Religions in Dong Nai actively support flood-affected compatriots

Responding to the Call of the Vietnam Fatherland Front Committee of the province, the Dong Nai Red Cross Society, since October 2025, the Executive Board of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha (VBS) of the province, the Mendicant Buddhist Sect (VBS), the Xuan Loc Diocese, and the Provincial Committee for Solidarity of Vietnamese Catholics have mobilized dignitaries, functionaries, male and female monastics, and followers to support and assist compatriots affected by natural disasters.

Members of the Dong Nai Provincial Charity Association from various religions receive gifts to support people affected by natural disasters at the association's headquarters. Photo: Van Truyen

These activities have contributed to spreading the spirit of living "good life - beautiful religion" and "accompanying the people" of religions.

Dong Nai Catholics raise funds to support flood-affected compatriots

Dong Nai province currently has nearly 4.5 million residents, with more than 60% of the population being religious followers. As such, social welfare activities in the province, including contributions to support compatriots in overcoming the consequences of natural disasters, have seen the critical involvement of religious followers, dignitaries, and functionaries. Thanks to this, through mobilization efforts by the Vietnam Fatherland Front Committee, the Dong Nai Provincial Vietnam Fatherland Front Committee, and local communes and wards, dignitaries, functionaries, and religious followers have actively contributed.

Among the more than 88 billion VND and many tons of goods (including food, provisions, certain types of medicine, clothing, etc.) received by the Dong Nai Provincial Fatherland Front Committee and the Provincial Red Cross Society from October 3 to 31, 2025, was the active participation of religious dignitaries, functionaries, and followers. From November 7 to the present, religious communities have continued to contribute in various forms to support compatriots affected by natural disasters.

According to statistics from the Dong Nai Provincial Vietnam Fatherland Front Committee, from November 7 to November 29, 2025, in response to the Call to support compatriots in provinces and cities impacted by floods (phase 2), more than 1,400 individuals, agencies, units, and organizations have contributed nearly 22.6 billion VND.

Among these, Catholic compatriots have actively organized activities and made contributions to help those affected by natural disasters. Specifically, during the Catholic Mass held on November 27 at the Our Lady of Cui Mountain Center, the Xuan Loc Diocese issued a Call to dignitaries, functionaries, and followers to join hands in supporting compatriots in overcoming the effects of natural disasters. Methods of support included: contributing to the addresses specified by the Vietnam Fatherland Front (VFF) Committee, the Dong Nai Provincial VFF Committee, and local communes and wards; and connecting with parishes in disaster-affected areas to provide direct assistance...

According to Priest Nguyen Minh Chanh, Vice Chairman of the Provincial Committee for Solidarity of Vietnamese Catholics, and Parish Priest of An Khuong Parish (Tan Hung commune), to join hands with the people of Dong Nai to help compatriots overcome the consequences of storms and floods, the parish immediately contributed 20 million VND to help the people of Dak Lak province. At the same time, the parish has mobilized followers to contribute in response to the Call of the VFF Committee and Red Cross societies at all levels. In addition, the parish also launched a campaign for parishioners to collect scrap to raise funds to support flood-affected compatriots.

Along with that, Catholic, Buddhist, and other religious compatriots who are members of the Dong Nai Provincial Charity Association and volunteers of the Provincial Red Cross Society not only contributed material aid but also spent time participating in organizing the reception, arrangement, and packaging of donated goods.

Nguyen Phu Cuong, Chairman of the Dong Nai Provincial Charity Association, stated: The Provincial Charity Association has mobilized and received donations in cash and goods from hundreds of individuals and groups, totaling approximately 1 billion VND. This outcome involves the active participation of members from various religious backgrounds.

Nguyen Thi Thanh (a Catholic follower residing in Bien Hoa ward) said: Although the contribution is not of great value, through the Provincial Charity Association, she wishes to join others in sending words of encouragement to people in storm- and flood-affected areas so they may soon recover and stabilize their lives.

Journeys of love by Dong Nai Buddhism

Also during this time, dignitaries, functionaries, and followers of Dong Nai Buddhism are actively mobilizing, receiving, and distributing resources to support people affected by natural disasters.

According to Venerable Thich Thien Tri, Chief of Office of the Executive Board of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha in Dong Nai province, in response to the Call of the VFF Committee and Red Cross societies at all levels in Dong Nai province, male and female monastics and followers of Dong Nai Buddhism have not only joined hands to contribute but also proactively organized relief activities.

Accordingly, from November 13 to November 15, 2025, the Executive Board of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha in Dong Nai province organized a visit, sharing, and presented 2,000 gifts to people in difficult areas in the provinces of Quang Ngai, Gia Lai, and Dak Lak, with a total value of over 1 billion VND.

Similarly, from October 2025 until now, through the process of mobilization and fundraising, Most Venerable Nun Thich Nu Nhat Khuong, Certification of Ordination for Nuns of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha of Dong Nai, Abbess of Quang Minh Pagoda (Binh Phuoc Ward), along with nuns and followers in the province, have organized many relief trips, bringing food and provisions to assist people in localities affected by natural disasters.

In addition, according to Most Venerable Thich Giac Dang, Deputy Head of the Charity and Social Affairs Board of the Mendicant Buddhist Sect (Vietnam Buddhist Sangha), Abbot of Ngoc Xuan Hermitage (Bao Vinh Ward), from November 20 to 28, the Charity and Social Affairs Board of the Mendicant Buddhist Sect mobilized and organized a delegation to visit and present 3,000 gifts (worth 700,000-750,000 VND/gift) to support people affected by storms and floods.

Meanwhile, Venerable Thich Nhuan Hanh, Abbot of Hoang Mai Pagoda (Long Giao Commune), shared that from November 20 to 25, Hoang Mai Pagoda, Hoang Do Pagoda, and Lien Hoa Pagoda (Xuan Que Commune), together with Buddhist followers, organized a trip to deliver 600 relief packages (valued at 1 million VND each) to support residents severely affected by flooding in Gia Lai, Dak Lak provinces and other areas.

Currently, according to Venerable Thich Thien Tri, the mobilization, reception, and organization of delegations to visit and present gifts to people affected by natural disasters are being actively carried out by the Executive Board of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha in Dong Nai province, as well as by individual pagodas and institutes. At the same time, Dong Nai Buddhist dignitaries and officials also call on followers to contribute according to their ability, in response to the Call of the Vietnam Fatherland Front Committee and Red Cross societies at all levels, to join hands to help people overcome difficulties and soon stabilize their lives.

By Van Truyen – Translated by Mai Nga, Minho