HCM City (VNA) – State President Luong Cuong attended the opening ceremon𒁏y of the UN Day of Vesak Celebrations 2025 in Ho Chi Minh City on May 6, during which he affirmed that Vietnam always respects and protects everyone’s right to freedom of belief and religion, considering this an imporant foundation forꦯ strengthening great national unity.

"The Party and State of Vietnam highly value and create favourable conditions for religions, including Buddhism, to operate within the framework of the law," he stressed. President Cuong extended a warm welcome to heads of state, government leaders, and representatives from international organisations, as well as distinguished Buddhist dignitaries from around the world. He also greeted Vietnamese Buddhist monks, nuns, and followers both at home and abroad, noting that their presence was a vivid representation of solidarity, compassion, and harmony.

Vesak, a major international religious event, holds great significance for Buddhists and those interested in Buddhism worldwide, including the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha (VBS) and the country and people of Vietnam, he stated. He praised the theme of Vesak 2025, "Unity and Inclusivity for Human Dignity: Buddhist Insights for World Peace and Sustainable Development," noting that it carries an important message at a time when the world faces challenges such as conflict, inequality, climate change, and a crisis of social ethics. He highlighted that the theme reflects the UN’s commitment to social action for a world of peace, friendship, cooperation, and development. Additionally, it promotes the values of tolerance, harmony, compassion, and loving-kindness passed down by the Buddha, inspiring collective efforts to build a peaceful and happy world. Vietnam is a country with a long-standing Buddhist tradition deeply intertwined with its history of national building and defence, he said, stressing that for over 2,000 years, Buddhism has become an inseparable part of Vietnamese cultural and spiritual life. According to the President, throughout the ups and downs of history, Vietnamese Buddhism has always upheld the spirit of "protecting the nation and bringing peace to the people," with the Dharma walking alongside the nation. Values such as patriotism, tolerance, and the pursuit of goodness in Buddhism have deeply influenced the Vietnamese soul and contributed to shaping the nation's cultural identity. He praised the efforts made by the VBS in carrying forward its tradition and actively contributing to the cause of national building and defence, saying that tens of thousands of monks, nuns, and Buddhists not only diligently practice and spread the Dharma but also take the lead in activities benefiting the nation and people such as charity work, social welfare, poverty reduction, disaster relief, environmental protection, and public health care. He stressed that these contributions have played an important role in advancing Vietnam's realisation of millennium development goals (MDGs) and sustainable development goals (SDGs), fostering harmony between religion and society, and promoting collective well-being. The VBS’s hosting of Vesak 2025 demonstrates that Vietnamese Buddhism is not only deeply connected with the nation but is also actively contributing to international Buddhist activities, for a shared goal of peace, friendship, cooperation, and development, Cuong said. He expressed his hope that Vesak 2025 will be a great success, and delegates will share valuable experiences and contribute actively to the topics of the event, while gaining practical insights into the country and people of Vietnam. He also suggested that compassion should be incorporated into policies, with wisdom guiding development directions, and emphasised the spirit of selflessness and altruism—doing things not for one's own benefit but always considering the well-being of the community. The opening ceremony saw the presence of President of Sri Lanka Anura Kumara Dissanayaka, Cambodian Deputy Prime Minister Neth Savoeun, Most Venerable Phra Brahmapundit, President of the International Council for the Day of Vesak (ICDV), ambassadors and chargés d'affaires of several countries, and over 2,700 delegates, including about 1,250 foreigners, from 85 countries and territories. Delegates listened to Vesak 2025’s message presented by Most Venerable Thich Tri Quang, the Supreme Patriarch of the Patronage Council of the VBS, which called on every Buddhist to always diligently practice and spread love to all living beings, light up the world with the light of compassion and wisdom, and wished that all Buddhists around the world unite and actively work to create a truly peaceful and happy world. In his opening remarks, Most Venerable Thich Thien Nhon, Vice Supreme Patriarch, President of the Executive Council of the VBS, and Chairman of the UN Vesak 2025 Organising Committee, the theme of this year’s event is a timely and urgent message as it carries humanitarian significance and reflects the current era which the Buddhist community hopes to convey to the world. He stressed that promoting unity and collaborative efforts for global harmony is the path for the Buddhist community and all religions to join hands in overcoming differences, and build a united world where love, understanding, and sharing become the common language of humanity. Most Venerable Phra Brahmapundit stated that since the UN General Assembly recognised Vesak Day in 1999, this sacred event has united the global Buddhist community in peace and contemplation. He added that this year’s event calls for addressing global challenges with compassion, mindfulness, and shared determination./.