At the reception, Vice Chairman Võ Duy Khương briefed the guests about the socio-economic results and cooperative relationships between Da Nang and 32 foreign countries worldwide, including the USA.  Many memoranda of understanding on economic, educational and cultural cooperation have been signed between Da Nang and 30 localities of the USA.  Many non-governmental organizations in the USA have also effectively implemented humanitarian programs to help the city’s disabled children and poor people, he added.

Vice Chairman stated that Vietnam always implements consistent policies to respect and guarantee the right to freedom of belief and religion. The lawful religious organizations operate under the law and are protected by the law. He also affirmed that religious activities in the locality have been conducted in accordance with the Constitution and laws on religion.  He expected that through the visits to Vietnam in general, Da Nang in particularly, IGE will help reflecting to the politicians and people of the USA the religious situation in the city, and Viet Nam in general, and enhance the bilateral cooperative ties between the two countries.

Dr Seiple thanked the city leaders for their warm welcome, and applauded the city for its rapid economic growth and efforts to ensure religious freedom in recent years.  He said that Da Nang has emerged as a model city for religious freedom, and promised to advertise the city’s positive image to other countries around the world./. 

Văn Thước