Nightlight: While most participants release lotus-shaped floats made of banana leaves, a couple celebrate the festive night with a sky lantern near Sai Gon River. — VNS Photo Van Dat

HCM CITY  (VNS) — The Thai community in HCM City celebrated Loy Krathong, one of their most important festivals on Sunday in Thao Dien in District 2, with hundreds of people in attendance.

At the Festival of Light, organised for the second year in the city, people released sky lanterns and lotus-shaped floats made of banana leaves into the Sai Gon River with flowers, candles, and incense.

There was live music and a beauty pageant as people prayed and presented balloons to loved ones.

The festival takes place on full moon day in the 12th lunar month, falling this year on November 17.

This year the celebrations have been muted in Thailand because of the recent death of Charoen Khotchawat, the Supreme Buddhist Patriarch of Thailand, and the subsequent 30-day mourning.

The event was organised by the Thai consulate in HCM City and Tourism Authority of Thailand. — VNS