Tet greetings offered to authorities, people nationwide hinh anh 1The delegation of the Evangelical Church of Vietnam (North) visits the Hanoi People’s Committee on Feb. 1 (Photo: kinhtedothi.vn)

Hanoi (VNA)Lunar New Year (Tet) greetings were delivered to authorities and people in different localities on February 1 with the year’s biggest traditional festival less than a week away.

Receiving a delegation of the Evangelical Church of Vietnam (North), Vice Standing Chairman of the Hanoi People’s Committee Vu Hong Khanh said the Church has continued to join in community efforts.

The capital city always respects the right to belief and religious freedom and has paid heed to improving living standards for both religious and secular residents, he noted.

He also expressed his hope that the Church will continue its active participation in the city’s emulation movements and contributions to municipal and national development.

On behalf of the delegation, Pastor Bui Van San thanked the municipal authorities for supporting the Church and pledged the Church’s devotion to national growth.

At a get-together in Ho Chi Minh City, Nguyen Thanh Phong – Vice Chairman of the municipal Party Committee and Chairman of the municipal People’s Committee – briefed foreign representative agencies about the southern city’s prominent economic, cultural and social achievements and key tasks for 2016.

He also highlighted HCM City’s external activities and thanked foreign diplomatic agencies and international organisations for joining the city on the path to those successes.

UK Consul General to HCM City Douglas Barnes sent his best wishes to local authorities and residents, noting that the municipality is considered a vanguard of economic and institutional reforms in Vietnam and also an ideal destination for investment and initiatives.

Also on February 2, representatives of the bishop’s palace of the Diocese of Vinh and the Vinh Thanh Major Seminary, based in the central province of Nghe An, visited the provincial People’s Committee.

Provincial officials informed the guests about local socio-economic accomplishments last year and missions set for 2016, while appreciating their support for Nghe An.

Representatives of the bishop’s palace also thanked local authorities for the favourable conditions created for the diocese’s followers to reduce poverty and engage in patriotic emulation movements.

The same day, the executive board of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha’s Nghe An chapter led by Most Venerable Thich Thanh Nhieu made a pre-Tet visit to the provincial Party Committee and People’s Committee.-VNA
VNA