He wished the Catholics a peaceful and prosperous Christmas and expressed hope that Catholic dignitaries would further encourage believers to join in the national construction cause towards “a wealthy people, a strong country and an equal, democratic and civilised society.”

The president of the nation’s biggest mass organisation also acknowledged Catholics’ active participation together with other Vietnamese people of all walks of life in developing their homeland.

Archbishop of the Hanoi Archdiocese and General Secretary of the Vietnam Episcopal Council Ngo Quang Kiet expressed thanks to the VFF for its support and assistance to Catholic followers over the recent past. He wished that the VFF and authorised agencies would give further assistance to Catholic followers’ religious activities.

The same day, Head of the Government’s Committee for Religious Affairs Nguyen The Doanh also paid a Christmas visit to the Hanoi Archbishop Office.