VBS marks Buddha’s birthday in scaled-down ceremony
The Vietnam Buddhist Shangha (VBS) celebrated Buddha’s 2565th birthday in a scaled-down ceremony in Hanoi on May 26 amid the resurgence in COVID-19 cases in the northern region.
The Vietnam Buddhist Shangha (VBS) celebrates Buddha’s 2565th birthday in a scaled-down ceremony in Hanoi on May 26. (Photo: VNA)
Hanoi (VNA) - The Vietnam Buddhist Shangha (VBS) celebratedBuddha’s 2565th birthday in a scaled-down ceremony in Hanoi on May26 amid the resurgence in COVID-19 cases in the northern region.
The ceremony was broadcast on An Vien Television and livestreamed onsocial media to allow Buddhists to join the celebrations. Prime Minister PhamMinh Chinh and the Vietnam Fatherland Front (VFF)’s Central Committee sentflowers to congratulate the VBS on the occasion.
In a message sent to the ceremony, VBS Supreme Patriarch Most VenerableThich Pho Tue spoke of how the world has become an uncertain place, with severepandemic, environmental, climate change, and conflict crises. “The COVID-19 pandemichas made the entire world realise that we must stick together and act togetherfor the common good,” he said.
“Countries need to sit down and seek solutions to climate change andensure equitable access to vaccines against the coronavirus, withoutdiscrimination.”
He called on every person to remain supportive and show solidarity withthe Government and society to overcome the pandemic, return to normal life, anddevelop the country.
He also congratulated the Party, State, and the VFF on leading thenation to make various achievements in containing the spread of the virus and innational construction and defence.
President of the VFF Central Committee Do Van Chien sent acongratulatory letter to the ceremony, in which he hailed the VBS and its chaptersfor joining people around the country to fight COVID-19 and provide relief for victimsof natural disasters while actively engaging in social welfare projects andpatriotic emulation movements.
He expects the VBS will keep up its good work and together with peoplenationwide defeat the pandemic./.
The Vietnam Buddhist Sangha (VBS) has handed over medical supplies worth 1.8 billion VND (78,320 USD) to help the India government and people battle COVID-19.
Politburo member and Standing Vice Chairman of the National Assembly (NA) Tran Thanh Man on May 19 visited Venerable Thich Thanh Nhieu, Vice Standing Chairman of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha (VBS), and other Buddhist dignitaries on the occasion of Buddha’s 2565th birthday and the 40th founding anniversary of the VBS.
Vice President Vo Thi Anh Xuan visited Thuong Chieu monastery in Long Thanh district, the southern province of Dong Nai on May 21 to extend congratulations to Buddhist dignitaries and followers on the occasion of the Buddha’s 2565th birthday (Vesak day).
Ambassador Dang Dinh Quy, Permanent Representative of Vietnam to the United Nations, on May 25 emphasised the need to promote core values of Buddhism, and enhance friendship and cooperation between nations.
Vietnam has over 4.8 million people exposed to AO/dioxin, including hundreds of thousands in the second, third, and even fourth generations. Many live with severe disabilities, facing high medical costs and loss of earning capacity.
Deputy Foreign Minister Dang Hoang Giang reaffirmed that amnesty is a humanitarian policy of the Party and State, reflecting the Vietnamese tradition of compassion and winning attention and high praise both domestically and internationally.
Vietnam officially grants limited-term visa-free entry to high-profile foreigners whose presence is deemed beneficial to the country’s socio-economic development.
With support from the Vietnamese Association in Ufa, Vietnamese language classes for children have been offered for many years. Currently, 60 children of various ages are attending two classes taught by Duc Anh, free of charge.
Vietnam ranked among the top four countries and territories at the 2025 International Olympiad on Artificial Intelligence (IOAI), reaffirming its strong position in international academic competitions.
All 20 crew members aboard the Vietnamese oil tanker GT Unity were successfully rescued from a fire in the vessel’s engine room, thanks to the swift response of the Liberian-flagged ship Androusa and Vietnamese maritime rescue teams.
Describing Agent Orange as one of the most severe and enduring legacies of the war in Vietnam, Vietnam's former Honorary Consul to Belgium Joseph-Michel de Grand Ry warned that its impact – still affecting generations more than five decades later – could last another two to three decades.
Running from August 4 to September 2, under the hashtag #TuHaoVietNam, the campaign invites participants in two categories: “I Love My Country” video clips and “I Love My Country” check-in photos.
Decree No. 219/2025/ND-CP, which took effect on the issuance date, introduces amendments that integrate the procedure for reporting and explaining the demand for foreign workers into the process of submitting applications for work permits.
With a tight 13-month deadline, the move is under a strategic and urgent policy to bridge educational gaps, train the local workforce, and shore up territorial sovereignty in some of the country’s most remote areas.
The parade and personnel send-off ceremony will officially take place on August 10 at the area surrounding the Statue of King Ly Thai To and Dinh Tien Hoang street of Hoan Kiem ward, with the participation of nearly 3,000 officers, soldiers, and local residents.
According to national technical regulations, AIS installation is mandatory for boats carrying more than 50 passengers. However, operators of smaller vessels (under 50 seats) in Ha Long Bay have voluntarily committed to completing installation by the deadline to enhance operational safety.
The activities include a Vietnamese language teaching training course for overseas Vietnamese teachers from August 13 to 28 in Hanoi, Ninh Binh, and Thai Nguyen.
Specifically, the ships will carry out patrols from 7am to 6pm daily along the main tourist routes in Ha Long Bay, with one ship permanently stationed at Ti Top island. From 6pm to 7am the following day, the mobile vessels return to Tuan Chau island to maintain a 24/7 on-call duty shift, ensuring constant readiness.
The Ministry of Construction (MoC) plans to open to traffic 208km of expressways of six key projects by August 19, bringing the country’s total expressway network to 2,476km.
As of July 1, a two-tier local government model started in 34 provinces and cities, streamlining administration but creating a surplus of public properties. If not promptly addressed, these assets could become a financial burden.
Whether they grow up to become journalists, diplomats, or professionals in other fields, these children can one day become bridges of friendship and cooperation, telling new and inspiring stories of Vietnam – China relations, said Ambassador Pham Thanh Binh.
A 21-year-old Indian tourist was successfully resuscitated and treated by doctors at Hoan My Da Nang Hospital after a near-drowning incident left him in critical condition. After three days of intensive care, the man was discharged from the hospital and has since returned to India.
In an document issued on August 5, the PM emphasised the need to stablise living conditions for people hit by floods, landslides, and flash floods in late July and early August in northern and north-central provinces, especially Dien Bien, Son La, and Nghe An which suffered some of the worst damage.
Although millions of Vietnamese were affected by AO, only over 626,000 individuals, including war veterans and their children suffering from dioxin-related conditions, are currently receiving state benefits.
The Vietnam Buddhist Shangha (VBS) celebrates Buddha’s 2565th birthday in a scaled-down ceremony in Hanoi on May 26. (Photo: VNA)
