18,000 temples ring peace bells as Vietnam marks historic transition

The synchronized ritual, conducted under the guidance of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha, commemorated the launch of the two-tier local government model in 34 merged provinces and cities - a moment seen as a historic turning point for the nation.

The Bat Nha bell and drum ritual was solemnly conducted at Quan Su Pagoda in Hanoi to pray for national peace and the well-being of the peopl

The Bat Nha bell and drum ritual is a deeply sacred and solemn practice traditionally reserved for major Buddhist ceremonies such as Lunar New Year, Vesak, and Vu Lan. In times of significant national events, the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha has repeatedly directed all temples nationwide to simultaneously ring the Bat Nha bells and drums at a designated time, reinforcing Buddhism’s bond with the nation's destiny.

Speaking to the press at Quan Su Pagoda - the headquarters of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha - Venerable Thich Duc Thien, Vice President and General Secretary of the Sangha's Executive Council, reflected on Buddhism’s enduring presence in Vietnamese history: “For more than 2,000 years, Buddhism has journeyed with the nation. At every historical juncture, Buddhist ceremonies for peace and prosperity have been conducted.”

He emphasized that the ringing of three Bát Nhã bell and drum sequences invites the blessings of Buddhas, Bodhisattvas, celestial beings, and sacred guardians, infusing virtuous intentions and prayers for successful national plans, goals, and directions.

The ritual included the recitation of the Medicine Buddha Sutra - a traditional Buddhist prayer for well-being and smooth progress aligned with sincere aspirations. “After the bell-ringing and sutra recitation at Quan Su Pagoda, I felt profoundly moved. The faces of Buddhists glowed with joy and hope. It was clear the people trust in the national effort to streamline the state apparatus and the administrative mergers underway across the country,” said Venerable Thich Duc Thien.

He continued, quoting General Secretary To Lam: “We are realigning the landscape of the nation to bring prosperity and happiness to our people.” Through this ceremony, the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha hopes to inspire collective unity, channeling spiritual energy toward a seamless, peaceful, and confident transition into this new national era.

In Ho Chi Minh City, Chairman Nguyen Van Duoc of the People’s Committee joined monks at Vinh Nghiem Pagoda to lead the solemn ritual of three bell and drum strikes.

At exactly 6:00 AM on July 1, 2025, Chairman of the Ho Chi Minh City People's Committee Nguyen Van Duoc, together with the monks at Vinh Nghiem Pagoda, conducted three resonant rounds of the Bat Nha bell and drum ceremony to pray for national peace and the well-being of the people.

Simultaneously, the same spiritual practice echoed at Vietnam Quoc Tu, another major pagoda in the city, where the Bat Nha bells rang in perfect synchrony with temples across the country.

Immediately following the bell-ringing, a sacred prayer ceremony was held, aiming to invoke national unity and awaken the spiritual energy of Vietnam’s mountains and rivers.

Most Venerable Thich Le Trang, alongside fellow monks, nuns, and lay Buddhists, chanted sutras in a deeply reverent atmosphere.

Many citizens in Ho Chi Minh City participated in the early morning ceremony. Among them was Truong Bao Lam from Binh Thanh Ward, who said, “This is a defining day for our nation, and I wanted to witness this sacred moment firsthand and pray for peace, prosperity, and smooth progress.”

He added, “I hope to stay healthy and wise to contribute to our nation’s renewal and advancement, helping Vietnam rise to meet the world’s leading powers. As the bells rang out, I was truly moved.”

Vo Thi Le Thu, who arrived at the pagoda at 5:30 a.m., described a serendipitous moment on her way: “I looked up and saw clouds forming a heart shape in the sky, blending into one another like a symbol of our united homeland. I was overwhelmed - it felt like a divine sign at such a crucial time for the country.”

In Buddhist belief, the sound of the bell resonates far and wide across realms, carrying prayers from the practitioners and spreading peace and happiness to all beings. The Bát Nhã bell and drum are only used during major, solemn occasions - this being one of the most meaningful in recent memory.

34 Buddhist councils begin operations following administrative merger

On November 7, 1981, the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha was officially established at Quan Su Pagoda through the unification of nine major Buddhist sects nationwide, forming a single cohesive religious body for the country.

Guided by the legacy of King-Monk Tran Nhan Tong and the spirit of engaged Buddhism, the Sangha has consistently accompanied the Vietnamese people, encouraging monks, nuns, and lay followers to promote patriotism and bring happiness to all.

In alignment with Vietnam’s administrative streamlining reforms, the Sangha has also discontinued district-level Buddhist councils in merged areas and reorganized provincial councils accordingly.

On June 30, the Elder Most Venerable, Chairman of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha, signed a resolution establishing 23 new provincial Buddhist councils in newly merged localities while maintaining 11 councils in regions unaffected by administrative changes. All 34 councils began official operations on July 1, 2025.