In 1996, at the age of 16, he came to Thuong Chieu Zen Monaster to practice Buddhism, and later founder Hue Tu Zen Temple, now call Phuong Quang Zen Monastery.

During the two outbreaks of the Covid-19 pandemic in Vietnam, Ven. Thích Nguyên Thông has presented hundreds of gift sets to disadvantaged people, and donated tons of rice for operating the “Rice ATM” installed at the headquarters of Phuoc Thai commune authorities for supporting locals hit hard by the pandemic.

Since, the Buddhist monk has been monthly presenting rice and cash to 16 most disadvantaged people in communes of Phuoc Thai, Phuoc Binh and Long Phuong in Long Thanh district, as well as offered rice and noodles to the poor, street venders and beggars on the 1^st and the 15^th of every lunar month.   

In 2020, Monk Thích Nguyên Thông visited and presented 330 large bottles of fresh water, three water filter machines and three wells to locals of Phu Duc commune in Ben Tre province’s Chau Thanh district facing severe droughts and saltwater intrusion.

From 2006, the abbot monk also started taking care of children with disabilities and orphans. Phuoc Quang Zen temple is currently taking care of 30 children, with 10 of them having intellectual disability, and supports their education from kindergarten to high school.

In addition, Monk Thích Nguyên Thông has collaborated with local authorities and other sponsors in building charity houses for the poor in the locality, presented hundreds of gift sets to Vietnamese returning from Cambodia in Tan Thanh commune of Tay Ninh province’s Chau Thanh district, as well as timely sent relief to victims of natural calamities and poor patients in Dong Nai and neighboring provinces.

Acknowledging his practical contributions through social charities, Ven. Thích Nguyên Thông has been presented with certificates of recommendation from the Prime Minister and local authorities.

PTT