Religious organizations visit and extend New Year greetings to Nghe An province.

The delegation was led by Bishop Alphonsus Nguyen Huu Long - Bishop of the Vinh Diocese and Venerable Thich Tho Lac - Standing Member of the Executive Council, Head of the Central Culture Committee of the Vietnam Buddhist Association, and Deputy Head of the Standing Committee of the Provincial Buddhist Association.

Receiving the delegation were the leaders of Nghe An province, including: Nguyen Khac Than - Member of the Central Committee of the Party, Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee; Hoang Nghia Hieu - Standing Deputy Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee, Chairman of the Provincial People's Council; Vo Trong Hai - Deputy Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee, Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee; along with other members of the Standing Committee of the Provincial Party Committee, and leaders of various departments and agencies.

Provincial Party Secretary Nguyen Khac Than stated that 2025 will be a difficult and challenging year, but with the leadership of the Central Government and the efforts of the province, Nghe An has achieved very encouraging results in socio-economic development, ensuring national defense and security, and building the Party and political system.

In particular, in the program to eliminate temporary and dilapidated houses for the people, the province has received enthusiastic support from many organizations and individuals, including religious organizations, to eliminate more than 20,800 temporary and dilapidated houses for poor households, households facing housing difficulties, and families of war veterans.

The province has also quickly overcome the consequences of natural disasters and promptly stabilized the lives of the people and the production activities of agencies, organizations, and businesses. In particular, to date, the province has called for and mobilized over 182 billion VND to provide Tết (Lunar New Year) celebrations for the poor and vulnerable, ensuring they can enjoy a warm and joyful Tết in 2026, leaving no one without a Tết celebration.

Provincial Party Secretary Nguyen Khac Than affirmed that the achievements were largely due to the significant contributions of the Bishopric and the Executive Board of the Provincial Buddhist Association, especially Bishop Alphonsus Nguyen Huu Long and Venerable Thich Tho Lac.

Sharing the province's development goals for 2026 and the 2025-2030 term, the Provincial Party Secretary stated that these are very ambitious goals. Therefore, he hoped that the bishops, abbots, priests, monks, nuns, Catholic parishioners, and Buddhists of the province would continue to pay attention to, support, and work together with the Party committees and authorities at all levels to successfully achieve the socio-economic development goals, Party building, and political system building in 2026.

The Provincial Party Secretary also expressed his hope that bishops, abbots, priests, monks, nuns, and Buddhist followers would continue to pay attention to, actively support, and encourage Catholic and Buddhist followers to fully exercise their rights and obligations in the election of National Assembly and People's Council representatives at all levels for the 2026-2023 term in the province.

Through this process, outstanding and worthy individuals are elected to represent the will, aspirations, and right to self-governance of the people in the National Assembly and People's Councils at all levels for the new term, actively contributing to the building, consolidation, and improvement of the socialist rule of law state of the people, by the people, and for the people, under the leadership of the Communist Party of Vietnam.

Furthermore, the province will encourage and guide Catholic and Buddhist followers to actively participate in building their homeland and developing Nghe An province, contributing to improving the lives of the people and ensuring their well-being; and strictly adhering to the guidelines, policies, and laws of the Party and the State. The province will always pay attention to and create favorable conditions for religious organizations to operate and develop in accordance with the law.

On the occasion of preparing to celebrate the Lunar New Year of the Horse 2026, on behalf of the provincial leadership, the Provincial Party Secretary Nguyen Khac Than sends his best wishes for a healthy and happy New Year to Bishop Alphonsus Nguyen Huu Long and Venerable Thich Tho Lac; as well as to all priests, monks, dignitaries, nuns, parishioners, monks, and Buddhist followers.

Speaking at the meeting, Bishop Alphonsus Nguyen Huu Long expressed his joy at the achievements that Nghe An province has made amidst many difficulties and challenges.

Bishop Alphonsus Nguyen Huu Long respectfully expresses his gratitude to the Party committees and authorities of the province for their great attention, support, and timely guidance in addressing the spiritual needs and religious beliefs of Catholic parishioners in the province, which has yielded very positive results.

Bishop Alphonsus Nguyen Huu Long also congratulated Comrade Nguyen Khac Than - Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee - on being elected to the Central Committee of the Party at the 14th National Congress of Delegates; and congratulated him on the successful results of the 20th Provincial Party Congress, term 2025-2030.

On the occasion of preparing to celebrate the Lunar New Year of the Horse 2026, Bishop Alphonsus Nguyen Huu Long sent his best wishes to the provincial leaders, departments, and agencies for a prosperous, joyful, and happy new year; and affirmed that Catholic compatriots will always support and strictly abide by the guidelines and policies of the Party committees and governments at all levels, thereby contributing to bringing a prosperous and happy life to the people.

Venerable Thich Tho Lac - Standing Member of the Executive Council, Head of the Central Culture Committee of the Vietnam Buddhist Association, and Standing Deputy Head of the Provincial Buddhist Association's Executive Board - also expressed his joy at the province's development achievements, especially the increasingly improved living standards of the people.

Venerable Thich Tho Lac respectfully expressed his gratitude for the attention of the Party Committee, the government, agencies, units, and organizations to the spiritual life of Buddhism and Buddhist activities, which has enabled the Church to achieve many positive results in 2025.

At the same time, we hope to continue receiving the attention and support of the provincial leadership for Buddhist activities in general, and especially for the 4th Congress of the Vietnam Buddhist Association of Nghe An province.

Venerable Thich Tho Lac affirmed that, with the spirit of "Buddhism - Nation - Socialism," the Buddhist Association of the province will always stand alongside the province, especially in spiritual life, moral life, and charitable and social welfare programs, with the wish that the people will always be prosperous and happy and the province will develop sustainably.

Venerable Thich Tho Lac also extended his best wishes to the provincial leaders, departments, and agencies, wishing them a Happy New Year filled with good health, happiness, peace, and success.