(VOVworld)- A series of spiritual and cultural events have taken place to celebrate the 2557th Birthday of Lord Buddha. In the southern province of An Giang, local government and mass organization leaders have paid courtesy visit to the provincial Buddhist Shangha and met with dignitaries in pagodas across the province. Monks and nuns’ contribution to social economic development and social welfare was praised during the event. At a ceremony in the northern province of Thai Nguyen on Friday, participants listened to a message by the Vietnam Buddhist Shangha encouraging followers to uphold the fine humanitarian values of Buddhism and its bondage with the nation in every historical stage.