Work on the casting of a bell to help celebrate the 1,000th anniversary of the founding of Thang Long-Hanoi began at Quang An pagoda in Hanoi’s outlying district of Thanh Tri on May 27.

Once completed, the bell will have a diameter of 2.5m, a height of 3.5m and weigh 7 tonnes.

The Thang Long-Hoang Thanh bell is one of the four sacred articles that are used when worshipping to ensure the safety of Thang Long citadel and Vietnam.

According to the Superior Bonze Thich Minh Tri, head of Quang An pagoda, the bell will start ringing at 10:10’10” on October 10, 2010 - the day marking Hanoi’s millennial anniversary.

The same day, a ceremony was held in the pagoda to celebrate the 2554th anniversary of Lord Buddha’s birth.

During the ceremony, the Patriarch of Vietnam Buddhist Sangha’s Patronage Council also gave an address to those assembled.

VNA