The 9th National Buddhist Congress opened in Hanoi on November 28. (Photo: VNA)
Hanoi (VNA) - The 9th National BuddhistCongress opened in Hanoi on November 28, with President Nguyen Xuan Phucattending.
The congress, held in accordance with the Charter ofthe Vietnam Buddhist Sangha (VBS), brought together 1,091 delegates, includingBuddhist dignitaries, monks, nuns and followers.
In his opening remarks, Most Venerable Thich ThienNhon, Chairman of the VBS's Executive Council, reviewed the work of theSangha in the 2017-2022 term and called on its monks, nuns and followers tocarry forward the spirit of solidarity and harmony to better take care ofpeople’s well-being and happiness.
The Sangha will continue to accompany the nation towards the 100th founding anniversary in 2045, thus building a Vietnam ofdevelopment, power and prosperity, he pledged.
Addressing the event, President Phuc lauded the VBSand its members for their engagement in patriotic emulation movements launchedby all-level authorities, the Vietnam Fatherland Front and mass organisations in thefields of poverty reduction, new rural area building, environmental protection,climate change response, disease prevention and control, and the fight againstnegative phenomena.
They have played an active role in health care,education, humanitarian aid and social welfare, he continued, noting that they haveraised 7 trillion VND (282.25 million USD) in support of the poor, people withdisabilities, those in difficult circumstances, orphans, homeless seniors andpeople affected by natural disasters and epidemics.
President Nguyen Xuan Phuc speaks at the event. (Photo: VNA)
The leader also praised their participation in theCOVID-19 fight, saying thousands of monks, nuns and followers voluntarilyworked in the forefront of the combat, raising funds for the purchase ofvaccines and medical equipment, and presenting tens of millions of giftpackages and meals to needy persons.
He affirmed that the Party and the State persistently pursue the policy of respecting and guaranteeing the right tofreedom of belief and religion, and non-belief and non-religion, as well asequality between religions, ensuring that the practice of religions is conducted in line with laws,charters and regulations recognised by the State.
He asked the VBS to uphold good values of Buddhismand consolidate its position as the only Buddhist organisation in Vietnam formonks, nuns and followers both at home and abroad.
The President also urged ministries, agencies,all-level Party Committees and authorities and the Vietnam Fatherland Front tofurther facilitate the practice of religions in general and Buddhism in particularin accordance with law.
Themed “Discipline - Responsibility - Solidarity -Development”, the congress will review Buddhist activities over the past fiveyears and sketch out tasks for the VBS in the next five years.
One of the important contents of the congress isadjusting the VBS Charter.
Participants will discuss the implementation of 12targets and programmes, focusing on tightening the Sangha's rules in line with theimplementation of responsibilities of Buddhist dignitaries and followers./.
Nearly 1,100 delegates from across the country will attend the ninth National Buddhist Congress, scheduled for November 28-29 in Hanoi, heard a press conference on November 23 to introduce the event.
The 9th National Buddhist Congress, an important event held in accordance with the Charter of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha (VBS), is set to review Buddhist affairs during 2017 - 2022 and identify orientations for Buddhist activities and the VBS’s tasks for the 2022 - 2027 tenure.
State President Luong Cuong’s trip once again reaffirmed the Party and State’s foreign policy of independence, self-reliance, diversification and multilateralisation of relations. It also reflected the strong trend of enhanced cooperation among countries of the Global South in shaping a new, more multipolar, fair and equitable world order.
The outcomes of Party General Secretary To Lam's visit will serve as a driving force and source of inspiration for the two countries to inherit, promote, and elevate their Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, contributing to the national construction and development cause in each country, and to peace, cooperation, and development in the region and the world.
Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh on August 9 inspected the construction site of the new Phong Chau bridge, and surveyed a planned route for the Lao Cai – Hanoi – Hai Phong railway section running through the northern province of Phu Tho.
Across print, broadcast, and online platforms, Angolan media portrayed State President Luong Cuong's visit as a warm and historic occasion, strengthening bilateral ties and boosting Vietnam’s presence in Africa through the AU.
The 500kV Lao Cai – Vinh Yen power transmission line has a total investment of over 7.41 trillion VND (282.5 million USD), and a total length of 229.5 km, passing through 31 communes in the two provinces, and comprising 468 transmission tower foundations.
The visits reflected the elevated position of Vietnam’s foreign policy in the new era—aimed at not only advancing ties with key regional partners like Egypt and Angola but also delivering a strategic message about Vietnam’s commitment to deepening relations with African nations as a whole.
At their talks and meetings, President Cuong and Angola’s top leaders affirmed that the close brotherhood and traditional friendship are a valuable shared asset and a solid foundation for the two nations to advance into a new phase of development.
The ruling People’s Movement for the Liberation of Angola (MPLA) attaches great importance to the friendship, solidarity, and comradeship with the Communist Party of Vietnam, and voiced her Party’s wish to further deepen and expand relations between the two sides for the benefit of the Vietnamese and Angolan people.
Vietnam pledges to do its utmost to build an ASEAN of solidarity, consensus, and unity in diversity, and to foster a fast and sustainable development path for ASEAN, grounded in science, technology, and innovation, said Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh.
Party General Secretary To Lam called on the criminal police force to accelerate the application of science, technology, artificial intelligence, and digital transformation in criminal investigation tasks such as crime prevention, detection, tracking and verification, ensuring that no area remains out of their reach.
Many Koreans living, studying, and working in Hanoi see the upcoming state visit to the Republic of Korea (RoK) by Party General Secretary To Lam as an opportunity to generate strong synergy in economic cooperation, people-to-people exchanges, and cultural understanding.
The achievements of the five decades of Vietnam–Angola cooperation provide a strong and enduring foundation, as well as momentum for the two sides to consolidate, expand, and bring their partnership into a new phase of development.
Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh stressed that the emulation and commendation work is a vital driver, fostering patriotism, dedication, and collective momentum in the run-up to the 11th National Patriotic Emulation Congress, Party congresses at all levels, and the 14th National Party Congress.
Emphasising the need for sustainable, long-term collaboration, National Assembly Chairman Tran Thanh Man called on Japanese investors not only to bring in capital but also to share expertise and modern technology, especially in areas such as green transformation, the circular economy, and advanced corporate governance.
President Luong Cuong's activities during his state visit to Angola, the celebration of the financial sector's 80th traditional day, and the Foreign Ministry's flag-hoisting ceremony marking the 58th founding anniversary of ASEAN are among news highlights on August 8.
Vietnamese Ambassador to Thailand Pham Viet Hung praised the Thai Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ meaningful initiative, noting that the ASEAN Family Run was not only a sporting activity but also an opportunity for diplomats and their families to show unity, connection, and solidarity within the ASEAN family.
Politburo member, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh on August 8 attended the first congress of the Party Organisation of Tay Ho ward of Hanoi for the 2025–2030 term, during which he called for fresh momentum to turn the ward into a model that takes the lead in all fields.
The size of the economy increased from over 5 billion USD in 1986 to over 476 billion USD by 2024, making Vietnam the fourth-largest economy in Southeast Asia and the 34th largest in the world.
The ASEAN flag-hoisting ceremony is observed by the 10 ASEAN member countries on August 8 every year, aiming to spread and promote the ASEAN identity and affirm the determination to unite and cooperate for the common aspiration of long-term peace and prosperity of Southeast Asian countries under the common roof of the ASEAN Community.
Vice Chairman of the municipal People’s Committee Nguyen Manh Cuong highlighted ASEAN’s nearly six decades of development, during which the region transformed from division to harmony, from confrontation to cooperation, and from poverty to dynamic growth, becoming a global bright spot for regional cooperation.
The 9th National Buddhist Congress opened in Hanoi on November 28. (Photo: VNA) 
President Nguyen Xuan Phuc speaks at the event. (Photo: VNA) 
