In Hanoi, Public Security Deputy Minister, Lieutenant General To Lam sent his Season’s Greetings to Cardinal and Archbishop of the Hanoi diocese Nguyen Van Nhon and Hanoi’s Catholic dignitaries and followers. He called on Hanoi’s Catholic dignitaries to encourage local Catholic followers to unite with people nationwide to follow the Party and State’s guidelines, policies, and laws, to contribute to national development, defense, and unity.

Lieutenant General To Lam in his meeting with Archbishop of the Hanoi diocese Nguyen Van Nhon. Photo: Viet Hung/cand.com.vn

A delegation from the Steering Committee for the Central Highlands, led by the committee’s deputy chairwoman H’Ngam Nie Kdam, visited and extended best wishes to Protestant priests and followers in Dak Lak, Gia Lai, and Kon Tum province on the occasion of Christmas. Ms. H’Ngam Nie Kdam hailed contributions by the local Protestant community in poverty reduction, socio-economic development, and maintenance of political security and the traditional culture.

On Monday, Quang Ninh province’s Party Committee met with local Catholic followers to listen to their concerns and aspirations on the occasion of Christmas and New Year. Head of the Quang Ninh diocese, priest Daminh Nguyen Chan Hung said: "We are very satisfied with Quang Ninh authorities’ wise and thoughtful handling of religious issues. We totally trust the Party and State’s policies and guidelines. We promise to do our best to encourage Catholic followers to further contribute to national development."

Can Tho province’s authorities visited Catholics and Protestants in Ninh Kieu district. Can Tho is home to nearly 100,000 Christian followers, accounting for over 9 percent of the city’s population.

In the southern province of Vinh Long, the local Fatherland Front met with local Catholics and Protestants and wished them a merry festive season. Catholic and Protestant representatives thanked the local authorities for their attention to economic development and religious practice, and pledged greater efforts for local development.

On this occasion, Thai Nguyen authorities paid visits to Catholic and Protestant dignitaries and followers in the locality.