On behalf of the Party and State, the parliament speaker wished Vietnamese Buddhist dignitaries, monks, nuns and laypeople good health and happiness.
She emphasised that the Buddha’s birthday anniversary is not only an important event in the spiritual lives of Buddhist followers in Vietnam but also a cultural festival recognised by the UN since 1999.
The UN Day of Vesak 2019 saw more than 1,600 delegates from 112 countries and territories worldwide attend various activities held at the Tam Chuc Temple in Ha Nam province.
Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc attended the opening ceremony, whilst National Assembly Chairwoman Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan hosted a gala dinner for the delegates and Deputy PM Truong Hoa Binh delivered a speech at the closing ceremony.
The event, widely covered in the local media, has left a good impression on international friends and affirmed the Vietnamese government’s respect for the freedom of religion and beliefs.
Congratulating the Buddhist leaders, the National Assembly chair expressed her belief that the VBS would continue to apply the Buddha’s teachings to worldly affairs, serving society as a way of practice, thereby attesting the values of Buddhism as a religion of peace.
For his part, Most Venerable Thich Thanh Nhieu thanked the senior law-maker for her congratulations, informing her that the international delegations highly valued the Vietnamese government’s support for the VBS to successfully host the UN Day of Vesak.
On the occasion, he wished the Party, State and Fatherland Front leaders to be happy and prosperous in the period of development and international integration.
