Addressing the opening ceremony of the UN Day of Vesak 2008 in Hanoi on May 14, Mr Triet said that Vietnam supports the United Nations’ decision to select Vesak Day, which commemorates Buddha’s birthday, Enlightenment and Passing away, as a global cultural and religious festival.

He said that Vietnam boasts many religions of which Buddhism, based on the principles of compassion and charity, has been welcomed and has developed along with the nation since its inception nearly 2,000 years ago.

He acknowledged the Vietnamese Buddhism’s significant contribution to national development, saying that the religion has encouraged monks, nuns and followers to abide by the law, fulfil their duties as citizens, promote religious and ethnic unity and engage in humanitarian and poverty reduction programmes in support of needy people.

The State President reiterated Vietnam’s foreign policy of independence, self-reliance, and diversification and multilateralisation of international relations, and in the spirit of “Vietnam wants to befriend all countries in the world community, striving for peace, stability, cooperation and development.”

He said Vietnam preserves and develops traditional cultural identities and is ready to observe and integrate with other cultures in the world.

He affirmed that Vietnam respects any religions’ fine moral values that suit the culture, morality and lifestyle of the Vietnamese people in order to build a rich people, a strong country and an equitable, democratic and civilised society.

Mr Triet expressed hope that the UN Day of Vesak 2008 will be a good chance for Buddhists to promote understanding and solidarity and join efforts to build a better world for all, contributing to preventing conflicts and wars, and eliminating poverty and human suffering.

In his opening speech, Most Venerable Thich Tu Nhon, deputy head of the Executive Council of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha, called on Buddhist dignitaries, monks, nuns and followers as well as scholars and intellectuals around the world to deliver Buddha’s message of compassion, peace, reconciliation and concord to humankind and realise Buddha’s teachings.

Representatives of the United Nations, the Vatican, Australia, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Thailand and Cambodia extended congratulations to the meeting.