Vesak 2025 and the mark of people's diplomacy

With the theme “Solidarity and Tolerance for Human Dignity: Buddhist Insight for World Peace and Sustainable Development”, this year’s Vesak conveys the message of compassion, tolerance, wisdom and peace to the world. As an important spiritual occasion, Vesak 2025 is also an opportunity for Vietnam to continue affirming its role as a cultural, religious and humanitarian bridge in the international community. Not only participating in Buddhist activities, delegates also experienced the local spiritual and cultural life. This is a clear manifestation of people-to-people diplomacy - a bridge between countries through trust, openness and understanding.

This year's ceremony took place in Ho Chi Minh City - a large urban area with a rich religious life, clearly reflecting the diverse and free religious environment that is being guaranteed in Vietnam.

Vesak 2025 takes place from May 6-8, with the participation of more than 1,500 international delegates from nearly 90 countries and territories. This is not only an international Buddhist event but also an opportunity for Vietnam to strongly affirm its commitment to the legitimate freedom of belief and religion, while promoting people-to-people diplomacy, promoting the image of a peaceful , open country that respects universal human rights.

The close coordination between the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha and agencies, departments and branches shows the spirit of solidarity between the State and religious organizations in ensuring freedom of belief.

Not only stopping at religious rituals, Vesak 2025 is also a multicultural space where Buddhist values ​​are linked with global issues such as peace, sustainable development and human solidarity.

Buddhist art exchange program with the sacred theme of Vesak. (Photo: VESAK 2025)

One of the academic highlights of Vesak 2025 is the international scientific conference taking place on May 7 with the participation of hundreds of scholars, religious dignitaries and social activists from many countries.

With more than 650 English papers and 330 Vietnamese papers submitted, the conference is the largest academic forum within the framework of Vesak 2025. The papers focus on topics such as world peace, sustainable development and the application of Buddhist teachings in modern society...

The participation of Buddhist intellectuals, researchers, and scholars from around the world and domestically shows the harmony between belief, culture, and social responsibility.

In the context of the international community increasingly promoting basic human rights, including religious freedom, the workshop will focus on clearly reflecting Vietnam's consistent and practical policy in encouraging religions to participate in common social issues.

Vesak 2025 highlights the effectiveness of humanistic foreign policy orientation, taking people as the center, and affirms the practical role of religion in building a compassionate and peaceful world.

On the basis of respecting and ensuring human rights, including freedom of belief and religion, Vietnam actively participates in international activities and commitments on human rights, of which Vesak is a clear example.

From Vesak 2008 in Hanoi, Vesak 2014 in Ninh Binh and Vesak 2019 in Ha Nam to Vesak 2025 in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam has been continuously trusted by the international community to be chosen as the country to host and organize Vesak.

Ms. Tran Thi Minh Nga, Deputy Head of the Government Committee for Religious Affairs (Ministry of Ethnic Minorities and Religions), commented: This not only reflects organizational capacity but also reflects an increasingly favorable legal and social environment for religious activities. The State respects and protects the good cultural and ethical values ​​of religions and meets the legitimate spiritual and religious needs of religious people.

Vietnam not only respects freedom of belief and religion within the framework of the law but also affirms the practice of religious freedom through concrete actions, proactively creating conditions for religious organizations to participate in social, humanitarian, educational and environmental protection activities. Through Vesak 2025, Vietnam's consistent policy of respecting and protecting religious freedom is further demonstrated through concrete actions, witnessed by international friends.

In the context of Vietnam running for the United Nations Human Rights Council for the 2026-2028 term, Vesak 2025 is even more important in strengthening the prestige and image of a responsible country that respects human rights and is ready to contribute to world peace.

Vesak 2025 is therefore not only an international cultural and religious event but also a clear demonstration of the effectiveness of Vietnam's people-to-people and cultural diplomacy. Freedom of belief and religion is a living reality in the country's political and social life today.

Source: https://nhandan.vn/vesak-2025-va-dau-an-doi-ngoai-nhan-dan-post877638.html