VOV.VN - A Vietnamese diplomat has highlighted Buddhism’s importance in the country’s national development at the commemoration of International Day of Vesak 2024 at the UN headquarters in New York on May 20, expressing Vietnam’s wish to play host to another UN Day of Vesak in future.

State President Vo Van Thuong offered greetings to Buddhist dignitaries and followers on the birth anniversary of Lord Buddha, while visiting Hue Nghiem and Minh Dao pagodas in Ho Chi Minh City on May 26.

The UN Day of Vesak was celebrated at Tran Quoc Pagoda in Hanoi on May 25, or the seventh day of the fourth lunar month, with the joint effort of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha (VBS), the Hanoi chapter of the Vietnam-India Friendship Association, and the Indian Embassy.

Religions have never had such favourable conditions for their activities in Vietnam like now, Deputy Minister of Home Affairs Vu Chien Thang stressed in a recent writing.

The Vietnam Buddhist Sangha (VBS) has handed over medical supplies worth VND1.8 billion (US$78,320) to help the India government and people battle COVID-19.

VOV.VN - The Vietnam Buddhist Shangha (VBS) have been pioneers in patriotic movements and forging religious solidarity, said President Nguyen Xuan Phuc during a reception held on May 13 in Hanoi for a delegation from the VBS led by Most Venerable Thich Thien Nhon.