A group of 180 Buddhist devotees from Vietnam is scheduled to arrive in Lumbini, the birthplace of Lord Gautam Buddha, via a chartered flight. The pilgrims will land at Gautam Buddha International Airport in Bhairahawa on Baishakh 5 (April 18), as confirmed by organizers. The Vietnamese pilgrims are visiting Lumbini to participate in a special religious ceremony organized on Friday (Baishakh 6).
Following their spiritual program in Lumbini, they are set to travel to Varanasi, India, by road. Lumbini, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, holds deep spiritual significance for followers of Buddhism worldwide. Vietnamese devotees, in particular, regard Lumbini as a highly sacred destination due to its association with the birth of Buddha.
This visit reflects the growing religious and cultural ties between Nepal and Vietnam and highlights Lumbini’s status as a central hub for Buddhist pilgrimage. It also reinforces Nepal’s potential as a key destination for spiritual tourism. Such international pilgrimages are expected to support Nepal’s tourism sector, especially as the country continues to promote religious and cultural tourism across global markets.
