Leader of Government Committee for Religious Affairs receives Vice Mayor of Villebon-sur-Yvette city – France, Chairman of Association Esonne Vietnam

07/31/2014

On July 28, 2014, at the headquarters of Government Committee for Religious Affairs (GCRA), Mr. Phạm Dũng, Deputy Minister of Home Affairs, Chairman of the GCRA received Mr. Alain Guiader, Vice Mayor of Villebon-sur-Yvette city of France, Chairman of Association Esonne Vietnam, member of the Buddhist Association in Truc Lam pagoda. Joining the reception were representatives from departments of Buddhist Affairs and International Cooperation under the Committee.

At the reception, Mr. Phạm Dũng briefed the guest about the religious situation in Vietnam. Vietnam is a multi–religion country with many religious followers, the Vietnamese Party and State always pay due attention to the people’s life and their need for belief and religion, respect and guarantee citizens’ right to freedom of belief and religion. Currently, Buddhism in Vietnam has about 12 million followers (accounting for half of followers of all religions in Vietnam). Buddhism is a religion having a long tradition and suiting the Vietnamese culture. Buddhism in Vietnam has rapidly developed for the past years.

Mr. Phạm Dũng, Deputy Minister of Home Affairs, Chairman of the GCRA presents gift to Mr. Alain Guiader

Mr. Alain Guiader also informed the host about the religious situation in France and highlighted influences of Buddhism in France. He thanked the Government Committee for Religious Affairs for its warm welcome and expected that the two sides will have more cooperation opportunities. He expressed his hope that the GCRA will continue to give support to the Buddhist Association in Truc Lam pagoda in France in the coming time.

ĐKN