Photo for illustration.

The Secretary of Ho Chi Minh City’s Party Committee Le Thanh Hai led a delegation to pay a pre-Tet (Lunar New Year) visit the southern office of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha Central Committee (VBFCC) on January 24.

Hai informed his host, the Most Venerable Thich Duc Nghiep, Deputy Patriarch of the VBSCC’s Patronage Council, about the city’s socio-economic achievements in 2013.

The country’s largest economic hub posted a GDP growth of 9.3 percent and a CPI increase of 5.1 percent, much lower than the national level (more than 9 percent). It also recorded per capita income of 4,513 USD, exceeding the set target of 4,000 USD.

On the occasion of the Lunar New Year, Hai also extended greetings and thanked the VBS for encouraging its followers to lead good secular and religious lives.

The same day, Hai and his entourage paid a visit to the HCM City Buddhist Sangha.

Most Venerable Thich Tri Quang, Head of the managing committee of the HCM City Buddhist Sangha, said the organisation will continue to encourage its followers to make contribution to the city’s socio-economic development in 2014.

Source: VNA