She made an analysis of opportunities and challenges of Vietnam in 2012 and said local Catholics should join hands with people from all social strata to build the bloc of great national unity and better implement Party guidelines and State policies, contributing to local and national development.

The Vice President wished all local priests and Catholics in a merry Christmas and a happy New Year.

Bishop Nguyen Van De of the Thai Binh Diocese said he will do his utmost to encourage Catholic followers to take part in exemplary role model campaigns, lead a religious and secular life, and practise the religion in line with the State law.

On this occasion, vice president Doan presented gifts to 10 poor Catholic families in the diocese.   

The same day, the President of the Vietnam fatherland Front (VFF) Central Committee Huynh Dam paid a Christmas visit to the Thanh Hoa diocese, about 140km from Hanoi.

He noted that over the years local Catholics have actively participated in exemplary role model campaigns launched by the VFF to build their homeland.

He expressed his hope that archbishop Nguyen Chi Linh, head of the Thanh Hoa diocese, and his Catholic followers will make a greater contribution to the national unity bloc to build Vietnam into a strong nation and an equitable, democratic and civilized society.

VFF President Dam presented flowers and gifts to archbishop Linh and Catholic representatives.