Most Venerable Thich Tri Tinh, President of the VBS Executive Council, made the statement during the opening of a two-day seminar in Ho Chi Minh City on January 16-17 to mark the 25th anniversary of the VBS establishment (1981-2006).

Over the past 25 years, the VBS has made efforts to promote the spirit of national unity, urged monks and nuns to respect religious duties, actively participated in all national activities. The Most Venerable told this to nearly 180 participants, including dignitaries of the VBS's Sangha Council and Executive Council, representatives from VBS country-wide chapters, researchers and scholars.

He went on to say that the VBS has made great achievements in building and developing Vietnamese Buddhism, contributing to the national construction process.

The fact the VBS has been operating in line with Buddhist regulations and state laws is the major factor behind all of its achievements over the past 25 years and will still continue to be so in the future, the Most Venerable added.

He stressed that in the context of international integration, the VBS and its chapters should promote the tradition of national unity and reform its organisation and operation apparatus to adapt itself to current and future situations.