The Vietnam-India Buddhist Cultural Exhibition is on display at Tam Thuy Pagoda in Ha Nam Province, with highlights including statues of Gautama Buddha, Bodhisattvas and Sambhogakaya from the polytheistic Buddhist world.
Held in the underground hall of Tam Thuy Pagoda, the exhibition displays a rich variety of artifacts that showcase the historical and cultural journey of Buddhism between India and Vietnam.
This is one of the many cultural activities held during Vesak Day 2025.
Visitors can explore the history of the introduction of Buddhist teachings from India to Vietnam, and trace how Buddhist spiritual teachings and cultural elements have been introduced, adapted and integrated into Vietnamese society over the centuries.
Nguyen Kim Chinh from Hanoi arrived at Tam Thuy Pagoda at 5 a.m. to immerse himself in the spiritual atmosphere of Vesak Day 2025. “After viewing the Buddha’s relics, I did not leave immediately. I took the time to explore the surroundings and I was deeply attracted by the exhibition when I walked through the basement of Tam The. The artifacts are beautifully displayed and have profound meanings,” he shared.
A major feature of the exhibition is the focus on ancient Vietnamese art, especially religious depictions of Gautama Buddha, bodhisattvas and various sambhogakayas, showing the rich visual culture of polytheistic Buddhism.
The exhibits are mainly paintings and photographs of Buddhist themes, in addition to wood carvings, statues, architectural models and scale models.
Ngo Thu Thuy, a visitor from Quang Tri, said: “I didn’t know much about Buddhism before, but today I have the opportunity to see and pay respect to the Buddha’s relics with my own eyes. This makes me more excited to learn about the diversity of Buddhism.”
The exhibition also displays architectural fragments from Buddhist temple sites across Indochina, telling the story of the life of the Buddha through archaeological evidence and architectural art.
Curated by Dr. Abhira Bhattacharya and supported by the National Museum of the Ministry of Culture of India.
