Cao Dai sect holds congress in Da Nang

The Cao Daist Missionary Church, a sect of Caodaism, on July 5 held its fourth Congress for the 2011-2016 period at the Trung Hung Buu Toa Oratory, in the central city of Da Nang.
The congress reviewed the church’s operation over the past five years and discussed programmes for the next five years, focusing on the church’s ceremonial activities, construction of new parishes and places of worship and encouraging followers to take part in social and charitable activities and preserve family and religious traditions.

It also reported on new personnel to the Church’s committees and supplements to the religion’s regulations.

The congress was held to maintain the church’s operations and exchanges with other Caodaism sects and religious groups.

The event was attended by Nguyen Thanh Xuan, Deputy Head of the Government’s Committee for Religious Affairs, and Le Quang Toan, Head of the Party Central Committee’s Commission for Mass Mobilisation, among others.

The Cao Daist Missionary Church, with over 46,000 followers, has 66 parishes and places of worship in 18 provinces and cities nationwide.

Founded in the early 1920s in Vietnam, Caodaism has been deeply influenced by ancient oriental culture and open to Western civilisation.

Nelson Mandela Day to be observed in Vietnam

A special campaign was launched in Hanoi on July 5 to celebrate Nelson Mandela International Day on the occasion of his 93 rd birthday (July 18). 

The event, which takes the theme of “Take action. Inspire change. Make every day a Mandela Day”, was co-organised by the United Nations, the South African Embassy in Vietnam and the Ministry of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs. 

In November 2009, the UN declared July 18th as Nelson Mandela International Day to recognise the contributions of the former South African President, who spent 67 years of his life, promoting a culture of peace and freedom to his community, his country and the world, said South African Ambassador Ratabatsi Super Moloi. 

The diplomat called on individuals and organisations to spend 67 minutes on Mandela Day to give a hand to disadvantaged people in the community, noting that any person could help to change the world. 

Deputy Minister of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs Doan Mau Diep underlined the significance of the day, which, he said, encourages every community, individual and organisation to act together for a better world. 

At the launch ceremony, participants discussed themes and activities to make the day more meaningful. 

On July 18, the South African Embassy, in partnership with individuals and organisations, will visit and present gifts to orphans, disabled children, Agent Orange victims and fallen soldiers’ children in the northern province of Bac Giang. 

The embassy will also organise gala dinner and dancing in September 2011 to support a charitable fund.

Strengthening ties between Vietnamese and Cambodian armies

A Cambodian delegation led by General Sao Sokha, Deputy Commander-in-Chief of the Royal Cambodian Armed Forces and Commander of the Cambodian National Military Police is visiting Vietnam from July 4-7.

On July 5 General Sao Sokha met with Lieutenant-General Do Ba Ty, Deputy-Minister of National Defense and the Chief of the General Staff of the Vietnam People’s Army, and briefed him on the results of the talks with Lieutenant-General Nguyen Trung Thu, deputy chief of the General Staff of the Vietnam People’s Army. The two sides discussed regional issues and exchanged experiences in search and rescue.

During their stay in Vietnam, the Cambodian delegation visited Mieu Mon Rifle Range and some Vietnam People’s Army units.

VNN/VOV/VNA