Ha Thi Khiet, a Secretary of the Party Central Committee and head of the Party Commission for Mass Mobilisation, made the statement during her visit to the Vietnam Buddhist Academy in Hanoi on April 29 to mark Buddha’s 2553^rd birthday.

She noted that in the course of its development, Buddhism has promoted the true values of its doctrine and made a significant contribution to the past struggle for national liberation and the current cause of national construction and development.

She praised Buddhists for actively taking part in social and humanitarian activities including raising funds for the poor and caring for people with disabilities.

Most Venerable Thich Thanh Tu, director of the Vietnam Buddhist Academy, said that the Sangha’s successful hosting of the UN Day of Vesak last year testified to the Party and State’s respect for religious freedom in Vietnam.

Most Venerable Tu, who is also vice president of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha’s Executive Council, said that all Buddhists are looking forwards to the 6^th World Buddhist Summit to be held in Vietnam 2010.