The Municipal People’s Committee organised a special song and dance programme and an auction of Buddhist paintings and statues to raise funds for Agent Orange/dioxin victims in the city.

The ceremony closed with the release of lanterns on the Co Co River in front of Quan The Am pagoda, a procession of flower-decorated vehicles and camping activities.

In the afternoon, festival organisers opened an exhibition showcasing carved stone statues and held traditional sports games such as tug-of-war and stick throwing. 

Other activities at the three-day festival include a calligraphy exhibition, a tea making demonstration, lion-and unicorn dances, boat racing and the preaching of Buddhist scriptures.

The festival, which is held annually at the Marble Mountains – a tourist attraction in Da Nang, aims to pray for peace, stability and prosperity. It has been included in the list of 15 national festivals.