As many as 74 paintings of Buddha by Indian artists are being showcased at a week-long exhibition which opened in Hanoi on June 2.

Following on from the India Festival held in Vietnam in March, the exhibition leads local people to Buddha’s message on peace and contentment, mercy and harmonisation, Indian Ambassador to Vietnam Preeti Saran told those at the event’s opening.

Permanent Vice Chairman of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha’s Executive Council, Thich Thanh Nhieu, said the exhibition is one of the cultural events helping further heighten mutual understanding, trust and traditional friendship between the two peoples.

Buddhism, with its humanitarian philosophy, is a solid foundation to deepen Vietnam-India ties, with India keen to contribute to development in Southeast Asia and the world at large, Nhieu added.-VNA