On the occasion of the Lunar New Year 2014, on January 23, 2014, Mr. Bùi Thanh Hà, Vice Chairman of the Government Committee for Religious Affairs (GCRA) visited and extended Tet greetings to the VBS at Quan Su pagoda in Hanoi. He spoke highly of the achievements the Sangha has made in Buddhist affairs during 2013. He expressed his hope that the VBS will continue promoting the spirit of unity and close attachment to the nation in accordance with the motto “Dharma – Nation - Socialism”

On behalf of the VBS Central Committee, Most Venerable Thích Thanh Nhiễu thanked the Government Committee for Religious Affairs for creating favorable conditions for the Sangha’s Buddhist affairs over the past time. He expressed his hope that in the coming time, the Sangha will receive support and assistance from the Committee to successfully host the 2014 United Nations’ Vesak Day.

On this occasion, Mr. Bùi Thanh Hà also paid a Tet visit to Venerable Thích Gia Quang, Vice Chairman of the VBS Executive Council cum head of the VBS Central Committee for  Information and Pre Media in Lien Phai pagoda.

On behalf of the Committee’s leaders, Mr. Bùi Thanh Hà wished Venerable Thích Gia Quang, monks and nuns and Buddhists a happy new year. He said he hopes that the VBS will promote Buddhists activities and communication work at home and abroad for its further development and growth.

Venerable Thích Gia Quang thanked the Government Committee for Religious Affairs for its care for the VBS’s Buddhist affairs and communication work.

*The Evangelical Church of Vietnam (North)

Also on January 23, 2014, Mr. Bùi Thanh Hà visited the Evangelical Church of Vietnam (North) on the occasion of the Lunar New Year 2014.

On behalf of the Committee’s leaders, Mr. Bùi Thanh Hà wished pastors, ordained pastors and Protestants a happy and prosperous new year. He expressed his wish that the Church will step up pastoral affairs and consolidate its apparatus this year.

Expressing his sincere thanks to the Government Committee for Religious Affairs for its support and assistance in recent years, Pastor Nguyễn Hữu Mạc wished the Committee’s leaders and officials a happy new year. He expressed his hope  that the Committee will continue facilitating the Church’s activities in the coming time.

P.H