Delegates at the groundbreaking ceremony (Photo: VNA)Vientiane (VNA) – Work started on the upgrade of Phat Tich Pagoda, a Vietnamese Buddhist pagoda in the Lao capital of Vientiane, onDecember 29.
The project, which has an estimated cost of 1.1 million USD, aims to improve the facilities at the pagoda, meeting religious needs of local Vietnameseand Lao Buddhist communities.
Addressing the groundbreakingceremony, Vietnamese Ambassador to Laos Nguyen Ba Hung said that for manyyears, Phat Tich Pagoda has been not only a place of religious activities of Buddhist monks and nuns,but also one of the venues for cultural, educational and religious activitiesof the Vietnamese community in Laos, promoting their unity.
The Ambassador emphasised that the embellishmentof the pagoda will encourage monks, nuns, Buddhist followers, and members ofthe Vietnamese community in Laos to continue to promote the compassion andcharity spirit of Buddhism, making a substantive contribution to thespecial friendship between the Parties and people of Vietnam and Laos.
Vice President of the Lao Frontfor National Development Chanpheng Southivong spoke highly of the Vietnamesecommunity in Laos in general and Phat Tich Pagoda in particular for their active participation in various movements launched by the Party, the State and the Lao Front for National Construction such as assisting floodvictims in Attapeu province and supporting poverty reduction for people in financialdifficulties./.
