At the reception

Joining the reception included Head of the GCRA’s Protestant Affairs Division Thiều Thị Hương and Pastor Lê Quốc Huy from the Vietnam General Baptist Church.

Welcoming Pastor Derek Forbes to Vietnam, Vice Chairman Nguyễn Tiến Trọng reaffirmed the consistent policy of the Party and State of Vietnam on respecting and ensuring freedom of religion and the equality of religions before the law.

He expressed regret that the U.S. continued including Vietnam in the Special Watch List for religious freedom in 2024 and expressed hope that Pastor Derek Forbes in particular and the BGEA would contribute their voices to convey the image of the beautiful country and freedom policies on belief and religion in Vietnam to the Government and people of the U.S., so that Vietnam would be early removed from the SWL list.

GCRA Vice Chairman Nguyễn Tiến Trọng (right) has exchanges with Pastor Derek Forbes

At the reception, Pastor Derek Forbes shared about the BGEA delegation's working visit to Vietnam and took the chance to thank the GCRA of Vietnam and Ho Chi Minh City authorities for supporting the BGEA to successfully organize the "Spring of Love" program in Ho Chi Minh City on March 4-5, 2023.

The pastor highly appreciated the fine relation between the BGEA and the GCRA, and affirmed that Pastor Franklin Graham, President of the BGEA would continue playing an “ambassador” role of Vietnam to the U.S.

NL