NDO – After holding hosts Thailand to a 0-0 draw after 90 official minutes of the final of the 2017 ASEAN Football Federation (AFF) U-15 Championships, Vietnam defeated their strong rivals 4-2 in a dramatic penalty shootout to win the title of the tournament on July 22. Goalie Duy Dung was the hero for U-15 Vietnam as he successfully saved two penalties from the Thai players. Meanwhile, four of his teammates did their job, giving Thai goalkeeper Tewweesri no chance. This is the first time a Vietnamese football team has been crowned champions in a U-15 Southeast Asian championship. Entering the final, both teams had six wins in the tournament. Vietnam had conquered defending champions, and favourites for the championship, Australia, 2-0 in the semi-finals. In the group stage, Coach Vu Hong Viet’s team had five convincing wins against Cambodia 2-1, Brunei 2-1, Philippines 7-0, Malaysia 1-0 and Timor Leste 4-0. Meanwhile, Thailand … [Read more...]

The mass was held at km16, on route 20 of the current Ho Chi Minh highway, in Son Trach commune, Bo Trach district, Quang Binh province in central Vietnam, on May 15. The road, which was officially established on May 19, 1959, served as a strategic route to transport troops and materials to the southern battlefields. Tens of thousands of soldiers, cadres, and young volunteers laid down their lives on the treacherous route under heavy US bombardment while making their way through mountainous and densely forested terrain. Addressing the ceremony, Most Venerable Thich Thanh Tu, Vice President of the Executive Council of the VBS, highlighted the patriotism and determination of Vietnamese fighters and people, who were ready to sacrifice their lives for national independence and reunification. On the occasion, the VBS donated gifts to families of martyrs in Quang Binh province. … [Read more...]

The programme, the first of its kind between the VBS and a State agency, was signed by Most Venerable Thich Thanh Tu, Deputy Chairman of the VBS’s Executive Council, and Deputy Minister and Chairman of the COV Nguyen Thanh Son, in Hanoi on July 16. “This move shows that the Party and the State have trust in the VBS’s activities and respect the freedom of belief of the Vietnamese people both inside and outside of the country,” said Mr Son at the signing ceremony. Mr Son said the programme is expected to make it easier for more than 4 million overseas Vietnamese to practise religion. The COV and the VBS have made an active contribution to religious programmes over recent years, including those held in Vietnam or overseas trips, to spread the word of Dharma to European countries. From the beginning of this year, a number of programmes carried out by the committee, with the VBS’s support, have left a deep impression on people both in Vietnam and overseas. … [Read more...]

Mr Nui said he hopes that the dignitaries will continue to encourage monks, nuns and followers to take an active part in socio-economic development, poverty reduction and charity programmes under the motto of “Dharma-Nation-Socialism,” contributing to the cause of great national unity. The Most Venerable Thich Thanh Tu and Thich Thanh Nhieu, Vice Presidents of the VBS Executive Council thanked the Party, State, VFF and local administrations for creating favourable conditions for Buddhist followers to practise their faith. They assured Mr Nui that the VBS, its monks, nuns and followers will realise the VBS Executive Council’s plan of action to develop the sect and the nation. The Most Venerable Thich Thanh Tu said over the past 10 months, monks, nuns and followers across the country have raised nearly VND400 billion to support flood victims, orphans, people with disabilities and victims of Agent Orange. … [Read more...]

Nguyen Thanh Tu, Chairman of Vinamilk’s Trade Union, said the support shows the company’s responsibility towards the world community. ***Also, on April 4 the Red Cross of Dak Lak province donated VND2 billion to help Japanese victims overcome difficulties. Of this sum, VND1 billion came from Dak Lak Rubber Company and VND100 million from the public security department. ***A gala music, themed “Sunrise”, will be held by the Students’ Cultural House on Thien Quang Lake in Hanoi on April 5. Joining the event organised by the Nhacvietplus website are famous singers such as Khanh Linh, Quang Ha, Dinh Manh Ninh and Rockband Sand. All money collected from selling tickets at VND100,000 per person will be sent to the Japanese embassy. Besides, articles sent by artists to the event will be auctioned at www.mattroimoc.info. … [Read more...]

‘Group A’ includes mathematics, physics, and chemistry, while ‘group V’ comprises mathematics, physics and drawing. Students get ready for university entrance exams From early in the morning, traffic police and young volunteers in Hanoi were standing at crossroads to divide the traffic flow and prevent jams. VOV reporters saw five police officers at each university where the exams will take place. A university entrance candidate Despite the hot weather, the young volunteers enthusiastically assisted the candidates and their relatives, many of whom come from other northern provinces. Nguyen Thanh Tu, a volunteer at the Hanoi National Economics College, said her team had 30 members who were assigned to many points to assist candidates and police officers in easing the flow of traffic. Tu said they also helped candidates’ relatives find boarding houses. Today, candidates for university courses had to bring along their high school diplomas or … [Read more...]

Buddhist Patriarch Tu passes away Present at the function were a delegation from the Party Central Committee (PCC)’s Secretariat led by Ngo Van Du who is also politburo member of the PCC and Head of the PCC’s Commission for Inspection; a delegation from the State President’s Office led by Vice President Nguyen Thi Doan; a delegation from the Vietnam Fatherland Front (VFF) Central Committee led by VFF Vice President and General Secretary Vu Trong Kim. On behalf of the Party Central Committee (PCC)’s Secretariat, Mr Ngo Van Du wrote in the funeral book “The Most Venerable Thich Thanh Tu- a Buddish monk of great morality who devoted his whole life to the Buddha Dharma and the nation." Wreaths were sent to the pagoda by Party leader Nguyen Phu Trong, State President Truong Tan Sang, Chairman of the National Assembly (NA) Nguyen Sinh Hung, Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung, VFF President Huynh Dam, former Party leaders Do Muoi, Le Kha Phieu and Nong Duc Manh; … [Read more...]

The obituary says the Buddhist dignitary was born in 1927 in Kim Dong district, the northern province of Hung Yen, about 40km away from Hanoi. When he was five years old, he left to live in Nho Lam pagoda in Kim Dong district, where he started studying Buddhism. He later took an active part in revolutionary activities under the leadership of the Party and the Viet Minh Front. He made a significant contribution to merging 9 Buddhist sects and organisations into the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha, and cementing unity between religions living under the same roof of the Vietnamese nation. He encouraged Buddhist monks, nuns and followers to practice the religion in line with Party guidelines and State policy, as well as participating in national emulation movements and humanitarian campaigns. The Party and State awarded him noble distinctions, including the Resistance Order (first class), the Independence Order (second class), and the Great National Unity Order. In October 2011, the State … [Read more...]

Religious dignitaries made the call at a workshop on the relationship between the VFF and religious activities in Hanoi on February 8. Reports delivered by Most Venerable Thich Thanh Tu, vice president of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha Executive Council, Priest Nguyen Cong Danh, chairman of Ho Chi Minh City Committee for Solidarity with Catholics, and Professor Pham Nhu Cuong, head of the Vietnam Social and Science Committee, highlighted religions’ role and close co-ordination with VFF in consolidating the great national unity bloc. Other reports identified religious diversity and needs in society, the management of religious activities, as well as VFF’s role and functions in mobilising and gathering religious followers. These reports said the Party and State’s consistent policy of respecting and ensuring people’s rights to religious freedom has lived up to people’s expectations for religious activities. … [Read more...]

Most Venerable Thich Thanh Tu, deputy head of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha Executive Committee: Our responsibility is to contribute to the nation Vietnam marked many big national anniversaries in 2005, including the 60th anniversary of the National Day on September 2, and the 60th anniversary of the National Assembly on January 6, 2006. The legislative body has made progress in renewing its performances and promoting democracy. I joined the Vietnam Fatherland Front (VFF) in 1995 and I think 2005 can be considered a successful year for the VFF. For the first time, VFF organised confidence votes for chairmen of People’s Committees and People’s Councils at the communal and ward levels, and village chiefs and heads of residential areas in 30 cities and provinces across the country. The VFF and Prime Minister also signed a joint decree to issue regulations on inspection for cadres, Party members and State workers at residential areas. Like other religious followers, our … [Read more...]

Most Venerable Thich Thanh Quyet said that ceremony aims to celebrate the 25th founding anniversary of the Vietnam Buddhist Shangha (VBS) and preparatory work for the event has been basically completed. Buddha's birth has been recognised by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) as a world religious festival. Therefore, the VBS will organise a grand ceremony to mark the event in Soc Son district, where the Vietnam Buddhist Institute is located. A large stage on a huge square in Soc Son has been arranged and since the eighth day of the fourth lunar month, activities to mark Buddha’s birthday have taken place, he added. Eight months ago, the Hai Phong municipal Buddhist Shangha had a huge Bodhi tree, about 30 tonnes, planted at the main stage, and donated a 3.5-tonne bronze Buddha statue, a 600-kg censer and a pair of 300-kg candle holders to mark the event, Most Venerable Quyet said. All small pagodas nationwide decorated stages to celebrate … [Read more...]

Ngo Yen Thi, Chairman of the committee, warmly congratulated Vietnamese Buddhist dignitaries, monks, nuns and followers at home and abroad. He stressed that the Party and the State always respect and ensure people's rights to freedom of religion and belief, and continuously improve policies and laws on religion in order to better meet the legitimate needs of religious believers, helping them harmonise their religious practices with national development activities. He also expressed hope that the VBS would continually bring into play the Buddhist traditions and promote unity for good religious practices, contributing to national construction. Vice President of the VBS Executive Council, Most Venerable Thich Thanh Tu, expressed his thanks to the Government Committee for Religious Affairs, saying that Vietnamese Buddhist dignitaries, monks, nuns and followers always unite under the motto "Religion-Nation-Socialism" and do good work for both religious and secular lives in order to … [Read more...]

Speaking at the ceremony, Deputy Prime Minister Vu Khoan extended the Party and State’s best wishes to Buddhist dignitaries, monks, nuns and followers on this occasion and praised their significant contributions to national construction and defence. He said he hopes that Buddhist followers will persistently embark on the principle “Buddhism, Nation and Socialism”, and heighten Buddhism’s harmonious spirit to help strengthen the great national unity bloc for the goal of a rich people, a strong country and an equitable, democratic and civilised society.On the occasion, President of the Vietnam Fatherland Front (VFF) Central Committee Pham The Duyet sent a congratulatory letter to the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha (VBS) and Buddhist followers from both inside and outside the country. Mr Duyet said: “In a jubilant atmosphere, people welcoming many important national events, on behalf of the VFF Central Committee, I wish all people, Buddhist clerics and followers … [Read more...]

Speaking at the closing ceremony of the 2002-2006 course in Hanoi on July 10, Most Venerable Thich Thanh Tu, director of the institute, said during the past 25 years, the institute has developed constantly to meet the increasing demand for training qualified Buddhist personnel for the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha Congregation (VBSC) chapters across the country. The institute has so far trained nearly 600 students and is enrolling more than 280 students for the new course. The Most Venerable, who is also Vice Chairman of the VBSC Executive Council, thanked the Party and State for their valuable assistance to the institute’s training programmes, as well as the effective co-operation of VBSC chapters and organisations during the past 25 years. Ngo Yen Thi, head of the Government Committee for Religious Affairs, spoke highly of the strong development of the Buddhist education and training in Vietnam. Thanks to these training programmes, Mr Thi said, Buddhist monks and nuns’ … [Read more...]

At a reception given to a VBS delegation led by the Most Venerable Thich Thanh Tu, Vice Chairman of the VBS's Executive Council, in Hanoi on September 7, Mr Triet asked the VBS to work harder to help Buddhist monks and followers have a better understanding of the Party and State guidelines and policies.The State leader spoke highly of the VBS's practical and effective activities in many areas, thus contributing to implementing a great national solidarity policy and Renewal process. He expressed his wish that the VBS will develop along with the nation, and that it will join the Party and State in building a prosperous Vietnam. … [Read more...]

Addressing the opening ceremony, Most Venerable Thich Thanh Tu, Vice Chairman of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha’s Executive Council and Director of the Academy in Hanoi, said that the Academy has developed to meet the Sangha's training demand over the last 25 years, enrolling 600 nuns and monks. He expressed gratitude to the Party, State and relevant agencies for their assistance to the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha and the Academy in the past period.Deputy Head of the Governmental Committee for Religious Affairs Nguyen The Doanh affirmed that the State has always respected and ensured the freedom of religion and belief. He expressed his hope that the Academy will continue to develop. The Vietnam Buddhist Sangha boasts of three academies located in Hanoi, Hue and Ho Chi Minh City, having run 6 college-level and 30 high-schools courses with an average enrolment of 100-200 students each.Construction of a new campus for the Hanoi-based Academy started in early 2005 at an estimated cost of … [Read more...]

He made the remarks while visiting Buddhist dignitaries at Quan Su Pagoda - headquarters of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha (VBS), in Hanoi on November 5 on the occasion of the VBS's 25th founding anniversary (November 7). Vice President Huynh Dam sent the best wishes to Buddhist dignitaries and followers inside and outside the country expressed hope that the VBS, upholding the motto "Religion-Nation-Socialism", will continue to develop a common house for Vietnamese Buddhists and contribute more to national construction and development. Most Venerable Thich Thanh Tu, Vice Chairman of the VBS's Executive Council, affirmed that since its establishment the VBS has been working closely with the nation in building and defending the fatherland. Over the past 25 years, the VBS has enjoyed much attention and assistance from the Party, the State and the VFF. With such assistance, the VBS has upgraded all monasteries and established four Buddhism Institutes in Hanoi, the central province of Thua … [Read more...]

Sri Lankan Prime Minister Ratnasiri Wickramanayaka and his entourage visited the Vietnam Buddhism Institute in Hanoi’s outlying district of Soc Son on November 27, as part of their official visit to Vietnam. At the reception for the Sri Lankan guest, Most Venerable Thich Thanh Tu, Vice Chairman of the Vietnam Buddhist Shangha (VBS)’s Executive Council said expressed his hope that the relations between the two countries’ parties and religious people will develop finely and that theSri Lankan people will obtain new achievements in socio-economic development. The Sri Lankan PM highly praised the VBS’s education and training of Buddhist monks and nuns and wished for the establishment of Buddhist relations between the two countries to contribute to the effective enforcement of Buddhist dharma. Earlier the same day, MrWickramanayaka held talks with PM Nguyen Tan Dung and met State President Nguyen Minh Triet. … [Read more...]

The Hanoi Buddhist Sangha’s Congress (sixth tenure) was held in Hanoi on September 21 with the participation of 400 Buddhist monks and nuns from pagodas in the capital city. The event was attended by Most Venerable Thich Thanh Tu, Vice President of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha’s Dharma Executive Council. On the occasion, the Hanoi Buddhist Sangha was awarded the Independence Order, third class, by the State in recognition of its remarkable contributions in various fields. The Sangha has successfully implemented the Ordinance on Belief and Religion, created favourable conditions for monks and nuns to study in local and foreign universities, abolished superstitions, actively responded to preservation of national cultural values and promoted exchanges with Buddhist organizations of other countries. It is determined to encourage monks and nuns to participate in patriotic emulation movements, join charitable activities, strengthen the bloc of national great unity and make … [Read more...]

Thich Thanh Tu, who is Vice President of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha’s Executive Council, made the affirmation in his speech delivered at the current session of the National Assembly in Hanoi on October 29. He said that Vietnam Buddhist Sangha chapters have carried out many activities across the country for the benefit of religious people. Thousands of billions of Vietnam Dong has been raised to support victims of natural disasters, build compassionate houses for poor people and provide free healthcare services for tens of thousands of people, especially the lonely and disabled. A similar amount has also been raised to build and refurbish places of worship. External relations have been also expanded to many religious organisations in the world, and Vietnam’s active participation in religious conferences and forums has been acknowledged by the international community. Notably, the country has been credited with a United Nations mandate to host the UN Buddhist Grand … [Read more...]