The first Ho Chi Minh City Buddhist Congress is scheduled to take place at Viet Nam Quoc Tu pagoda, in Hoa Hung ward, from April 4 to 5 (corresponding to the 17th and 18th days of the second lunar month of the Year of the Horse).

Venerable Thich Le Trang, Vice Chairman of the Executive Council of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha and Head of its Ho Chi Minh City chapter, as well as Head of the Organizing Committee, emphasized that this congress carries special significance.

It has been selected by the central Sangha as the first to be held, serving as a “pilot congress” and a model for implementation in 33 provinces and cities nationwide.

According to Venerable Thich Le Trang, the congress takes place as the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha is implementing a restructuring policy aimed at streamlining its organizational apparatus to enhance effectiveness and efficiency.

As such, the congress not only focuses on content but also sets strict requirements for personnel and organizational work, ensuring alignment with broader reform orientations.

A defining event for the new term

Held under the theme “Discipline - Innovation - Effectiveness - Efficiency,” the congress is considered the most important Buddhist event in Ho Chi Minh City for the upcoming term.

It has received approval from the Standing Committee of the Sangha’s Executive Council as well as the Ho Chi Minh City People’s Committee.

The organizing committee expects around 600 delegates, including representatives from the Council of Proof, central Sangha bodies, government agencies, invited guests and 434 official delegates.

The program will feature 18 presentations from specialized committees, including those responsible for Buddhist education, Dharma propagation, lay Buddhist guidance, international relations and the nuns’ community.

Contributions beyond religious activities

Alongside preparations for the congress, Buddhist activities in recent years have been recognized for their contributions to social welfare.

Notably, relief efforts, support for disadvantaged communities and the organization of emergency kitchens during natural disasters have been implemented, with total funding reaching nearly VND4.118 trillion (US$169 million).

In the lead-up to the congress, decoration and communication efforts have been carried out across Buddhist establishments in the city. National flags, Buddhist flags, banners and posters have been displayed, also marking the 45th anniversary of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha (1981–2026).

Information about the first Ho Chi Minh City Buddhist Congress for the 2026–2031 term was announced at a press conference held on March 30 by the city’s chapter of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha.

Tuan Hung