Permanent Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Hoa Binh emphasized that the UN Day of Vesak 2025 was a profound source of inspiration, reviving faith and awakening the compassionate energy inherent in every individual.

On the morning of May 8, during the closing ceremony of the UN Day of Vesak 2025 at the Vietnam Buddhist Academy in Ho Chi Minh City, Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Hoa Binh announced the success of the three-day celebration.

The event welcomed more than 2,700 delegates from Vietnam and abroad, along with tens of thousands of monks, nuns, and lay Buddhists. It served as a spiritual gathering for global followers of Buddhism, fostering solidarity and promoting the noble values of the religion.

The Deputy PM noted that in recent days, the wisdom and compassion of Buddhism had deeply resonated, building bridges between nations, religions, and cultures.

All participants shared a noble aspiration: to cultivate tolerance, harmony, and kindness in the pursuit of lasting global peace and cooperation.

A powerful call for world peace

Quoting UN Secretary-General António Guterres, Deputy PM Binh stated: “The timeless teachings of the Buddha on peace, compassion, and service to others show us the path to a better, more understanding, and harmonious world for all.” Vesak 2025 exemplified this vision.

Held under the theme “Solidarity and tolerance for human dignity: Buddhist wisdom for world peace and sustainable development”, the event reaffirmed the vital responsibility Buddhism holds in addressing global issues.

The celebration inspired individuals worldwide, rekindling their faith and activating inner goodness. It emphasized core Buddhist values such as compassion, mindfulness, and ethics as effective, sustainable approaches to today’s most urgent challenges - from human development and environmental protection to global peacebuilding.

Deputy PM Binh described the celebration as a compelling call for international cooperation to create a peaceful, just, and sustainable world for the collective benefit of humanity.

He recalled the words of beloved President Ho Chi Minh: “Vietnamese Buddhism has shared sweet and bitter times with our nation throughout its thousands of years of history.”

That noble tradition continues to flourish today. The Vietnam Buddhist Sangha actively promotes compassion and wisdom, inspiring patriotism, solidarity, and providing a strong foundation for national unity. Buddhism plays a crucial role in building a peaceful society and advancing Vietnam’s development.

Hosting the 2025 UN Day of Vesak in Ho Chi Minh City was a defining moment, underscoring the rising global stature of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha and its contribution to international dialogue, conflict resolution, social justice, and sustainable growth.

“This is also living proof of Vietnam’s commitment to sharing the Buddha’s teachings with the world,” the Deputy PM affirmed.

A testament to Vietnam’s human values

Deputy PM Binh summarized that, after 40 years of renewal, Vietnam has achieved significant and historic milestones, particularly in meeting the United Nations’ Millennium Development Goals. The people’s material and spiritual well-being has steadily improved, and poverty rates have dropped significantly.

The UN recognizes Vietnam as a model of poverty alleviation and peace - a nation known for hospitality, stability, and as an attractive destination for investors and tourists.

“At this forum, I would like to share with you that in 2025, Vietnam will waive school tuition for children and complete the elimination of makeshift and dilapidated housing by building 223,000 new homes for national contributors, low-income, and near-poor households. We are also working to reduce medical expenses and aim to offer free healthcare,” he announced.

He added that the Buddha, in his boundless compassion, always urges us to perform such virtuous and benevolent acts.

Deputy PM Binh also reaffirmed Vietnam’s consistent policy of respecting and protecting citizens’ freedom of belief and religion, ensuring equality and non-discrimination on religious grounds.

Under the leadership of the Party and State, people of all faiths in Vietnam have united and actively contributed to national development, especially in economic progress, social welfare, and humanitarian efforts - ensuring no one is left behind.

“Vietnam will continue striving to ensure a prosperous, happy life for all its people, in pursuit of a wealthy, strong, democratic, just, and civilized nation,” he said.

Concluding his remarks, Deputy PM Nguyen Hoa Binh highlighted that the successful organization of the UN Day of Vesak 2025 in Vietnam is a powerful affirmation of the country’s humanistic values and remarkable achievements.

He expressed sincere gratitude to UN representatives, international guests, delegates, and Buddhist followers from near and far for their enthusiastic participation, wisdom, and contributions to the event’s success.

He noted that Vesak has proven to be a globally significant celebration and should continue to be held annually.

Closing his speech, he expressed hope that all participants would carry the message of Vesak 2025 from Vietnam with love and hope for a peaceful and beautiful world, spreading its spirit to all nations and communities.

Ha Nguyen - Nguyen Hue - Dinh Tuyen