At the fifth annual council meeting of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha’s (VBS) 9th term (2022–2027) held in Ho Chi Minh City on January 22, Deputy Minister of Ethnic and Religious Affairs Nguyen Hai Trung praised the Sangha’s key achievements in 2025, affirming its role as a respected and responsible religious organization.

The meeting also included a New Year greeting ceremony to mark the upcoming Year of the Horse (Binh Ngo) and brought together Buddhist dignitaries and delegates from across the country.

A landmark year for the Buddhist Sangha

The year 2025 held particular significance as the Sangha prepared for its 10th National Buddhist Congress and celebrated the 45th anniversary of its founding. Among the most prominent highlights was the successful hosting of the 2025 United Nations Day of Vesak.

“This event once again underscored the role, stature, and international prestige of Vietnamese Buddhism. It also served to promote the image of the Vietnamese nation and people, offering a vivid testament to the consistent policies of the Party and State in ensuring freedom of belief and religion,” Deputy Minister Nguyen Hai Trung said.

The VBS also made notable strides in social welfare, contributing nearly USD 120 million to support disaster-affected communities. Trung commended the Sangha’s proactive embrace of digital transformation and efforts to strengthen its governance structure in line with modern management standards.

Responding to the Deputy Minister’s remarks, Most Venerable Thich Thien Nhon, who chaired the meeting, emphasized the importance of such sincere and insightful recognition. He noted that this would serve as a firm foundation for delegates to advance key Buddhist initiatives, especially the 8th revision of the Sangha’s Charter to ensure alignment with the Law on Belief and Religion and contemporary national conditions.

With this momentum, the Sangha enters 2026 with confidence and determination, striving to successfully organize the 10th National Buddhist Congress and affirm its spiritual and civic contributions to the country. The Sangha also reaffirmed its commitment to supporting the nation’s overall development, in line with the vision and mission of the Party and the State.

Priorities for 2026: Responsibility and alignment with national direction

Looking ahead to a politically pivotal year, which will include the 14th National Party Congress and the 16th National Assembly elections, Deputy Minister Nguyen Hai Trung urged the Sangha’s leaders to ensure the successful organization of Buddhist congresses at all levels for the 2026–2031 term. He stressed the need for these to strictly adhere to the Sangha Charter and legal provisions, while maintaining the religion’s tradition of unity with the nation.

Trung also called for continued mobilization of monks, nuns, and Buddhist followers to actively participate in national political events - particularly the National Assembly and People’s Council elections. He encouraged further promotion of Buddhism’s moral values through humanitarian and charitable activities that reflect the religion’s core principles of compassion and human dignity.

Expressing strong belief in the Sangha’s ongoing development under the guiding motto “Dharma – Nation – Socialism,” Trung extended New Year greetings of peace and wellness to all monks, nuns, and lay Buddhists. He also presented Lunar New Year gifts to the Sangha’s Advisory Council and Executive Council.

On the same day, Deputy Minister Trung visited and extended New Year wishes to Most Venerable Thich Tri Quang, Supreme Patriarch of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha, and representatives of the Minh Ly Dao Tam Tong Mieu religious organization.

Quoc Ngoc