Congress to identify orientations for Buddhist activities in next tenure
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.
The 9th National Buddhist Congress is taking place in Hanoi from November 27 to 29. (Photo: VNA)
Hanoi (VNA) – The 9th NationalBuddhist Congress, an important event held in accordance with the Charter ofthe Vietnam Buddhist Sangha (VBS), is set to review Buddhist affairs during 2017- 2022 and identify orientations for Buddhist activities and the VBS’s tasksfor the 2022 - 2027 tenure.
Talking to the Vietnam News Agency ahead of the congress, MostVenerable Thich Hue Thong, Deputy Secretary-General and Chief of the VBS’sOffice No 2, said the last tenure’s achievements have been recorded in almostall fields, especially external relations. The VBS has properly carried out setprogrammes, including hosting and taking part in conferences and workshops, and hosting international delegations. In particular, it successfully organisedthe UN Day of Vesak celebrations in 2019, which received the internationalcommunity’s high evaluation of its organisation capacity.
Most of other aspects such as monk affairs, Buddhist lawdissemination, education, and charity work have also met requirements, thus ensuringstability and development for Buddhism in Vietnam over the last tenure.
Besides, the application of information technology to officeand administrative activities, preaching, and meetings has generatedconsiderable outcomes, especially amid the COVID-19 pandemic, he noted.
Thistime’s congress is themed “Discipline - Responsibility - Solidarity -Development”, he said, stressing that discipline has become even more importantin the current context as it covers the adherence to Buddhist commandments,other regulations set by the Buddha and predecessors, the VBS’s Charter andrules, as well as the State’s laws, including the Law on Belief and Religion.
The Most Venerable wenton to say that discipline and the sense of responsibility are given the toppriority in this tenure since without those factors, the VBS will be unable todevelop sustainably or stand firm during the integration process to develop inline with the spirit of Buddhism.
Regarding the Charter amendment, he said the VBS previously has maderevisions for six times. At this seventh time, the Charter will be amended in away that better meets Buddhist monks, nuns, and followers’ demand andaspirations and generates legitimate interests for VBS members in line withlaws.
Theamendment also aims to boost the seriousness in monk and nun management whileenhancing the Charter’s consistency with the Law on Belief and Religion andother legal regulations, the VBS official added./.
Bodhi tree, which is considered a sacred symbol of Buddhism, is seen in many places in the northern province of Ninh Binh. Locals use Bodhi leaves to make artistic paintings with spiritual meanings.
Most Venerable Thich Thien Nhon, Chairman of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha (VBS)’s Executive Council, held talks with Most Venerable Bounma Simavong, President of the Lao Buddhist Coalition, in Vientiane on September 23 as part of his working visit to Laos.
The Vietnam Buddhist Sangha (VBS) and the Lao Buddhist Coalition held a ceremony in Vientiane on September 24 to mark the Vietnam-Laos, Laos-Vietnam Friendship and Solidarity Year 2022.
Religions have never had such favourable conditions for their activities in Vietnam like now, Deputy Minister of Home Affairs Vu Chien Thang stressed in a recent writing.
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.
Vietnam has over 4.8 million people exposed to AO/dioxin, including hundreds of thousands in the second, third, and even fourth generations. Many live with severe disabilities, facing high medical costs and loss of earning capacity.
Deputy Foreign Minister Dang Hoang Giang reaffirmed that amnesty is a humanitarian policy of the Party and State, reflecting the Vietnamese tradition of compassion and winning attention and high praise both domestically and internationally.
Vietnam officially grants limited-term visa-free entry to high-profile foreigners whose presence is deemed beneficial to the country’s socio-economic development.
With support from the Vietnamese Association in Ufa, Vietnamese language classes for children have been offered for many years. Currently, 60 children of various ages are attending two classes taught by Duc Anh, free of charge.
Vietnam ranked among the top four countries and territories at the 2025 International Olympiad on Artificial Intelligence (IOAI), reaffirming its strong position in international academic competitions.
All 20 crew members aboard the Vietnamese oil tanker GT Unity were successfully rescued from a fire in the vessel’s engine room, thanks to the swift response of the Liberian-flagged ship Androusa and Vietnamese maritime rescue teams.
Describing Agent Orange as one of the most severe and enduring legacies of the war in Vietnam, Vietnam's former Honorary Consul to Belgium Joseph-Michel de Grand Ry warned that its impact – still affecting generations more than five decades later – could last another two to three decades.
Running from August 4 to September 2, under the hashtag #TuHaoVietNam, the campaign invites participants in two categories: “I Love My Country” video clips and “I Love My Country” check-in photos.
Decree No. 219/2025/ND-CP, which took effect on the issuance date, introduces amendments that integrate the procedure for reporting and explaining the demand for foreign workers into the process of submitting applications for work permits.
With a tight 13-month deadline, the move is under a strategic and urgent policy to bridge educational gaps, train the local workforce, and shore up territorial sovereignty in some of the country’s most remote areas.
The parade and personnel send-off ceremony will officially take place on August 10 at the area surrounding the Statue of King Ly Thai To and Dinh Tien Hoang street of Hoan Kiem ward, with the participation of nearly 3,000 officers, soldiers, and local residents.
According to national technical regulations, AIS installation is mandatory for boats carrying more than 50 passengers. However, operators of smaller vessels (under 50 seats) in Ha Long Bay have voluntarily committed to completing installation by the deadline to enhance operational safety.
The activities include a Vietnamese language teaching training course for overseas Vietnamese teachers from August 13 to 28 in Hanoi, Ninh Binh, and Thai Nguyen.
Specifically, the ships will carry out patrols from 7am to 6pm daily along the main tourist routes in Ha Long Bay, with one ship permanently stationed at Ti Top island. From 6pm to 7am the following day, the mobile vessels return to Tuan Chau island to maintain a 24/7 on-call duty shift, ensuring constant readiness.
The Ministry of Construction (MoC) plans to open to traffic 208km of expressways of six key projects by August 19, bringing the country’s total expressway network to 2,476km.
As of July 1, a two-tier local government model started in 34 provinces and cities, streamlining administration but creating a surplus of public properties. If not promptly addressed, these assets could become a financial burden.
Whether they grow up to become journalists, diplomats, or professionals in other fields, these children can one day become bridges of friendship and cooperation, telling new and inspiring stories of Vietnam – China relations, said Ambassador Pham Thanh Binh.
A 21-year-old Indian tourist was successfully resuscitated and treated by doctors at Hoan My Da Nang Hospital after a near-drowning incident left him in critical condition. After three days of intensive care, the man was discharged from the hospital and has since returned to India.
In an document issued on August 5, the PM emphasised the need to stablise living conditions for people hit by floods, landslides, and flash floods in late July and early August in northern and north-central provinces, especially Dien Bien, Son La, and Nghe An which suffered some of the worst damage.
Although millions of Vietnamese were affected by AO, only over 626,000 individuals, including war veterans and their children suffering from dioxin-related conditions, are currently receiving state benefits.
The 9th National Buddhist Congress is taking place in Hanoi from November 27 to 29. (Photo: VNA) 
