Vietnamplus

Religions have never had such favourable conditions for their activities in Vietnam like now, Deputy Minister of Home Affairs Vu Chien Thang stressed in a recent writing.

Ambassador Dang Hoang Giang, Permanent Representative of Vietnam to the United Nations, highlighted Lord Buddha’s message on peace, compassion and harmony at a celebration held virtually on May 13 to observe the International Day of Vesak, which was dedicated to the Lord Buddha.

Throughout the “Doi moi” (Renewal) process, the belief and religious life in Vietnam has changed towards greater freedom and progress, with belief and religious activities taking place vibrantly, and the right to belief and religious freedom better protected, which has been recognised by the international community.

A Vesak ritual was hosted by the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha (VBS) and the Embassy of Vietnam in Mozambique to mark Buddha’s 2,565th birthday and to pray for peace on May 26 in the capital Maputo.

The Vietnam Buddhist Sangha (VBS) has handed over medical supplies worth 1.8 billion VND (78,320 USD) to help the India government and people battle COVID-19.

Ambassador Dang Dinh Quy, head of the Vietnam Permanent Mission to the United Nations, has reaffirmed the value and vitality of Buddhist doctrines in the context that the world is facing conflicts, climate change and COVID-19 pandemic that are threatening human progress over the past decades.

Since 1999, the United Nations recognized Lord Buddha’s birthday as a global cultural festival. In Vietnam, Lord Buddha’s birthday is an important ceremony.

The 2020 Vesak Festival will be broadcast live on Youtube, Facebook, Butta and Phatsuonline, as well as An Vien TV due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Secretary of the Ho Chi Minh City Party Committee Nguyen Thien Nhan has extended best wishes to religious dignitaries and followers in the city on the occasion of the Tet (Lunar New Year) holiday, which starts this weekend (January 25).

The northern province of Ha Nam welcomed over 2 million tourists in nine months of this year, including 77,000 foreigners, a significant increase from the previous years.

The successful organisation of the 16th United Nations Day of Vesak earlier this year helped demonstrate Vietnam’s respect for the freedom of belief and religion, Deputy Prime Minister Truong Hoa Binh said at a meeting on July 29.

Vietnam has consistently pursued the policy of respecting and guaranteeing the right to freedom of citizens to follow or not follow any religion and belief, stated the Foreign Ministry’s spokesperson Le Thi Thu Hang.

The Vietnam Buddhist Shangha (VBS) coordinated with the Embassy of Vietnam in Mozambique to celebrate the Lord Buddha’s 2563rd birth anniversary in Maputo on May 29.

Huong, Tam Chuc and Bai Dinh pagodas are home to beautiful scenery and relics showing the development of Buddhism in Vietnam. They have formed a tourist route attracting pilgrims and visitors.

A ceremony was held at Bang Long Pagoda in Vientiane, Laos, on May 21 to mark the Buddha’s 2563rd birthday, with the participation of hundreds of Buddhist monks, nuns, and followers from the Vietnamese community in the country.

The Vietnam Buddhist Sangha (VBS)’s chapter in Ho Chi Minh City held a ceremony to mark Lord Buddha’s 2563rd birthday at the Vietnam Quoc Tu Pagoda on May 19.

“Extremely beautiful, unbelievable! I am so surprised at the beauty of Vietnam when experiencing a boat tour along Sao Khe river to visit Trang An world heritage complex. Such a unique landscape.”

The Culture Department of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha (VBS)-Ho Chi Minh City chapter held a grand music festival on the night of May 16 to celebrate the United Nations Day of Vesak 2019 and Buddha’s 2563rd birth anniversary.

The success of the UN Vesak 2019 has helped improve Vietnamese Buddhism in terms of its international integration. Besides, the event was an opportunity for Vietnam to promote spiritual tourism.

UN Day of Vesak held in Ha Nam province from May 12-14 set various records recognised by the World Record Association and Vietnam Record Association.