(VOVworld) – The Secretary of Ho Chi Minh City Party Committee, Le Thanh Hai, and other city leaders offered New Year wishes to religious followers on Monday.

Party Secretary Le Thanh Hai presents gifts to the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha. (Photo: www.sggp.org.vn)

Hai urged the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha to pay more attention to the lives of its followers and contribute to Vietnam’s development and defense. Venerable Thich Thien Nhon, Acting President of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha’s Executive Council, promised to disseminate policies and guidelines for national development to his Buddhist followers and accompany the State in celebrating major events in Vietnam in 2015.   

 On Monday, 120 religious dignitaries gathered in Can Tho city where they were urged to engage more in emulation movements, such as enhancing unity at their places of residence, to build a more civilized city.