(VOVWORLD) - Vietnamese Catholics are jubilantly celebrating Christmas Day and together with other people welcoming a new year with hope for peace and happiness. Over the past days, delegations of the Vietnamese Party, State, the Fatherland Front, the Government Committee for Religious Affairs, and local administrations have visited Catholic dignitaries and followers. A peaceful and merry Christmas is vivid evidence of the freedom of religion in Vietnam.
 National Assembly Chairwoman Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan visits the Hue Archdiocese |
Prior to Christmas, National Assembly Chairwoman Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan extended Christmas and New Year Greetings to Catholic dignitaries, priests, and followers while visiting the Archdiocese of Hue in Thua Thien-Hue province. She highlighted Catholics’ contributions to national construction and defense.
"Amid difficulties during 2020, we praise solidarity, consensus, and support of the people and the role of religious organizations, particularly the Catholic Church and Catholics in Thua Thien-Hue, and people nationwide. The Archbishop, priests, dignitaries and followers have supported the Party and State policies on national construction and defense. Chairman of the Vietnam Episcopal Council Archbishop Nguyen Chi Linh has adjusted religious activities in order to ensure COVID-19 prevention and mobilized followers to help flood victims in central Vietnam." said Ngan.
 Deputy Prime Minister Truong Hoa Binh visits Catholic and Protestant followers in Lam Dong province |
Deputy Prime Minister Truong Hoa Binh visited Catholic dignitaries and followers in the Archdiocese of Da Lat and the Vietnam Protestant Church in Lam Dong province. The Deputy Prime Minister praised Catholics and Protestant followers in Lam Dong and nationwide for helping people in central Vietnam overcome difficulties and stabilize their lives. He highlighted the important role of the Da Lat archdiocese and bishops in promoting nationwide unity.
"The government has worked closely with churches and dioceses, local authorities, and the Fatherland Front to organize a peaceful and cheerful Christmas. We hope to make Christmas a festival of Catholics and other people nationwide," said Binh
Secretary of Hanoi Party Committee Vuong Dinh Hue visited the Hanoi Archdiocese on the occasion of Christmas and New Year 2021. He praised contributions made by the Hanoi Archdiocese and Catholics in Hanoi over the past year. President of the Vietnam Fatherland Front Tran Thanh Man visited Catholics in Thai Binh and Nam Dinh province. Bishop Vu Dinh Hieu of Bui Chu diocese thanked leaders of the Party and State, political and social organizations, and the local administration for creating favorable conditions for Catholics to practice their cultural and religious activities.
In 2020, religious followers including Catholics nationwide have contributed greatly to the fight against COVID-19 and worked closely to promote national unity. They are now cheerfully celebrating Christmas.
“I wish everyone a merry Christmas and safety in the epidemic.”
“I wish this world to be more beautiful and peaceful and everyone to be happy, and that Vietnam will continue to develop. I wish all Vietnamese people health, happiness, and love.”
“I hope I will have more money to travel around with my friends and family.”
By the end of 2019, Vietnam had licensed 43 organizations of 16 recognized and certified religions with more than 57,000 religious dignitaries and 29,000 worshiping establishments.
Religious activities in Vietnam have been practiced actively in Vietnam for years. 95% of the Vietnamese population claim some religious belief, and religious festivals and ritual ceremonies are popular throughout the community.