State President meets religious dignitaries

He made the comments at a reception for 29 dignitaries representing 17 religious organisations nationwide, in Hanoi, on August 18. He urged religious leaders to promote humanitarian values and ethics to lead a healthy life, and encourage their followers to actively participate in socio-economic and cultural development, and protect security and order in their localities. Applauding the contribution to national construction and defence, the leader noted his hope that the religious leaders would continue to work with each other and with people nationwide. Vietnam is currently home to 39 religious organisations from 14 recognised religions, with 28,000 places of worship and 25 million followers, representing about 27 percent of the country’s population.