GCRA Chairman Vũ Hoài Bắc (R) and President Kelly R. Johnson

Joining the delegation included Head of the Coordination Committee of the Vietnam LDS church Hoàng Văn Tùng.

At the visiting reception, President Kelly R. Johnson expressed his delight about the working visit of GCRA Chairman Vũ Hoài Bắc to Utah State in October. He thanked the GCRA for its support extended to the LDS church over the past years, including activities of volunteers of the church in Vietnam.

He stated that the LDS Church wished to send more volunteers to Vietnam in order to serve pastoral activities, share religious values and help people better understand the LDS Church. These volunteers would serve as an ambassador who brings the image of Vietnam’s friendliness, diversity and freedom of belief and religion to the US Government and people, and other friends overseas.

At the reception

Chairman Vũ Hoài Bắc hailed charity programs sponsored by the LDS church in Vietnam. According to the Chairman, followers of the LDS Church in Vietnam have well observed State laws, proactively engaged patriotic movements and social programs launched by local authorities for providing clean water, protecting the environment, etc. In 2023, 15 groups with the total of 55 volunteers of the LDS Church have come to Vietnam and it’s the largest number of volunteers coming to Vietnam in recent years. He expressed hope that the church’s volunteers would better understand fine values of culture, and religious diversity in Vietnam. 

Chairman Vũ Hoài Bắc took the chance to thank the LDS Church for its hospitality extended to the visiting delegation and religious dignitaries led by Deputy Minister of Home Affairs Vũ Chiến Thắng and the GCRA delegation led by Chairman Vũ Hoài Bắc to the United State this year.

He also expressed hope that the LDS Church would proactively make further contributions in launching social charities and boosting Vietnam – US relation in the coming time.

Minh Lan