The Government Committee for Religious Affairs on July 17 handed over a decision recognising the religious organisation status of the Vietnam Caodaism Society (Binh Duc).

Addressing the handover ceremony held in My Tho city of the Mekong Delta province of Tien Giang, Deputy Head of the Government Committee for Religious Affairs Nguyen Thanh Xuan highlighted the efforts of the society over 50 years of operation.

The Vietnam Caodaism Society (Binh Duc) was founded in 1961 in Binh Duc commune, Chau Thanh district, Tien Giang province.

The sect now has 2,300 followers living in Tien Giang, Long An, Ben Tre, Dong Thap and Ho Chi Minh City. It has actively taken part in social charitable activities and helped poor people

Permitted by the Government Committee for Religious Affairs, the society held a congress in late 2010 to elect a 21-member executive board, put forward directions for the 2010-2015 term and announce its charter./.