Religious organizations always unite for the common development of the country.

Photo caption — President To Lam speaks. Photo: Nhan Sang/VNA

Also attending were Party Central Committee members: Head of the Office of the President Le Khanh Hai, Permanent Deputy Head of the Central Committee for Mass Mobilization Pham Tat Thang; leaders of a number of central departments, ministries and branches, and 60 delegates who are prominent leaders of religious organizations.

The meeting, attended by leaders and dignitaries of 45 religious organizations belonging to 16 religions recognized by the Party and State, is a vivid demonstration of the Party and State's attention to religion; affirming our State's policy of respecting freedom of belief and religion.

At the meeting, Deputy Minister of Home Affairs Vu Chien Thang gave an overview of the religious situation in Vietnam. Accordingly, as of May 2024, the State has recognized and granted registration of activities to 43 organizations belonging to 16 religions, with over 27 million followers (accounting for over 27% of the country's population), including over 54,000 dignitaries, 135,500 functionaries; over 29,600 religious worship facilities and about over 54,000 belief facilities.

Over the years, with the attention of the Party and the State, organizations and the majority of religious followers in Vietnam have always promoted the tradition of patriotism and national solidarity, attached to and accompanied the nation, making an important contribution to the cause of building and defending the Fatherland. Religious organizations, with their love for humanity, have joined hands with the State in social security work, joined hands and united with the government and people in the cause of building and developing the country. Along with that, religious organizations have mobilized dignitaries, officials, and followers to strictly comply with the Party's guidelines and policies, the State's policies and laws; at the same time, religious organizations are an important communication channel contributing to bringing the Party's policies and the State's policies and laws into life and to religious people quickly and effectively.

Speaking at the meeting, representatives of religions introduced practical, useful and specific activities to join hands with the community, ensure social security, and expressed their belief in the leadership of the Party, State, and Vietnam as well as religions will continue to have new achievements on the path of development.

At the meeting, expressing his joy at welcoming the delegation of religious leaders at the Presidential Palace, where beloved President Ho Chi Minh lived and worked and always paid special attention to religions, President To Lam conveyed the warm and sincere greetings of General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong to the leaders and dignitaries of religious organizations as well as all religious and religious people across the country.

The President pointed out that throughout the nation's history, especially in the process of innovation, construction and protection of the socialist Fatherland, the country had to face countless difficulties and challenges, but with the will, determination and great national unity, under the leadership of the Party, our people have overcome all and made great achievements of historical significance. Our country "has never had such a foundation, potential, prestige and international position as today". In that common achievement, there are worthy contributions from religious organizations and religious dignitaries who have joined hands and united for the common development of the country.

Reviewing the contributions of religious organizations to the construction and development of the country since the founding of the Democratic Republic of Vietnam, President To Lam said that our Party and State always respect citizens' freedom of belief and religion, considering it a legitimate need of a part of the people, affirming that religious ethics have many things in line with the traditional ethics of the nation and the construction of a new society; always paying attention to and creating conditions for religious people to practice their religion normally and encouraging activities that benefit the country and their families, contributing to building an increasingly prosperous country.

According to the President, the whole country is currently striving to promote the strength of culture, people and the great national unity bloc to develop the country rapidly, sustainably and firmly protect the Fatherland; striving to turn our country into a developing country with modern industry and high average income by 2030 when our Party celebrates its 100th anniversary, creating a solid foundation to complete the 100th anniversary of the country's founding by 2045, turning Vietnam into a developed country with high income, democracy, prosperity, civilization, happiness, and steady progress towards socialism. That great and glorious cause requires great determination, great efforts, efforts and active contributions from all walks of life, including religious people, first of all religious dignitaries.

The President expressed his belief that religious organizations, religious dignitaries and followers will further promote the values of religious ethics, continue to accompany the nation, and actively contribute to the cause of building and defending the socialist Fatherland. Pay attention to leading religious organizations and followers, coordinate well with Party committees, authorities, the Fatherland Front and mass organizations at all levels to effectively implement the Party and State's guidelines and policies on religion and national solidarity, especially Resolution No. 43-NQ/TW dated November 24, 2023 of the 8th Central Conference, 13th tenure on "continuing to promote the tradition and strength of national solidarity, building our country to be increasingly prosperous and happy"; actively participate in implementing the tasks and goals set forth by the 13th National Party Congress, especially in building the Party and the political system to be increasingly clean and strong, contributing to preparing for the good organization of Party Congresses at all levels towards the success of the 14th National Party Congress.

The President also hopes that religious leaders and dignitaries will continue to better demonstrate their role as an important bridge between the Party and the State and religious compatriots; call on religious compatriots and believers at home and abroad to unite with compatriots and people nationwide to actively respond to patriotic emulation movements, develop the economy - culture - society, ensure national defense, security, and foreign affairs; set an example in implementing the Party's guidelines and policies and the State's laws; fulfill well the role, obligations, and responsibilities of citizens, and implement the direction of practicing religion closely linked to the nation, following the motto "benefiting religion, benefiting life", contributing to building and developing an advanced Vietnamese culture imbued with national identity, promoting the good human values of the Vietnamese people, to develop and build the country.

Stating that our country is facing a great opportunity with many good prospects but there are still many difficulties and challenges, and hostile forces are still looking for ways to divide and sabotage, the President also requested that central ministries, branches, Party committees and local authorities pay attention to and properly implement the Party's policies and the State's laws on religion, guide, assist and create conditions for religions to operate in accordance with the law, creating a stable and healthy environment for religious activities.