Among the 500 deputies elected to Vietnam’s 16th National Assembly are religious dignitaries, clergy and followers representing faiths such as Buddhism, Catholicism and Brahmanism, many of whom hold doctoral and master’s degrees.

These include Venerable Thich Bao Nghiem, who holds a doctorate in Philosophy; Venerable Thich Duc Thien, a Doctor of Buddhist Studies; and Venerable Thich Thanh Quyet, also a Doctor of Philosophy. Father Le Nguyen Thao holds a university degree in English and a master’s degree in Moral Theology.

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Venerable Thich Bao Nghiem. Photo: QH.

Several religious representatives have been re-elected across multiple National Assembly terms. Venerable Thich Bao Nghiem previously served in the 13th, 14th and 15th assemblies. Father Nguyen Van Rien served in the 14th and 15th terms, while Venerable Ly Minh Duc also served in the 14th and 15th. Venerable Thich Duc Thien was a deputy in the 15th term, and Venerable Thich Thanh Quyet served in the 13th, 14th and 15th terms.

In addition to religious dignitaries, there are deputies who are practicing Catholics, including Pham Huynh Thanh Van of An Giang University and Cil Bri, Deputy Director of the Department of Ethnic and Religious Affairs of Lam Dong province.

Deputy Thach Phuoc Binh, Vice Head of the Vinh Long National Assembly delegation, is a Buddhist, while Dang Thi My Huong, Vice Head of the Khanh Hoa delegation, follows Brahmanism.

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Priest Le Nguyen Thao - Chief of Office of the Phan Thiet Bishop’s Residence, Lam Dong Province. Photo: Lam Dong Newspaper.

The religious dignitaries elected to the 16th National Assembly include:

Venerable Thich Bao Nghiem (Dang Minh Chau), Vice President of the Executive Council of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha, Head of the Hanoi chapter of the Sangha, member of the Central Committee of the Vietnam Fatherland Front, member of the Advisory Council on Religious Affairs, and Vice President of the Vietnam Peace Committee.

Father Nguyen Van Rien, Vice President and Secretary General of the Vietnam Catholic Solidarity Committee, Chairman of the Ho Chi Minh City Catholic Solidarity Committee, parish priest of Saint Joseph Parish in the Phu Cuong Diocese, and non-specialized Vice President of the Vietnam Fatherland Front Committee in Ho Chi Minh City.

Venerable Ly Minh Duc (Ly Duc), Standing Member of the Executive Council of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha, Deputy Head of the Inspection Board, Standing Member of the Monastic Affairs Board, Standing Deputy Head of the Can Tho chapter of the Sangha, and abbot of Som Rong Pagoda.

Venerable Thich Duc Thien (Nguyen Tien Thien), member of the Central Committee of the Vietnam Fatherland Front, Vice President and Secretary General of the Executive Council of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha, Head of the International Buddhist Affairs Committee, Chairman of the Vietnam Chapter of the Asian Buddhist Conference for Peace, and Head of the Dien Bien provincial Sangha.

Father Le Nguyen Thao, priest and Chief of Office of the Phan Thiet Diocese in Lam Dong province.

Venerable Thich Thanh Quyet (Luong Cong Quyet), Vice President of the Executive Council of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha, Head of the Central Buddhist Education Board, Rector of the Vietnam Buddhist Academy in Hanoi, and Head of the Quang Ninh provincial Sangha.

Hoai Thanh