President of the Viet Nam Fatherland Front Huynh Dam congratulated local Buddhists on Buddha's 2011th birth anniversary and the 30th founding anniversary of the Viet Nam Buddhist Sangha.


In a letter to the Sangha, Dam said its coming into being was evidence of the unity and consolidation of all Buddhist organisations and sects in Viet Nam.


He said the Sangha had managed to uphold the tradition of integration and join with the nation in all patriotic movements, thus contributing to national unity as well as national construction and defence.


"Since its foundation, the Sangha had always encouraged monks and nuns and followers to follow the Party and State policies while strengthening the religious institution in line with the motto ‘Be good citizens, good religious followers'," Dam said.


He emphasised the motto "Dharma, Nation and Socialism" and the Vietnamese Buddhist tradition of defending the country and protecting the people.


He called on the Sangha to fulfil its role as a Front member in the new stage of development in order to contribute to the national unity for prosperous people, a strong nation and a society of democracy, justice and civilisation.


Dam said the immediate task for Buddhists was to join the nation in successfully holding the upcoming elections of the National Assembly and the People's Council at all levels. 


* Australian Governor-General tours VN


Australian Governor-General Quentin Bryce and her entourage paid working visits to Thua Thien-Hue Province and Da Nang city in the central region yesterday, May 11.


At a reception for the delegation, Chairman of the Thua Thien-Hue provincial People's Committee Nguyen Van Cao expressed his wish to receive continued support and co-operation from Australia in such fields as culture, education, health and tourism.


He also pledged to create favourable conditions for Australian businesses to invest in the province.


Cao said he highly valued Australia's support for the province in many projects, especially a US$540,000 project to improve public eye-care capacity, funded by the Fred Hollows Foundation.


Bryce affirmed that Australia was ready to assist Thua Thien-Hue province in traditional areas.


On the same day, Bryce met with the Da Nang city People's Committee Chairman and visited Be Van Dan Primary School in the city, where the Alliance for Safe Children and the Royal Life Saving Society Australia are sponsoring a swimming training programme.


VietNamNet/Viet Nam News