On the morning of April 5, the first Congress of Buddhist Delegates of Ho Chi Minh City for the 2026–2031 term, held under the theme “Discipline - Renewal - Effectiveness - Efficiency,” took place at Viet Nam Quoc Tu.

The congress gathered around 600 delegates and was held under the supreme witness of the Fourth Supreme Patriarch of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha, Most Venerable Thich Tri Quang.

Speaking at the event, Nguyen Phuoc Loc, Deputy Secretary of the Ho Chi Minh City Party Committee and Chairman of the Vietnam Fatherland Front Committee of Ho Chi Minh City, conveyed congratulations from Politburo member and Secretary of the municipal Party Committee Tran Luu Quang. City leaders acknowledged and highly appreciated the achievements of Buddhism in Ho Chi Minh City.

The Vietnam Buddhist Sangha in Ho Chi Minh City has concretized the Party’s guidelines, State laws, and directives from the city, as well as the direction of General Secretary To Lam, emphasizing that the people are the center, the subject, and the driving force behind all objectives. This orientation has been translated into the guiding principle of ensuring security, safety, and public well-being, for the happiness of the people, while affirming the valuable traditions of Buddhism.

City leaders also commended the congress for being organized in a simple, economical manner without ostentation, with resources directed toward charitable activities.

Nguyen Phuoc Loc expressed confidence that the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha in Ho Chi Minh City will continue to grow stronger, upholding the tradition of “serving the Dharma, loving the nation, and supporting the people.”

Vu Hoai Bac, head of the Government Committee for Religious Affairs under the Ministry of Ethnic and Religious Affairs, presented flowers in congratulations to the congress. City authorities also awarded certificates of merit to the Executive Board, while the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha presented commendations recognizing its contributions.

After two days of working sessions, the congress elected the Executive Board for the 2026–2031 term, comprising 19 members of the Verification Council, four advisors, and 105 members of the Executive Board, including 35 standing members, 60 members, and 10 alternates, under the leadership of Venerable Thich Le Trang.

In his remarks upon accepting the role, Venerable Thich Le Trang noted that the achievements of the previous term were made possible thanks to the attention and support of authorities at all levels.

He described the new term as both an honor and a significant responsibility entrusted by senior dignitaries. He emphasized that monks and nuns would strive to uphold the Dharma, build a strong Sangha, and accompany Ho Chi Minh City in its development toward a civilized, modern, and compassionate society amid ongoing renewal and integration.

He also expressed hope for continued support from central and local authorities to successfully carry out Buddhist activities in the coming years.

On this occasion, the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha in Ho Chi Minh City donated 30,000 trees to help green the city, and contributed to the city’s Fund for the Poor as well as funds supporting the nation’s seas and islands and frontline forces.

Sharing at the congress, Most Venerable Thich Tri Quang reflected on nearly 40 years of formation and development of Buddhism in Ho Chi Minh City across various fields. He recalled the period following national reunification, when senior monks initiated efforts to unify Buddhism nationwide. He particularly mentioned the attention of former General Secretary Nguyen Van Linh in enabling the unification of Vietnamese Buddhism, which has since contributed to the nation.

According to the Venerable, alongside the country’s development, Buddhism in Ho Chi Minh City has steadily grown, accompanying the nation from difficult times to independence and prosperity. Reflecting on this journey, he expressed gratitude to predecessors and hoped that future generations of monks and nuns would continue to inherit and promote these traditions, contributing to both national development and the growth of Buddhism. He also expressed his expectation that Venerable Thich Thien Nhon and the new Executive Board would continue to guide Buddhism in Ho Chi Minh City toward stronger development.

The Executive Board of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha in Ho Chi Minh City was established on June 4, 1982. It has since gone through 10 congresses and four generations of leadership: Most Venerable Thich Tri Tinh, Most Venerable Thich Thien Hao, Most Venerable Thich Tri Quang - the current Supreme Patriarch of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha - and Venerable Thich Le Trang.

As of July 1, 2025, Ho Chi Minh City is home to 11,985 monks and nuns and 2,316 pagodas and religious establishments, the highest number in the country.

Nguyen Hue-Tuan Hung