The Mekong Delta province of An Giang organised a grand ceremony on July 3 to mark the 76 th founding anniversary of Hoa Hao Buddhism.

Addressing the event, Vice President of the Vietnam Fatherland Front (VFF) Central Committee Nguyen Van Pha said that over the past 76 years, Hoa Hao followers have promoted patriotism and unity and contributed to the nation-building and safeguarding process.

They have actively participated in social and charitable activities including providing free food for orphans, the elderly and patients at hospitals as well as offering medicine to poor patients, he stated.

He asked the Hoa Hao Buddhist community to continue promoting great national unity and participating in campaigns initiated by the VFF, including “Day for the Poor”, and “Vietnamese people prioritise Vietnamese products”.

Founded in 1939 in An Giang province, the Hoa Hao Buddhism sect now has over 2 million followers in 17 cities and provinces nationwide .

Last year, Hoa Hao followers contributed more than 230 billion VND (10.58 million USD) to supporting the poor and building new-style rural areas.-VNA