Religious communities join hands for Dong Nai’s development

During the process of restructuring local governments into a two-tier model across the country and in the province, religious dignitaries and officials have encouraged followers to remain confident in the Party’s and State’s policies. At the same time, the Executive Board of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha (VBS) in Dong Nai and the Provincial Committee for Solidarity of Vietnamese Catholics have proactively reorganized their structures to align with the new governance model.

This endeavor is just one of the many activities through which dignitaries, clerics, and followers of different religions participate in and contribute to the development of Dong Nai province.

People with disabilities receive gifts supported by Phuc Lam Pagoda in Tam Hiep Ward. Photo: Van Truyen

Ready to join emulation movements

Dong Nai is currently home to 10 religions recognized by the State, with 2.5 million religious followers out of a population of nearly 4.5 million.

According to Huynh Thi Hang, Deputy Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee and Chairwoman of the Vietnam Fatherland Front (VFF) Committee of Dong Nai, religious organizations in recent years have not only taken care of spiritual life but also strongly promoted the spirit of “living a good life and practicing a good religion,” upholding the tradition of “protecting the country, safeguarding the people,” and joining hands with local governments and the Fatherland Front at all levels in building new-style rural areas, civilized urban centers, and in social welfare activities.

Specifically, under the program to eliminate makeshift and dilapidated houses, religious organizations made significant contributions, helping the province complete over 2,000 solid houses. In the process of building new-style rural areas and civilized urban centers, they coordinated the mobilization of resources to construct and repair more than 35 kilometers of roads and six cultural and sports facilities. Activities such as the “Military–Civilian Tet” program, honoring families with meritorious service, and supporting disadvantaged households have also been carried out in close coordination with authorities. Since the beginning of 2025 alone, the Fatherland Front at all levels has mobilized religious organizations and individuals to pledge contributions worth more than VND 58 billion to social welfare programs.

Among the 2.5 million religious adherents in Dong Nai, Catholics form the largest group with over 1.31 million, followed by Buddhists with more than 1 million. There are over 80,000 Protestants, while the remainder belong to other religions. These communities worship and carry out religious activities at 2,200 parishes, pagodas, monasteries, churches, and temples.

During the past term, Dong Nai was a major construction hub of the nation, with numerous national, regional, and provincial projects underway. Each project involved land clearance and site handover, where dignitaries and officials took the lead in agreeing to hand over land for implementation.

Venerable Thich Hue Khai, Chairman of the Executive Board of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha in Dong Nai, stated that during the implementation of the central trunk road project in Bien Hoa city (now part of Tran Bien Ward), nearly 4,000 square meters within the grounds of Tinh Hoi Pagoda were reclaimed. Buddhist dignitaries fully agreed and promptly handed over the land to the State.

In line with the Party and State’s policy that citizens have the right to freedom of belief and religion, to follow or not to follow a religion, and pursuant to the Law on Belief and Religion No. 02/2016/QH14 passed by the National Assembly on November 18, 2016 and effective from January 1, 2018, Dong Nai has consistently created favorable conditions for stable religious activities.

According to comrade Huynh Thi Hang, in recent years, provincial leaders and agencies have visited and extended greetings at many places of worship. On major religious holidays and important provincial and national events, the Provincial Party Committee, People’s Council, People’s Committee, and the VFF Committee of Dong Nai have organized meetings to share information and gather the thoughts and aspirations of dignitaries and officials on key provincial and national issues.

Father Do Duc Luc, Chief of the Office of the Xuan Loc Diocese, stated that during Christmas, military units hold celebrations for Catholic youths currently serving in the armed forces. These activities demonstrate strong spiritual support for both enlisted Catholic youth and the broader Catholic community. Such efforts help motivate clergy, lay leaders, and parishioners to encourage young people to actively fulfill their military service.

To continue engaging and connecting dignitaries, officials, and followers of all religions in contributing to the province’s development, the Political Report of the 1st Congress of the Dong Nai Provincial Party Committee (2025–2030 term) identified one of eight key solutions for implementing the resolution: Strongly promote the role of the people as the true subject and the strength of the great national unity bloc. This undertaking includes: ensuring and respecting the right to freedom of belief, religion, and non-religion for the people in the province; formulating support policies for religious communities in areas such as education, healthcare, housing, and economic development; and promoting the role of dignitaries, clergy, and religious officials in encouraging religious followers to 'lead good secular and religious lives,' comply with the law, foster solidarity, and make active contributions to the cause of national construction and defense.

Father Nguyen Minh Chanh, Vice Chairman of the CSVC in Dong Nai, stated that dignitaries, officials, and followers all hope that, under the leadership of the Provincial Party Committee and authorities, Dong Nai will continue to achieve comprehensive development. Religious dignitaries, officials, and followers continue to uphold the tradition of patriotism and solidarity, accompanying the authorities and the people in the cause of building Dong Nai into an increasingly prosperous and thriving province.

Meanwhile, Imam Do Ho Sen, Long Thanh Mosque, stated that the Cham Muslim community in Long Thanh is committed to contributing to provincial and national development by striving to improve family finances, ensuring children receive proper education, strictly adhering to the law, and actively participating in local emulation movements.

By Van Truyen – Translated by M.Nguyet, Minho