The Laodelegation, led by LFNC Vice President Som Ock Kingsada, and the Vietnameseside also exchanged views on each country’s current religious issues andreviewed the implementation of their cooperation agreement on religious affairssigned in Hanoi in July 2014.
Implementingthe agreement, the two sides have exchanged delegations; co-heldexperience-sharing conferences among provinces along their joint border; and facilitate the two countries’Buddhism to enhance exchange and cooperation.
The agreementhas helped the two sides increase exchange of information on religious affairsand policies and share experience in state management of religous affairs, thus contributing to strengthening friendshipand comprehensive cooperation between Vietnam and Laos as well as relationsbetween the two countries’ Buddhist Sanghas.
Vietnam ishome to about 26 million followersof various religions,accounting for about 27 percent of the populaition, alongside with around 55,000 dignitaries and over 29,000places of worship, said Vu Chien Thang, Chairman of the Government Committeefor Religious Affairs.
Religions withthe largest numbers of followers nationwide are Buddhism (14 million), Catholics (7 million), andCaodaism (1.1 million), he said, adding that Vietnam always respects people’sfreedom of belief and religion and applies a consistent policy on ensuring such freedom and promoting equality andsolidarity among religions in the country.
LFNC Vice PresidentSom Ock Kingsada, for his part, updated the host on his country’ssocio-economic, politic and cultural situations over recent years. The LFNC hasprioritised improving the role of village elders and leaders in strengtheningpeople’s solidarity and reducing poverty; and mobilising funds fromorganisations and expats for national construction.
He noted Laoshas four major religions, among which Buddhism is the most widely practiced,followed by Protestantism.
The two sidesagreed to continue increasing delegation exchange and bolstering cooperation intraining governmental officials in charge of religious affairs, and to not letany organisation take advantage of religious issues to sabotage thebilateral friendship.–VNA