The requiem service conforms to common Buddhist practice whereby a service must be held five weeks after the death of a Buddhist.

While serving the religion, Most Venerable Tich, who died at the age of 91, was also chief monk of Ha Noi's Buddhist centre - the Quan Su Pagoda, and former head of the VBS's Executive Council.

The State conferred the Independence Order, first class on the dignitary in recognition of his contributions to religious and social affairs.

Earlier on April 9 in Ho Chi Minh City, the VBS Central Committee held a ceremony to commemorate the 21st anniversary of the death of Most Venerable Thich Tri Thu.

The service was attended by members of the VBS Executive Council and Patronage Council, Government officials in charge of religious affairs and representatives of the municipal Viet Nam Fatherland Front Central Committee.

Most Venerable Thich Tri Thu, born on November 1, 1909 in Trung Kien village, Trieu Phong, in central Quang Tri province, was President of the VBS Central Committee's Executive Council in from 1981 to 1987.

During his 56-year long religious life, Most Venerable Thu had made important contributions to national reconciliation, peace and reunification.