Government religious committee leader receives Russian Ambassador to Vietnam

05/17/2023

Chairman of the Government Committee for Religious Affairs (GCRA) Vũ Hoài Bắc hosted on May 15 a reception for visiting Russian Ambassador to Vietnam Gennady Bezdetko.

Chairman Vũ Hoài Bắc (Right) and Ambassador Gennady Bezdetko

Joining the reception included Chief of the GCRA’s Office Nguyễn Văn Long and Head of the GCRA’s Organization & Personnel and International Relation Division Cát Ngọc Trình.

During the reception, Ambassador Gennady Bezdetko and Chairman Vũ Hoài Bắc had exchanges on issues relating to religious practices of religious followers, mostly Orthodox Christians from Russia and some Eastern European countries in Vietnam, new religious phenomena related to Protestantism in Vietnam and Russia, professional skills in the state administration on belief & religion, and religious practices of Vietnamese Buddhists in Russia.

Speaking with the host, Ambassador Gennady Bezdetko expressed his pleasure at current development of Vietnam-Russia relationship, and thanked the Vietnam Government for creating favorable conditions for religious practices of Russians working and studying in Vietnam. The ambassador also stated that he has been invited to attend several religious events and festivals over the past years, helping him understand more about the diversity of the religious life in the country.

At the reception

The Ambassador also expressed hope for enhanced cooperation and exchanges of information between the two sides, contributing to deepen the traditional friendship and cooperation between the two countries.

Chairman Vũ Hoài Bắc highlighted efforts of Vietnam government in ensuring everyone’s right to freedom of belief and religion, including religious practices of foreigners legally residing in Vietnam.

The official also asked for enhanced collaboration between the GCRA and Russian Embassy in the field of belief & religion for further meeting current legitimate needs relating religious practices by religious citizens of the two countries.

On the occasion, Ambassador Gennady Bezdetko invited the GCRA leader to attend the 33rd anniversary of Independence Day of the Russian Federation (June 12, 1990-2023), and the 11th anniversary of the Vietnam-Russia comprehensive strategic partnership.

Posing for a group photo

 

Nguyên Hải