Visiting the Vietnam Buddhist Shanga’s Office II and Most Venerable Thich Thien Nhon, Ms Ngan reiterated the Party and State’s respect for and assurance of the right to freedom of religion and belief and law-based religious practices. She said the Vietnamese Party and State pay attention to socio-economic development and create conditions for religious dignitaries and followers including Buddhists to practice their religion and contribute to the homeland. At a meeting with Head of the Vietnam Pure Land Buddhism Practice Association Nguyen Phuong Hieu, Ms Ngan praised religious dignitaries and followers’ contributions to Vietnam’s development and its increased prestige in the world arena.

The same day, a delegation of the Vietnamese Party, State, and Fatherland Front led by Vietnam Fatherland Front President Tram Thanh Man visited Buddhist dignitaries and followers in Soc Trang province. On Saturday, Mr. Man visited Most Venerable Thich Thanh Tu of the Vietnam Buddhist Shangha in Dong Nai province.

Deputy Prime Minister Truong Hoa Binh and Thua Thien Hue province’s leaders attended Buddha’s birthday celebration in some pagodas.