At a recent conference organized by the Department of Grassroots Information and External Information under the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, Tran Thi Minh Nga, Deputy Head of the Government Committee for Religious Affairs under the Ministry of Ethnic and Religious Affairs, emphasized Vietnam’s consistent dedication to organizing UN activities with the highest sense of responsibility.

The 2025 Vesak Day celebration exemplifies the Vietnamese state's commitment to supporting religious organizations' legitimate activities on the international stage. It also demonstrates the implementation of policies that respect citizens' rights to religious freedom, ensuring favorable conditions for religious practice.

“The Vietnamese government always respects and safeguards the cultural and ethical values of religions,” Nga stressed.

Aiming to leave a lasting positive impression on international friends about Vietnam’s culture, people, and Buddhism, the government, along with ministries, agencies, and local authorities, has actively coordinated and supported the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha in preparing for the 2025 Vesak celebrations.

The government directed the Ministry of Home Affairs (now the Ministry of Ethnic and Religious Affairs) to establish an interagency task force comprising representatives from relevant ministries, agencies, and localities to assist the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha in areas such as public security, healthcare, food safety, and transportation.

"So far, preparations are nearly complete, ensuring the event will be organized according to the plan and timeline outlined in the detailed proposal approved by the government," Nga said.

In addition to the 2,700 official delegates, the interagency task force has arranged accommodations and transportation in neighboring areas around Ho Chi Minh City for tens of thousands of participants. In previous Vesak events, the number of attendees sometimes reached 40,000 to 50,000 people.

Besides the main activities in Ho Chi Minh City, on May 8, a special World Peace Prayer Ceremony and the symbolic planting of 108 Bodhi trees (descended from the sacred Bodhi Tree in Bodh Gaya, India) are scheduled to take place at Ba Den Mountain, with the participation of UN representatives, international Buddhist leaders, and dignitaries.

Deputy Head Tran Thi Minh Nga also emphasized the crucial role of media and communication in promoting and ensuring the success of Vesak 2025, contributing to both national diplomatic efforts and people-to-people diplomacy.

Binh Minh