Vesak 2025: Affirming the policy of freedom of belief and religion in Vietnam

On the morning of May 8, at the Vietnam Buddhist Academy in Ho Chi Minh City (Le Minh Xuan Commune, Binh Chanh District, Ho Chi Minh City), the 2025 United Nations Day of Vesak officially closed.

In the solemn atmosphere of the ceremony, Comrade Nguyen Hoa Binh, Politburo member, Permanent Deputy Prime Minister, affirmed that the successful hosting and organization of the Vesak 2025 in Ho Chi Minh City is a clear mark, showing the increasingly enhanced role of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha in the international Buddhist community and in enhancing dialogue on global issues. This is also a vivid demonstration of Vietnam's commitment to disseminating the Buddha's teachings.

Permanent Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Hoa Binh speaks at the closing ceremony. Photo: VIET DUNG

According to the Deputy Prime Minister , the success of the ceremony affirmed many humanistic values ​​and great achievements of the country and people of Vietnam. These are the cultural traditions of peace, compassion, kindness, and love of peace of the Vietnamese people; the Party's correct policy of freedom of belief and religion and its effective implementation in practice; the results of caring for and improving the material and spiritual life of the people. At the same time, it affirmed Vietnam's international position, prestige, and proactive responsibility in participating in solving global issues.

Comrade Nguyen Van Nen, Politburo member, Secretary of the Ho Chi Minh City Party Committee attended the closing ceremony. Photo: VIET DUNG

According to comrade Nguyen Hoa Binh, after 40 years of renovation, Vietnam has made many efforts and achievements in implementing the United Nations' millennium goals, thereby continuously improving the material and spiritual life of the people. In 2025, Vietnam will exempt children from school fees, complete the elimination of temporary and dilapidated houses and build new houses for people with meritorious services, poor households and near-poor households. Vietnam will also soon have solutions to reduce the burden of medical expenses, moving towards exempting hospital fees for the people.

Vietnam has also consistently implemented a policy of respecting and protecting people's freedom of belief and religion; ensuring equality and non-discrimination on the basis of belief and religion. Under the leadership of the Party and State of Vietnam, over the years, religious followers have always been united, closely connected, and actively participated in the cause of national construction and development, contributing significantly to socio-economic development, ensuring social security, humanitarian charity, and together with the State taking care of the poor and disadvantaged, leaving no one behind.

Delegates attending the closing ceremony. Photo: VIET DUNG

The ceremony attracted the participation of nearly 3,000 domestic and international delegates, including many heads of state, leaders of countries, representatives of the United Nations, more than 1,350 international delegates from 85 countries and territories, along with tens of thousands of monks, nuns, Buddhists and people with Buddhist beliefs everywhere...

Vesak Festival 2025 with the participation of nearly 3,000 delegates. Photo: VIET DUNG

The Permanent Deputy Prime Minister expressed that the Vesak Festival 2025 was held very solemnly and respectfully, is an international religious and cultural event of great scale and stature and was very successful.

He sincerely thanked and appreciated the efforts of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha, congratulated the success of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha and members of the International Organizing Committee (ICDV), the Organizing Committee of the United Nations Day of Vesak 2025; the support of central departments, ministries, branches and relevant local authorities, international and Vietnamese news agencies... who have devoted much effort and dedication, making an important contribution to the 2025 Day of Vesak achieving the expected results.

The United Nations Day of Vesak 2025 is not only a major Buddhist festival, but also a global message of peace that Buddhism sends to the world. The event affirms that true peace does not come from military power, but from the inner transformation of human beings through moral life, compassion and wisdom.

The success of the ceremony is a testament to the effective cooperation between the International Committee for the Day of Vesak (ICDV) and the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha, with the special support of the Party and Government of Vietnam - a country committed to peace, cultural diversity and international cooperation.

THU HOAI

Source: https://www.sggp.org.vn/dai-le-vesak-2025-khang-dinh-chinh-sach-tu-do-tin-nguong-ton-giao-o-viet-nam-post794258.html