Vegetarian food is growing popular in modern life for different reasons; many object to eating meat out of respect for sentient life and religious beliefs while others prefer healthy life and environmental protection, among others.

The vegetarian food festival is held to celebrate Vu Lan Festival (falling on the 15th day of the seventh month of the lunar calendar, or August 25 this year), meet increasingly strong demand for vegetarian food in the city, and promote vegetarianism.

The festival will serve more than 300 vegetarian dishes such as brown rice, oat porridge, bun rieu chay (vegetable noodle soup), and banh xeo gac (Vietnamese spiny bitter gourd pancake) and 50 vegetarian drinks prepared by nearly 80 restaurants, food stalls, pagodas’ kitchens, and vegetarian mini marts.

Taking place around the Lotus Lake inside the park, the festival will also introduce new vegetarian products, eco-friendly products, new vegetarian trends, and Buddhist ritual objects.

In addition, guests will have a chance to take part in workshops on vegetarian and healthy food, enjoy traditional music and ao dai (Vietnam’s traditional dress) shows performed by artists from White Lotus Charitable Club, and buy souvenirs related to Buddhism and vegetarianism from many provinces and cities across the country. 

The vegetarian buffets are available from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m., with a different theme each day such as Humane Hearts, Health-Macrobiotic, and Roses for Vu Lan.

Ticket to the festival costs VND150,000 per person, including admission to the park.

Tickets can be purchased at Dam Sen Cultural Park, No. 3 Hoa Binh Street, District 11, HCMC. For more information, dial (028) 3963 2483 or 0121 5828 740.