On June 19, the 1st An Giang Provincial Buddhist Congress, term 2026-2031, solemnly took place at the Provincial Culture and Arts Center (Rach Gia ward), with the participation of about 700 delegates who are dignitaries, monks, nuns, Buddhists, and leaders of the Central Church, central and local agencies.
Quang Lam witnessed and attended the congress with elder Venerable Chau Ty, Vice Chairman of the Patronage Council; elder Venerable Thich Thien Nhon, Vice Chairman of the Patronage Council, Chairman of the Executive Council; elder Venerable Thich Thien Phap, Standing Vice Chairman of the Executive Council; elder Venerable Thich Hue Tai and venerable dignitaries of the Patronage Council, Executive Council, Executive Board of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha (GHPG) of An Giang province and representatives of Central Committees and Institutes of the Sangha.
The Congress also had the participation of Ms. Tran Thi Minh Nga, Deputy Head of the Government Committee for Religious Affairs; Mr. Nguyen Thanh Nhan, Standing Deputy Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee, Chairman of the People's Council of An Giang province; Mr. Le Van Phuoc, Vice Chairman of the People's Committee of An Giang province, along with leaders of departments, agencies, branches, armed forces and localities.
Speaking at the opening ceremony, Venerable Thich Thien Thong, Vice Chairman of the Executive Council, Head of the Executive Board of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha of An Giang province, Head of the Congress Organizing Committee emphasized that the 1st An Giang Provincial Buddhist Congress is of special significance, marking a turning point for Buddhism in the province after the merger of administrative units. With the theme "Discipline - Innovation - Effectiveness - Efficiency", the congress is an opportunity to summarize Buddhist affairs work, and set out operating directions for the new term in the spirit of solidarity, harmony and unity.
At the congress, Venerable Thich Minh Nhan presented a summary report on the results of the preparatory session, approved the summary report on Buddhist affairs work for the 2022-2027 term, directions for activities for the 2026-2031 term; announced the expiration of the old term of the Executive Board and introduced the expected personnel to participate in the new term of the Executive Board.
On this occasion, the Standing Committee of the Executive Council of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha awarded Certificates of Merit to the collective of the Executive Board of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha of An Giang province. An Giang Provincial People's Committee awarded Certificates of Merit to 2 collectives and 9 individuals; The Vietnam Fatherland Front Committee of the province awarded Certificates of Merit to 15 individuals with many contributions in Buddhist activities and social security work.
The Congress unanimously elected the Executive Board of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha of An Giang province for the term 2026-2031, including: 13 Patronage Board members, 7 Ni Patronage Dignity Members of the Ni Division and 105 members of the Executive Board. In which the Standing Board has 35 members, 60 members and 10 alternate members.
Venerable Thich Thien Thong continued to be trusted and elected to hold the position of Head of the Executive Board of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha in An Giang province for the 2026-2031 term. Deputy Heads include: Venerable Chau Son Hy (in charge of Thomadút Nikaya sect (VP2); Venerable Danh Thiep (in charge of MahaNikaya sect (VP2); Venerable Ly Long Cong Danh (in charge of MahaNikaya sect (VP1); Venerable Chau Pros; Venerable Danh Liem; Venerable Thich Minh Nhan (cum Chief Secretary of the Executive Board, in charge of VP1 (old Kien Giang); Venerable Thich Vien Quang in charge of VP2 (old An Giang); Venerable Thich Hue Tam; Venerable Thich Giac Tin (in charge of the Khattisi Sect).
Speaking to receive the assignment, Venerable Thich Thien Thong affirmed that the new Executive Board will promote the tradition of solidarity, maintain discipline, innovate activities, uphold the rule of law, the Charter of the Sangha and the State law; determined to successfully implement the Congress Resolution, contributing to building Buddhism in An Giang province to become increasingly strong and developed.
On this occasion, the Executive Board of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha of An Giang province presented a symbolic plaque of the 2026-2031 term social security program with a total budget of 40 billion VND to provincial leaders.
Speaking at the Congress, Vice Chairman of An Giang Provincial People's Committee Le Van Phuoc acknowledged and praised the outstanding contributions of the Provincial Buddhist Sangha in social security work, with hundreds of billions of VND mobilized and more than 178 Great Solidarity houses built in the past time. At the same time, he requested the new Executive Board to continue to guide monks, nuns, and Buddhists to study according to the Dharma, comply with the law, strengthen the great national unity bloc, promote the spirit of protecting the country and people, and actively participate in environmental protection.
The Sangha at the Congress, elder Venerable Thich Thien Nhon acknowledged and praised the Buddhist achievements of the An Giang Provincial Executive Board in the past time; and at the same time wished the new Executive Board to continue to promote the tradition of solidarity and harmony, effectively implement the Buddhist program for the new term, contributing to building an increasingly stable and developed Church.
The Congress also voted to approve the Resolution for the 2026-2031 term including 8 key contents.
