The fifth United Nations Day of Vesak (UNDV) is to be held in Hanoi, Vietname from 13-17th May in 2008. This is the first ever biggest international Buddhist conference in Vietname. The celebrations are expected to draw a gathering of 4500--including Buddhist leaders from all traditions, leading scholars, state dignitaries and practitioners from all ground the world, and in Vietnam.

The celebrations commemorating the 2632the Year of the Birth, Enlightenment and Passing Away of the Buddha Gautama will be four-dimensional--coveritng Spiritual, Academic, Cultural and Religious aspects.

As you may be aware, in a resolution passed by the United Nation's General Assembly in December 1999, it was decided to celebrate the thrice-sacred day of Vesak in the month of May. The first celebration was held back in the year 2000 at the United Nations Headquarters in New York. Subsequently, the celebrations for the United Nations Day of Vesak were successfully held in Bangkok, Thailand since 2004.

The United Nations Day of Vesak 2008 celebrations in Vietnam affer a welcome opportunity to spread the Buddha's message of peace, reconciliation, harmony, love, progress and development to the world.

Main Theme: Buddhist Contribution to building a Just, Democratic and Civil Society.
Sub Themes:
1. War, Conflict and Healing : A Buddhist Perspective
2. Buddhist Contribution to Social Justice
3. Engaged Buddhism and Development
4. Care for Our Environment: Buddhist Response to Climate Change
5. Family Problems and the Buddhist Response
6. Symposium on Buddhist Education: Continuity and Progress
7. Symposium on Buddhism in the Digital Age.