At the seminar. (Photo: VNA)Vientiane (VNA) – The Embassy of Vietnam in Laos helda seminar in Vientiane on May 30 to discuss ways to link religious and culturalactivities with mass mobilisation to build a strong and united Vietnamese communityin Laos.
The seminar saw the presence of Vietnamese Ambassador toLaos Nguyen Ba Hung, Vice Chairman of the State Committee for OverseasVietnamese Affairs Luong Thanh Nghi, head of Phat Tich Laos Pagoda VenerableThich Minh Quang and representatives from the association of Vietnamesebusinesses and investors in Laos.
At the event, participants heard presentations on therole of Vietnamese Buddhist establishments in Vientiane and Laos at large inmobilising Vietnamese people to take part in social and charity activities;promotion of cultural, social and religious activities to encourage theVietnamese community in Laos to look towards their homeland; promotion ofcommunity movements, including social and charity activities, to foster thesense of cohesion between the community, Buddhism and the nation.
They also voiced a number of ideas to improve the effectiveness of culturaland religious activities with a view to building a strong and united Vietnamesecommunity in Laos who turn their heart towards their homeland and contribute tothe socio-economic development in Laos.
It was estimated that approximately 100,000 Vietnamese people areresiding, studying and working in Laos, most of them follow Buddhism. Many seeVietnamese pagodas in Laos as common houses not only for religious practicesbut also for meeting each other.
Vietnamese Buddhism was introduced in Laos in the early 20th century. Laos is now home to 13 Vietnamese Buddhist pagodas, including threepagodas and one monastery in Vientiane.-VNA
VNA
