News & Events · 15 Jun 2025
A Historic Convergence: Southern Pilgrims Gathered in An Giang Years Before Vietnam’s Largest Vegetarian Event
“The unprecedented gathering of over 1.5 million people at the Vegetarian Grand Assembly 2025 in An Hoa Tu, An Giang Province, was not an overnight phenomenon. It was the culmination of years of pilgrimage and spiritual unity, particularly from Vietnam’s Southern region, where devout followers and vegetarian practitioners have long considered An Giang a sacred destination”, An Giang, Vietnam – June 2025,
KNKim NganĂn Chay TV
From June 11 to 13 (lunar dates 16–18/5), An Hòa Tự in An Giang Province welcomed tens of thousands of pilgrims celebrating the 86th Anniversary of Hoa Hao Buddhism, founded by Đức Huỳnh Giáo Chủ (Huỳnh Phú Sổ). Devotees from across southern Vietnam gathered in search of spiritual renewal and community connection.
The event featured over 200 free vegan food stations, run by Hoa Hao Buddhist volunteers, offering thousands of meals daily. More than a religious gathering, the celebration reflected the movement’s enduring values of compassion, service, and solidarity.
The Hoa Hao community continues to play an active role in social welfare, with long-standing efforts in charity kitchens, herbal clinics, education support, and aid for the underprivileged across the country.
Perhaps the most beautiful thing is the warm smiles and heartfelt invitations, like those from family, as the people of An Giang welcome the pilgrims.
Since its inception, Anchay TV has captured and promoted these regional pilgrimages as symbols of Vietnam’s compassionate culture. In early coverage dating back to 2023–2024, Anchay TV featured small but powerful stories of families making the journey from remote towns to An Hoa Tu for vegetarian practice and reflection.
This Congress, the channel provided:
Live broadcasts of key ceremonies and activities
On-site interviews with monks, volunteers, and pilgrims
Photo documentation of the event’s massive vegetarian meal offerings and religious rituals
Real-time updates on social media platforms
The moment we witnessed young people with generous hearts, giving without hesitation, each taking on their share of the work without complaint, deeply moved us 05-18 night Photo: Phan Minh Dien
You might think that waiting to get a vegetarian meal in a crowd would be difficult and chaotic? No need to worry about that anymore — everywhere you turn, there are volunteers carrying trays of food, warmly inviting you with a smile: ‘Here, take a meal, dear!
Sharing with Anchay TV and host Xuan Mai, many devoted elders opened their food booths as early as 3 to 4 a.m. to prepare and serve 1,000 to 2,000 portions for pilgrims Sharing with Anchay TV and host Xuan Mai, many devoted elders opened their food booths as early as 3 to 4 a.m. to prepare and serve 1,000 to 2,000 portions for pilgrims Everywhere you turn, volunteers are gracefully serving pilgrims with trays of food, offering each dish with a warm smile and kind words: ‘Here, please enjoy this meal, dear!’ Everywhere you turn, volunteers are gracefully serving pilgrims with trays of food, offering each dish with a warm smile and kind words: ‘Here, please enjoy this meal, dear!’ Everywhere you turn, volunteers are gracefully serving pilgrims with trays of food, offering each dish with a warm smile and kind words: ‘Here, please enjoy this meal, dear!’ You might think that waiting to get a vegetarian meal in a crowd would be difficult and chaotic? No need to worry about that anymore — everywhere you turn, there are volunteers carrying trays of food, warmly inviting you with a smile: ‘Here, take a meal, dear!
🍱 Free Plant-Based Meals for the Masses
Volunteers and local organizers prepared and served hundreds of thousands of free vegetarian meals each day to accommodate the needs of the overwhelming crowd.
The moment we saw young people with generous hearts, unafraid of hard work, each doing their part without hesitation, we couldn’t help but feel deeply touched The moment we saw young people with generous hearts, unafraid of hard work, each doing their part without hesitation, we couldn’t help but feel deeply touched The moment we saw young people with generous hearts, unafraid of hard work, each doing their part without hesitation, we couldn’t help but feel deeply touched The moment we saw young people with generous hearts, unafraid of hard work, each doing their part without hesitation, we couldn’t help but feel deeply touched The moment we saw not only young people, but also elderly folks joining the kitchen team — all with generous hearts, unafraid of hard work, each doing their part without hesitation — we couldn’t help but feel deeply touched. The moment we saw not only young people, but also elderly folks joining the kitchen team — all with generous hearts, unafraid of hard work, each doing their part without hesitation — we couldn’t help but feel deeply touched. Grills were set up with glowing charcoal, where eggplants and various plant-based dishes were being roasted to perfection, filling the air with a warm, smoky aroma Various plant-based dishes were being roasted to perfection, filling the air with a warm, smoky aroma. Nearby, signature vegan delicacies from the Mekong Delta were beautifully arranged on long tables, showcasing the region’s rich culinary heritage Renowned volunteer cooking teams from across the country gathered here, offering their services entirely free of charge. Each kitchen brought its own specialties and dedication, united by a shared spirit of compassion and community 1.5 Million People Vegetarian Festival in An Giang – The 2025 Founding Day Grand Celebration of Hoa Hao Buddhism 1.5 Million People Vegetarian Festival in An Giang – The 2025 Founding Day Grand Celebration of Hoa Hao Buddhism
Creativity, Connectivity, Responsibility.
🙏 From Local Faith to National Movement
The foundation laid by these smaller pilgrimages set the stage for the 2025 milestone event, which officially gathered over 1.5 million people and became the largest vegetarian spiritual assembly in Vietnam’s recorded history.
What started as a humble, regionally-focused event has now become a national (and potentially international) inspiration for plant-based unity, spiritual coexistence, and mindful living.
Reflections from Organizers
“We’ve watched this movement grow naturally over the years,” said a representative from the Hoa Hao Buddhist Church, “and Anchay TV has been a bridge — helping document and share our vision with the broader world.”
🛤️ Looking Forward
Organizers and spiritual leaders now envision An Giang as a long-term vegetarian pilgrimage hub, where faith, food, and compassion merge in harmony every year.
Anchay TV plans to produce a documentary series tracing the evolution of these gatherings, spotlighting untold stories and moments that shaped this spiritual movement.
What happened in June 2025 was not simply a mass event. It was the natural blooming of seeds planted years before, in the hearts of pilgrims from the South, in the humble vegetarian meals shared on temple grounds, and in the dreams of those who believed that compassion could gather millions.
An Giang has become more than a province — it is now a symbol.
