Vietnam, Cambodia boost religious cooperation

During the course of discussion, Deputy Minister Thang highlighted the ongoing visit by the Cambodian delegation as a means of reinforcing ties between the two ministries and religious organisations, especially Buddhist ones, of the two countries.

He went on to acknowledge the effective co-operation activities conducted by the Vietnamese Government’s Committee for Religious Affairs and the Cambodian Ministry of Cults and Religion, noting that they have helped to promote the sharing of religious information and policies. In addition, the exchange of delegations has been useful in sharing experience in State management on religious affairs.

The Vietnamese official suggested that both sides intensify high-level visits and ramp up co-ordination among State management agencies in charge of religious affairs in border localities, encourage, and offer favourable conditions for the two countries' Buddhist Sanghas to promote ties. This will be part of efforts to make greater contributions to friendship and solidarity between the two peoples.

In response, Minister Sokho said the two ministries should push ahead with co-operative programmes in the field of religious affairs, particularly those in border areas, thereby contributing to the building of a borderline of peace, development, and prosperity between both sides. 

As part of the occasion, Vu Hoai Bac, head of the Vietnamese Government’s Committee for Religious Affairs, joined with the Cambodian Minister to sign a co-operation agreement in religious affairs for the 2022 to 2026 period.

While in Ho Chi Minh City, the Cambodian delegation also visited Candaransi, a Khmer pagoda located in District 3.