A delegation of Da Nang’s leaders, led by municipal Party Committee Secretary Nguyen Van Quang, on Thursday, visited the Da Nang Diocese in the build up to the upcoming Christmas Festival 2023.

Da Nang Party Committee Secretary Nguyen Van Quang (left) giving a Christmas gift to Bishop Dang Duc Ngan. Photo: X.HAU

On behalf of the city leaders, Secretary Quang wished Bishop Dang Duc Ngan, Coadjutor Archbishop of Hue Archdiocese cum Bishop of the Da Nang Diocese, and Catholic dignitaries and followers there a merry Christmas and happy New Year.

The city Party chief Quang said that last year was a meaningful year for Catholic dignitaries and followers nationwide in general and in Da Nang in particular with many important events.

He happily informed that the visit to the Vatican by Vietnamese State President Vo Van Thuong in July helped open the door for new development prospects and the progression of ties between the Southeast Asian country and the Holy See.

Da Nang Party Committee Secretary Nguyen Van Quang (4th, left) and the city leaders presenting flowers to the Da Nang Diocese on the occasion of the upcoming Christmas Festival 2023. Photo: X.H. Photo: X.HAU

Also, Viet Nam and the Holy See concluded the "agreement on the status of the Resident Papal Representative and the Office of the Resident Papal Representative in Viet Nam". The conclusion of the agreement was an important step in the context of positive development in the bilateral relations, and the result of discussions in the spirit of mutual respect and understanding, and cooperation, he emphasised.

Mr. Quang expressed his belief that Catholic dignitaries and followers in the city will always promote the tradition of ‘loving God - loving the country’, and accompany the nation, the city and people to build Da Nang into a prosperous, beautiful, peaceful, civilised and modern city in the coming time.

In reply, Bishop Dang Duc Ngan thanked Secretary Nguyen Van Quang for his good wishes. At the same time, he affirmed that the city's Catholics will continue to accompany the municipal government to promote the city’s socio-economic development in the years ahead.

​Reporting by N.QUANG, X.HAU - Translating by M.DUNG