The celebration takes place under the Bodhi tree then Indian President Rajendra Prasad gifted to Vietnamese President Ho Chi Minh 60 years ago. (Photo: dangcongsan.vn)

The ceremony was organized by the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha and the Embassy of India at Tran Quoc Pagoda, where the tree was planted. Head of Tran Quoc Pagoda Venerable Thich Thanh Nha said it was under a Bodhi tree in Bodh Gaya, Bihar, in India that Lord Buddha attained enlightenment thousands of years ago. Six decades ago, President Prasad brought a cutting from that revered Bodhi tree in Bodh Gaya to present to President Ho Chi Minh.

Indian Ambassador Pranay Verma said the Bodhi tree at Tran Quoc Pagoda is a symbol of the long-standing connection between India and Vietnam. Buddhism was introduced to Vietnam from India nearly 2,000 years ago.