
She also noted that in the context of modern life with many changes, the values brought by the Quan The Am Festival have become increasingly meaningful. It reminds people to return to themselves, nurture kindness, spread love, and live responsibly toward the community and society. It is also an occasion to reconnect with national cultural roots, strengthen unity, and preserve and promote traditional values.
The festival serves not only as a gathering place for faith and spirituality, but also as a bridge for friendship and cultural exchange among regions, and between Vietnam and international friends. It contributes to building the image of Da Nang as a civilized, friendly, compassionate, and culturally rich city.
At the ceremony, delegates released balloons carrying wishes for peace and prosperity. Traditional rituals were also performed, expressing love and devotion toward Avalokiteshvara Bodhisattva, and praying for peace, prosperity, and happiness for the nation and its people.
The Bodhisattva Avalokiteshvara costume procession, held alongside the ritual of escorting the sacred statue, is one of the most anticipated highlights of the festival. The costumes aim to recreate the compassionate image of the Bodhisattva, allowing people to witness His benevolence and to convey the message that He is always present alongside sentient beings, spreading compassion and relief from suffering everywhere.
DANANG TOURISM PROMOTION CENTER
