Joining the reception ahead of the lunar New Year (Tet) 2019 were Vice Chairman of the GCRA Trần Tấn Hùng, representatives of the GCRA’s Buddhist Affairs Department and Buddhist dignitaries of the VBS’s Northern Central Office.

During the visit, Most Venerable Thích Thanh Nhiễu took the chance to inform the host results of the VBS Buddhist affairs 2018 as well as the second meeting between the VBS and the International Council for the United Nation Day of Vesak 2019 to be hosted by the Vietnam Buddhist church. The Buddhist leader also shared that the Buddhist church’s chapter in all 63 provinces and cities of the country has provided support for the disadvantaged in localities on occasion of the Tet festival 2019.

While extending Tet greetings to the government religious committee’s officials and employees, Most Venerable Thích Thanh Nhiễu expressed hope to receive due attention and support from the GCRA for Buddhist affairs of the church in 2019, including the UN Day of Vesak celebrations to take place in Vietnam’s Northern Province of Ha Nam.

Speaking with the Buddhist dignitaries, Chairman Vũ Chiến Thắng hailed the Vietnam Buddhist church’s activities for practically supporting the poor in localities and asked the Buddhist church to promote its role for limiting the burning of joss paper, especially during the Tet festival.

The Buddhist delegation at the Tet visit to the government religious committee

On the same day, Archbishop Joseph Vũ Văn Thiên of Hanoi Archdioce led a delegation visiting and extending Tet greetings to the government religious committee.

The Catholic dignitaries were welcomed by Chairman Vũ Chiến Thắng, Vice Chairman Trần Tấn Hùng and representatives of the GCRA’s Catholic Affairs Department.

The Catholic delegation at the government religious committee

PTT