VietNamNet Bridge – Most Venerable Thich Thanh Tu, permanent vice president of the Viet Nam Buddhist Sangha (VBS)'s Executive Council, has received the Ho Chi Minh Order bestowed by the State.

Vice President Nguyen Thi Doan presented the noble reward to the Most Venerable, in recognition of his great contributions to the religion, the nation and the great cause of national unity, at a ceremony in Ha Noi yesterday, Oct 23.

Thich Thanh Tu (real name Tran Van Long) was born in 1927 to a poor farming family in Song Mai Commune, Kim Dong District, northern Hung Yen Province. He joined the revolutionary movement from an early stage.

While congratulating the Most Venerable, Vice President and Secretary General of the Viet Nam Fatherland Front Vu Trong Kim said that Tu and other VBS leaders had actively mobilised Buddhist followers nationwide to practise their religious belief in accordance with Party policies and State law. They have also enthusiastically participated in patriotic emulation movements and social activities, helping build solidarity between religions in Viet Nam and consolidate the great national unity.

Showing his gratitude to the Party and State, Tu said that the noble reward first belonged to all Buddhist monks, nuns and followers nationwide.

The Most Venerable also expressed his wish that Buddhist monks, nuns and followers would make more contributions to the country's development effort.

VietNamNet/Viet Nam News