Deputy Prime Minister Truong Hoa Binh, on Sunday, visited to the Diocese of Da Nang and the city-based Evangelical Church of Viet Nam in the Southern region, in recognition of this year’s Christmas season.

Deputy Prime Minister Binh (left) extending Christmas greetings to the Diocese of Da Nang

Deputy Prime Minister Binh was accompanied by municipal People's Committee Chairman Huynh Duc Tho, and representatives from national government agencies.

The national government high-ranking official wished the local Catholic dignitaries and followers a happy and peaceful Christmas and New Year.

He also hoped that Catholic dignitaries and followers would promote the national unity tradition, actively participate in patriotic emulation movements, and strictly abide by the national laws, guidelines and policies.

On behalf of the local Catholic community, Bishop of the Diocese of Da Nang Giuse Dang Duc Ngan and Chairman of the Evangelical Church of Viet Nam (Southern region) Pastor Ma Phuc Hiep vowed that, in the coming time, they would encourage Catholic followers to ensure a ‘good secular and religious life’, and to bolster the city’s progress, and that of the country as a whole.

On the same day, Deputy Prime Minister Binh visited and extended Christmas greetings to the Protestant family of Mrs Dinh Thi Vuot in Cam Le District’s Khue Trung Ward.

Deputy Prime Minister Binh (left) being warmly received by Mrs Vuot

As one of the former representatives of the South-East Asian Relief (SEAR), Mrs Vuot was actively engaged in helping many children living in difficult circumstances in Da Nang and the neighbouring province of Quang Nam through giving scholarships to them, and help them access medical treatment and vocational training.

Previously, on Friday, a group of the Da Nang leaders, led by municipal Party Committee Deputy Secretary Vo Cong Tri paid Christmas visits to the Diocese of Da Nang, the Vietnamese Christian Mission and the Representative Board of the municipal Protestant Church.

The Da Nang leaders paying the Christmas visit to the Diocese of Da Nang

Deputy Secretary Tri highly applauded the religious units for engaging believers in participating in the city-launched patriotic emulation movements; especially activities aiming at promoting the city’s socio-economic and cultural progress, strengthening national defense and security, and building peaceful religious hamlets with no social evils.

The city leader also highly appreciated the active engagement by religious organisations in charitable and humanitarian campaigns, poverty reduction activities, and the building of cultural residential areas across the city.

He also encouraged the Catholic community to make greater joint efforts with other local residents to make Da Nang an even more prosperous, civilised, and modern city in the future.

In reply, the hosts expressed their sincere thanks to the city leaders for facilitating local religious followers to practise their faith over recent years and promised to make greater devotions to the city’s growth.