Religions always accompany the nation, contributing to creating Vietnamese character, identity and strength.

The Prime Minister delivered a concluding speech at the conference to honor religious organizations that have contributed to the cause of national construction and defense. Photo: VGP/Nhat Bac

On August 30, at Thong Nhat Hall, Ho Chi Minh City, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh chaired a conference to honor religious organizations that have contributed to the cause of national construction and defense.

Attending the Conference were Comrade Nguyen Van Nen - Politburo member, Secretary of the Ho Chi Minh City Party Committee; Party Central Committee members: Pham Thi Thanh Tra - Deputy Head of the Central Organization Committee, Minister of Home Affairs; Le Tien Chau - Vice President, General Secretary of the Central Committee of the Vietnam Fatherland Front; Phan Van Mai - Deputy Secretary of the City Party Committee, Chairman of the Ho Chi Minh City People's Committee; Major General Nguyen Van Gau - Deputy Director of the General Department of Politics of the Vietnam People's Army; leaders of ministries, departments, branches, central agencies and Ho Chi Minh City; dignitaries and officials of 43 religions and religious dignitaries who are deputies of the 15th National Assembly.

Minister of Home Affairs Pham Thi Thanh Tra speaks at the Conference. Photo: VGP/Nhat Bac

The conference heard many passionate and responsible, profound and intellectual opinions of dignitaries, officials, representatives of religious organizations and leaders of central departments, ministries and branches to implement more practically and effectively the policies and laws on belief and religion of our Party and State in the coming time.

Dignitaries and officials speak at the Conference. Photo: VGP/Nhat Bac

Dignitaries, officials and leaders of religions expressed their joy at the great achievements of the country; affirmed their strong support for the policies, guidelines and laws of the Party and State, including the policy on religion; religions continue to take actions to actively contribute to the implementation of the policy of great national unity and religious unity in the cause of building and defending the Fatherland, for the goal of a rich people, a strong country, democracy, fairness, civilization, on par with the world powers.

Pastor Tran Thanh Truyen, Head of the Seventh-day Adventist Church of Vietnam, expressed his impression and agreement with Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh's viewpoint of "not saying no, not saying difficult, not saying yes but not doing"; said that in the difficult context of the pandemic, we have done very well in charity work, taking care of people's lives and vaccinating; cited UNDP's assessment that the Vietnamese people highly agree with the Party and State's epidemic prevention solutions.

Dignitaries, officials and religious leaders expressed their joy at the country's great achievements. Photo: VGP/Nhat Bac

Speaking at the Conference, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh emphasized that on the occasion of the 77th anniversary of the August Revolution and National Day September 2, he had special feelings with the leaders of the Party, State, and Vietnam Fatherland Front attending this event. On behalf of the Party and State leaders and with personal feelings, the Prime Minister sent to the dignitaries, officials, leaders of religious organizations, and religious people his respectful greetings, warm regards, and best wishes.

The Prime Minister emphasized: "Living a good life and following good religion" is perhaps the guiding principle for religious organizations with many noble gestures of humanity and solidarity. Photo: VGP/Nhat Bac

Creating tradition, identity, culture, strength, and resources for great solidarity of the entire Vietnamese people

The Prime Minister recalled that President Ho Chi Minh, the national liberation hero and world cultural celebrity, when referring to the common values ​​of solidarity, humanity and benevolence of revolutionary and religious doctrines, said: "Jesus taught: Morality is charity. Buddha taught: Morality is compassion. Confucius taught: Morality is benevolence"; "If religions and non-religious people unite, if the whole people unite, if the whole country is of one mind, our people will definitely win".

The Prime Minister affirmed: That teaching still holds true today regarding unity, solidarity in diversity, respect for religious differences, creating tradition, identity, culture, strength, and resources for great solidarity of our entire nation. Religious compatriots are a part of the flesh and blood of the Vietnamese nation, of the great national solidarity bloc. Throughout the country's history, religious life has been an inseparable part of the cultural and spiritual life of the Vietnamese nation and the Vietnamese people. Vietnam is a multi-religious and multi-faith country, 43 organizations belonging to 16 religions have been recognized by the State and granted certificates of registration for operation; over 26.5 million followers, accounting for 27% of the country's population.

"Each belief and religion has its own cultural features but all aim at the values ​​of Truth, Goodness and Beauty. Therefore, beliefs and religions have a fusion, interweaving and harmony, unity in diversity. Right from the beginning of independence and autonomy after a thousand years of Chinese domination, the phenomenon of "three religions of the same origin" or the smooth fusion of Confucianism, Buddhism and Taoism has become a prominent and unique feature of Thang Long culture and Dai Viet civilization," the Prime Minister said.

The head of the Government affirmed: Our Party and State have always consistently implemented the policy of respecting and ensuring the freedom of belief and religion of all people. Photo: VGP/Nhat Bac

The Head of Government affirmed: Our Party and State have always consistently implemented the policy of respecting and ensuring the freedom of belief and religion of all people. Immediately after the founding of the Democratic Republic of Vietnam, many religious dignitaries were invited by President Ho Chi Minh to be advisors to the Government.

Since the first National Assembly term up to now, nearly 60 prominent religious dignitaries and officials have been elected to the National Assembly (including those re-elected many times) and thousands of religious dignitaries have participated as delegates to People's Councils at all levels, making practical contributions to the building and consolidation of the people's government.

During the struggle for independence, freedom, national unification, and the construction of the Vietnamese Fatherland, tens of thousands of religious dignitaries, officials, and followers have participated in unions and social organizations, making many important contributions to the cause of building and defending the Fatherland. Religious dignitaries have clearly demonstrated their role as a bridge between the Party and the people; exemplary in implementing the Party's guidelines and policies and the State's laws; and at the same time, mobilizing followers to actively respond and effectively participate in patriotic emulation movements; and well performing the roles, obligations, and responsibilities of citizens.

The Prime Minister emphasized: "Living a good life, living a good religion" is perhaps the guiding principle for religious organizations with many noble gestures of humanity and solidarity imprinted in each of us in each revolutionary period. Every year, religious organizations also coordinate with the Red Cross, the Association for Supporting Poor Patients, the Traditional Medicine Association and organizations at all levels to support thousands of free patient transport trips; organize charity programs for patients in difficult circumstances during the treatment process; organize many charity classes; support tuition fees, books, school supplies, bicycles for poor students overcoming difficulties; build bridges and charity houses; Organizing disaster relief activities, medical activities, education, foreign language learning, information technology, environmental protection, new rural construction... with a value of thousands of billions of VND, contributing significantly to ensuring social security, protecting social order and security, safety and security of people in localities and across the country.

"It can be said that whenever the country has a movement, religions actively respond and contribute effectively to that movement. When the country has difficulties and challenges, with the spirit of great solidarity, religions accompany the country to overcome all difficulties and challenges to build and protect the country. When the country has advantages and opportunities, religions strongly promote the development of a strong and prosperous country and a happy and prosperous people. Religions always stand side by side with the country and the nation in all difficulties, challenges, opportunities and advantages," the Prime Minister said.

Prime Minister: In difficult times, religious organizations promote patriotism, good traditions of solidarity and companionship with the nation. Photo: VGP/Nhat Bac

Contribute to creating Vietnamese mettle and strength to overcome difficulties and challenges

The Prime Minister emphasized that in recent times, in the context of the complicated and unpredictable developments of the COVID-19 pandemic, which has had a profound impact on all aspects of socio-economic life, our country has gone through unprecedented difficulties and challenges since the wars to gain and protect independence, sovereignty and national unity. Recently, the world economy has had complicated and unpredictable developments such as the conflict in Ukraine, high prices and inflation, supply chain disruptions, etc., negatively affecting countries, while our country's economy is highly open, modest in scale, and has limited resilience, so even a small fluctuation from the outside can have a major impact on the country.

It is in these difficult times that religious organizations further promote patriotism, the fine tradition of solidarity and solidarity with the nation; with responsibility and compassion, actively contribute resources and join hands with authorities at all levels in the work of preventing and fighting the COVID-19 pandemic with many good models, creative, practical and effective methods.

To date, more than 3,000 volunteers from religious organizations have participated in the fight against the epidemic, many of whom have volunteered to go to the front lines, facing danger; donated hundreds of billions of VND to the Government's COVID-19 Vaccine Fund; donated many ambulances, equipment, and medical supplies to epidemic areas; supported thousands of tons of food, necessities, and millions of free meals; used dozens of religious organizations' facilities as field hospitals and centralized medical quarantine areas; organized the purchase of agricultural products for farmers in epidemic areas..., contributing to taking care of the spiritual life of those who are living and those who have unfortunately passed away.

"In that humanitarian journey, some people have passed away, leaving behind regrets in the community and society. They are immortal flowers carrying the fragrance of humanity, responsibility, and sacrifice for society," the Prime Minister said.

In addition, religious organizations have demonstrated international spirit by supporting many countries in the fight against COVID-19, contributing to promoting people-to-people diplomacy and strengthening friendship between Vietnam and countries in the region and the world.

The Prime Minister stated that, up to now, we have controlled the epidemic; the recovery and social development have achieved relatively comprehensive results in all aspects. We still ensure macroeconomic stability, control inflation, promote economic growth; ensure major balances (revenue enough to cover expenditure, export enough to import, enough to make a living, energy security is guaranteed, and the labor market is balanced). Social security work has been implemented quickly and is getting better and better. Independence, sovereignty, territorial integrity, political stability, security, order and social safety have been maintained. Foreign relations have been consolidated and enhanced, actively integrating deeply, substantially and effectively. Vietnam's position and prestige in the international arena have been increasingly enhanced.

The Prime Minister emphasized that the above achievements were thanks to the efforts of the entire Party, people and army, including the active participation and meaningful contributions of religious people, religious dignitaries, religious officials and religious organizations. On behalf of the Party and State leaders, the Prime Minister highly appreciated, commended and thanked the positive and effective contributions of religions in Vietnam in the cause of national construction and defense, especially in the prevention and control of the COVID-19 pandemic, and in socio-economic recovery and development.

"It can be affirmed that in difficult times, the good moral values, the spirit of humanity, benevolence, and living a good life of good religion of religions have been highly promoted, harmonizing and cultivating patriotism, the spirit of great national unity, religious solidarity and national cultural values, contributing to creating the invincible mettle and strength of the Vietnamese people. We have defeated the epidemic thanks to our steadfast belief in the wise leadership of the Party and State, the determination of the Government and Prime Minister, the participation of the entire political system; the joint efforts and unanimity of organizations and all classes of people, including religious dignitaries and followers, and the help of international friends," the Prime Minister emphasized.

Dignitaries and representatives of religious organizations attended the conference. Photo: VGP/Nhat Bac

Strongly promote endogenous strength and human resources of Vietnam

Spending a lot of time analyzing fundamental issues in the process of developing, building and defending the Fatherland, the Prime Minister stated that our Party and State have identified three pillars in this process: Building socialist democracy, building a socialist rule-of-law State, building a socialist-oriented market economy; at the same time identifying three strategic breakthroughs in institutions, infrastructure and human resources. Taking internal resources (including people, nature, cultural-historical traditions with the spirit of great national solidarity) as fundamental, strategic, long-term and decisive; external resources as important and breakthrough, in which people are identified as the most important factor, the center, the subject, the goal and the driving force, the resource for development, maximizing the intelligence, capacity, qualities and ethics of Vietnamese people.

The 13th National Party Congress set the goal of becoming a developing country by 2025 with modern industry, surpassing the low-middle income level; and by 2030, a developing country with modern industry, high-middle income, and socialist orientation. The Congress also emphasized the importance of national unity and the promotion of endogenous strength in moving towards those strategic goals. In particular, religion was affirmed as one of the resources contributing to the construction and development of the country.

The Prime Minister took a souvenir photo with dignitaries and representatives of religious organizations attending the conference. Photo: VGP/Nhat Bac

At the Conference, delegates from various religions mentioned the human factor in different aspects in their speeches, which is consistent with the Party and State's guidelines, policies, and laws, and affirms the spirit of great solidarity.

In that spirit, promoting valuable lessons on the participation and cooperation of religious organizations in the cause of national construction and defense, on behalf of the Party and State leaders, the Prime Minister requested leaders of religious organizations to continue to mobilize dignitaries, officials, and followers to participate in building and implementing the Party's guidelines and policies, and the State's laws and policies. Maintain the direction of religious practice closely associated with and accompanying the nation. Strengthen the great national and religious solidarity bloc. Promote the good cultural and ethical values ​​of religions in social life. Actively participate in patriotic emulation movements, health, education, vocational training, social security, hunger eradication and poverty reduction activities, contributing to local socio-economic development. Promote the resources and strengths of religious organizations and individuals in national construction and development. Actively participate in foreign affairs and international integration activities.

The Prime Minister recalled President Ho Chi Minh's words: "Our solidarity is not only broad but also long-lasting. Solidarity is a national policy…".

The Prime Minister requested relevant ministries, branches, agencies and localities to continue to thoroughly grasp and strictly implement the Central regulations on beliefs, religions and state management of beliefs and religions. Concretize legal documents into guiding viewpoints of Party committees and authorities at all levels on the principle of ensuring unity and consistency.

At the same time, advise the Party and State to perfect institutions, policies and laws related to beliefs and religions and build mechanisms to mobilize and promote all resources of the whole society, including religions, in building and developing the country.

Continue to pay attention and have specific policies to encourage materially and spiritually outstanding people with achievements in patriotic emulation movements. Take care of socio-economic development, improve the material and spiritual life of the people, especially religious communities, for the goal of a rich people, a strong country, democracy, equality and civilization, contributing to building and protecting the Fatherland in the new situation, a strong and prosperous country, and a happy and prosperous people.

The Prime Minister also requested the Vietnam Fatherland Front, central agencies, provinces and cities to strengthen advocacy work, regularly grasp the thoughts and aspirations of religious people, and protect their legitimate rights and interests.

Continue to pay attention to and strengthen dialogue with religious organizations, listen, create closeness, sincerity and trust between religious dignitaries and followers. Pay attention to considering and resolving legitimate proposals and recommendations of religious organizations, dignitaries and individuals in accordance with the Party and State's policies and laws, or propose to ministries, branches and the Government to resolve according to their authority. Create favorable conditions for religious organizations to operate within the framework of the Constitution and laws and implement the motto "good life - good religion".

At the same time, actively prevent, detect, stop and resolutely combat and refute propaganda and distortions of the religious situation in Vietnam; handle negative manifestations and acts of taking advantage of beliefs and religions to violate the law, commit acts contrary to morality, customs, and culture of the nation; cause division and sabotage the great national unity bloc, and sabotage our country's revolution.

The Prime Minister requested the Ministry of Home Affairs to preside over and coordinate with relevant agencies to seriously absorb and synthesize the valid opinions of the delegates; promptly handle proposals and recommendations within its authority or submit them to competent authorities for handling in accordance with the provisions of law.