On the morning of May 8, the 2025 United Nations Phatistic Festival Vesak officially ended successfully at the Vietnam Buddhist Academy (Binh Chanh District, Ho Chi Minh City) after three days of taking place with many meaningful activities.
Attending the closing ceremony were Politburo member, Permanent Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Hoa Binh; Politburo member, Secretary of the Ho Chi Minh City Party Committee Nguyen Van Nen; Deputy Prime Minister Mai Van Chinh; Minister of Culture and Ethnic Minorities Dao Ngoc Dung, along with Party and State leaders and representatives of leaders of other countries.
Attending the closing ceremony, there were also the Venerable Thich Thien Nhon, Deputy Dharma owner of the Council, Chairman of the Vietnam Buddhist Church Council, Chairman of the UN International Organization Committee of the UN 2025 in Vietnam; GS.HT.TS Phra Brahmapundit - Chairman of the International Committee of the Vesak United Nations Ceremony (ICDV), with the monks and nuns, Buddhists.
Speaking at the ceremony, Permanent Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Hoa Binh affirmed that the success of the Vesak 2025 with the theme "Solidarity and tolerance for humanity: Buddhist cultivation for World Peace and Sustainable Development" has once again highlighted the noble responsibility of Buddhism in solving global problems.
The festival is a great source of inspiration, awakening faith and arousing good energy in each person; affirming the core values of Buddhism such as compassion, mindfulness and morality, capable of clearly stating the effective and sustainable path to solve current global problems and challenges, from comprehensive human development, environmental protection, to building a solid peaceful foundation; a strong signal to promote international cooperation to create a peaceful, fair and sustainable world for the common good of all people, Permanent Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Hoa Binh said.
The Permanent Deputy Prime Minister emphasized that Vietnam always consistently implements policies of respecting and protecting freedom of belief and religion, ensuring equality and no discrimination. He also acknowledged the solidarity, attachment and positive contributions of people of all faiths to the cause of national construction and development, especially in social security work and caring for the disadvantaged.
The success of the Great Ceremony, according to Standing Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Hoa Binh, is a powerful evidence for the human values and great achievements of Vietnam, affirming the cultural tradition of Hoa Hieu, compassionate, and peaceful love of the nation, the proper religious policy of the Party and the State, as well as the increasing position and international reputation of Vietnam. Permanent Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Hoa Binh also sent deep thanks to the United Nations representatives, international guests, delegates and all monks and nuns and Buddhists who contributed to the overall success of the Great Ceremony.
At the closing ceremony, Venerable Thich Duc Thien, Vice Chairman and General Secretary of the Vietnam Buddhist Church Council, Vice Chairman and General Secretary of the National Organization Committee of the Great Ceremony, announced the statement of Ho Chi Minh City. This statement shows Buddhism's response to the urgent challenges of the world, based on the principles of nonviolent and tolerant principles for human dignity. "We reaffirm the role of Vietnam as one of the centers of the World Buddhism, the center of the Buddhism in the world associated with cultural diplomatic activities, promoting solidarity and harmony for peace and peace for people," Venerable Thich Duc Thien emphasized.
The Venerable Thich Thanh Nhieu, Standing Member of the Council for Proof, Standing Vice Chairman of the Vietnam Buddhist Church Council, said that this year's Vesak Ceremony has attracted more than 1,000 essays focusing on the main theme of the Great Ceremony. The Venerable also quoted President Sri Lanka at the opening session, praising Vietnam as a resilient country and achieved great achievements after historical pain.
The 2025 Vesak Festival, hosted for the fourth time by Vietnam, gathered about 2,700 delegates, including about 1,200 international delegates from 85 countries and territories, affirming Vietnam's important position in the world Buddhist community.
