Representatives from the authorities included Mr. Dang Trung Thanh, Deputy Director of the Government Committee for Religious Affairs’ Department of Catholic Affairs; Mr. Đặng Văn Xuyến, Vice Chairman of the Thai Binh provincial People’s Committee as well as leaders from departments and agencies of Thai Binh and Hung Yen provinces, and representatives from the Thai Binh chapters of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha and Protestant Church.

There were also over 20,000 young people from 10 northern and central dioceses at the Youth. The annual congress offered a venue for them to meet, exchange views and learn about dogmas so as to adopt a a suitable lifestyle in the future.

At the opening ceremony, after the procession of the cross, trumpet and drum performances, parade and flag raising rituals, Bishop Pierre Nguyen Van De of Thai Binh diocese emphasised that the young people in Ha Noi Archdiocese are the future master of the Church and the successors who will contribute to the construction and development of the Church. Then, Archbishop Leopoldo Girelli, Vatican's non-resident special envoy to Vietnam, delivered a speech of instruction to the youth and on behalf of them, thank the central and local authorities for their attention.

There were art performances and other rituals on November 27 evening. On November 28, the Congress continued with presentations and art exchanges. At the art exchange programme, the youth of the dioceses introduced their regional cultural features such as Quan ho (love duet) singing of Bac Ninh province, Xam xoan singing of Ninh Binh province, cheo (Vietnamese popular opera) of Thai Binh province and then singing with Dan tinh (gourd lute) of Lang Son province… The 11th Youth Day closed on November 28. Next year’s event will be held at Phat Diem diocese in Ninh Binh province.

Some images at the congress:

PV