Deputy Secretary Nguyen Phuoc Loc: Religion makes positive contributions to social life, economy, and national defense

That was the comment of Deputy Secretary of the City Party Committee Nguyen Phuoc Loc at the Conference to sign a program of coordination of activities between the Ho Chi Minh City Command and the Executive Committee of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha of Ho Chi Minh City for the period 2025 - 2030, on the morning of September 30.

Representatives of the Ho Chi Minh City Command and the Executive Committee of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha in Ho Chi Minh City signed the agreement - Photo: KY PHONG

After the merger, Ho Chi Minh City is a locality with a large concentration of dignitaries, officials and followers of 13 religions.

Of the total population of over 14 million people in Ho Chi Minh City, more than 50% are followers of other religions. In Ho Chi Minh City, the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha is a large religious organization with more than 1.6 million followers, more than 8,000 dignitaries, officials and 1,844 places of worship.

More than 50% of Ho Chi Minh City's population are religious followers.

In recent years, in the movement of joining hands to build rural areas, the Ho Chi Minh City armed forces have proactively coordinated with the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha of Ho Chi Minh City to support the construction of 82 military-civilian houses and repair 53 temporary and dilapidated houses for the armed forces and ethnic and religious people.

Implement programs to support tuition fees, school supplies, bicycles for poor students, plant trees, clean up coastal trash, organize vegetarian culinary competitions to decorate fruit trays...

At the conference, Colonel Tran Van Trung - Political Commissar of the Ho Chi Minh City Command - informed that in the content of the program of coordination of activities for the period 2025 - 2030, there will be regular meetings, exchanges, visits and encouragement between the Ho Chi Minh City armed forces and dignitaries, officials, monks and Buddhists on the occasion of important holidays.

Organize models such as "Breakfast with fishermen", "House of military-civilian affection", "House of great solidarity"... Building Ho Chi Minh City into a civilized, modern, and affectionate city.

Ho Chi Minh City Command presented a cultural and sports project worth 500 million VND - Photo: KY PHONG

Foundation for strengthening national solidarity

Speaking at the conference, Mr. Nguyen Phuoc Loc - Deputy Secretary of the Ho Chi Minh City Party Committee and Chairman of the Ho Chi Minh City Vietnam Fatherland Front Committee - stated that Ho Chi Minh City is a major economic, cultural, social and religious center of the country.

Religions here operate harmoniously, contributing positively to social life, economy, national defense and security. In particular, during the period of 2021 - 2025, amid difficulties caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, religions have joined hands with the government to support the people, demonstrating a spirit of compassion and high responsibility to the community.

The program of signing the cooperation agreement between the Ho Chi Minh City Command and the Executive Committee of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha of Ho Chi Minh City has profound meaning, long-term orientation, creativity and practicality. At the same time, it is also a step for the Ho Chi Minh City Command to continue signing the cooperation agreement with other religions in the city.

"With the attention and direction of leaders at all levels, the cooperation program signed today will be the foundation to promote many positive results, contributing to strengthening the great national unity bloc, promoting the effectiveness of mass mobilization work, the role of religion in building and protecting the Fatherland and developing the city in a stable and sustainable manner," said the Deputy Secretary.

KY PHONG - HUYNH ANH

Source: https://tuoitre.vn/pho-bi-thu-nguyen-phuoc-loc-ton-giao-dong-gop-tich-cuc-vao-doi-song-xa-hoi-kinh-te-quoc-phong-2025093010223986.htm