(VOVworld) - Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc received 42 religious leaders representing different religions nationwide in the upcoming meeting to mark the 70^th anniversary of the August Revolution and National Day.

He recalled President Ho Chi Minh’s list of priority tasks following the proclamation of an independent Vietnam, including freedom of religion and unity between believers and non-believers. He reiterated the Party and State’s unswerving policy of respecting and securing freedom of religion, considering it a need of people and will contributing on the path towards socialism. He encouraged religious people to contribute to national construction and defense: “Vietnamese national construction and defense is of importance every Vietnamese person, wherever they are and whatever beliefs they have. I hope that religions will promote good values and under your leadership, we will overcome challenges for a stable life, prosperity and happiness, for an equal and democratic country.”