On May 22 and 23, at the Nguyet Hoa Ward Conference Center, the 1st Vinh Long Provincial Buddhist Congress, term 2026 - 2031 took place with the participation of about 800 delegates.
The Congress is of special significance after the Executive Board of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha of three provinces Vinh Long, Tra Vinh and Ben Tre officially merged according to the policy of arranging administrative units and the direction of the Central Sangha.
After the merger, the headquarters of the Executive Board of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha of Vinh Long province is located at Phat Ngoc Xa Loi Pagoda, Tan Ngai ward. This is also one of the large-scale Buddhist units in the Mekong Delta region.
Currently, the whole province manages 755 tự viện facilities, 34 concentrated religious activity points with more than 5,425 monks and nuns and about 805,000 Buddhist followers belonging to many sects such as Bac Tong, Nam Tong Khmer, Nam Tong Kinh and Khat Si.
Reports at the congress showed that in the period 2022 - 2026, Buddhism in the three predecessors provinces left many imprints in social security, charity and humanitarian work, and accompanied localities in caring for the lives of people in difficult circumstances.
Total resources contributed to humanitarian activities throughout the region reached nearly 805 billion VND. Of which, the old Vinh Long area contributed more than 200 billion VND, Tra Vinh more than 301 billion VND and Ben Tre more than 303 billion VND.
Many social security models continue to be effective such as Long Thanh Shelter taking care of lonely elderly people, Quan Am Tra On pagoda raising orphans, and scholarship support programs, taking care of Khmer people during traditional festivals.
In 2024, the Management Boards also organized many relief delegations towards people in disaster-stricken areas in the Northern and Central mountainous regions, showing the spirit of compassion and community responsibility.
In parallel with social activities, the training of Sangha Talent is focused on when three former Buddhist Intermediate Schools were merged into Vinh Long Provincial Buddhist Intermediate School, teaching at three main facilities.
Entering the 2026 - 2031 term, the Congress identified three key orientations including traditional inheritance, post-merger stability and sustainable development associated with governance innovation and digital transformation.
The Congress conducted a vote in the form of unanimity (through applause) to elect personnel to participate in the Executive Board of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha of Vinh Long province for the term 2026 - 2031, including 105 members. In which, the Standing Committee has 35 members; Members of the Executive Board 70 members, including 60 official members and 10 alternate members. The Congress unanimously elected Venerable Thach Sok Xane to take charge of the Head of the Executive Board of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha of Vinh Long province for the new term.
In the coming time, the Board of Directors will promote digital transformation, build a monk and nun database, digitize administrative documents and apply financial management software to improve operational efficiency and transparency.
