In 2009, Buddhist followers in Hanoi raised nearly 7.2 billion VND in support of poor people, Agent Orange and storm victims, orphans and the homeless elderly.

The figure was released at a conference in Hanoi on January 8 reviewing the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha - Hanoi chapter’s charitable activities in 2009, as well as discussing the 2010 agenda for Buddhist activities.

With support from international charitable organisations and donors, the chapter managed a centre for orphaned, disabled and HIV-infected children at the Bo De Pagoda in Long Bien district, as well as centres for people with HIV/AIDS at the Phap Van Pagoda in Hoang Mai district, and the Thanh Am and Cau Ca Pagodas in Long Bien district.

It also opened charitable classes at the Dong Cuu Doi Pagoda in Chuong My district and a free clinic at the Tram Gian Pagoda.

In addition, the chapter guided Buddhist monks, nuns and followers to abide by State’s policies and laws and actively participate in movements, helping build a national great unity bloc.

In 2009, hundreds of pagodas were repaired with a total cost of hundreds of billion VND, including Tran Quoc Pagoda in Tay Ho district, Xa Dan, Cam Ung and Nam Dong Pagodas in Dong Da district, and Dien Phuc and Huong Trai Pagodas in Hoai Duc district.

At the conference, the VBS Hanoi Chapter Executive Board said it will coordinate with relevant agencies to organise the 1,000th anniversary of Thang Long-Hanoi and inaugurate Buddhist works commemorating Hanoi’s millennium birthday./.