The note No. 193/TB-HĐTS was signed by Most Venerable Thích Thiện Nhơn, President of the VBS’s Executive Council and sent to the VBS’s functioning central committees and institutes, the VBS executive committees in provinces and cities, and monks, nuns and lay Buddhists across the country.

In the released note, the VBS’s Executive Council called on monks, nuns and lay Buddhists to stay in Buddhist places and at home, recite Vu Lan (Ullambana) Sutra and transfer merit to parents, ancestors and heroic martyrs, as well as pray for the successful pandemic control and peace in the country during this year's Vu Lan festival.

The VBS Executive Council also asked Buddhist places not to gather Buddhist and locals for holding “rose lapel” ceremony or other celebrations, and other rituals during Vu Lan festival", and urged the VBS central preaching committee and Buddhist places to organize online celebrations of Vu Lan festival this year for meeting spiritual needs of lay Buddhists and people in the country.

In organizing Vu Lan festival, Buddhist places were asked to inform local authorities and strictly implement anti-epidemic measures as recommended by the health sector including face masks, disinfection, and social distancing, etc.

The VBS also called on monks, nuns and lay Buddhists to continue making practical contributions to the Covid-19 prevention and vaccine funds, and Buddhist ashrams to donate charity meals to disadvantaged people severely affected by the epidemic.