The event saw the particiaption of Chief of the MERA Office Nguyễn Cao Thịnh, Chairman of the Government Committee for Religious Affairs Vũ Hoài Bắc members of the working group, and representatives of the VBS.

An overview of the meeting

At the meeting,  the MERA’s Office Nguyễn Cao Thịnh announced Decision No. 824/QD-BDTTG, issued by the Minister of Ethnic and Religious Affairs on September 30, 2026 establishment of  the interagency working group to guide and assist the VBS in organising the 10th National Buddhist Congress for the 2026–2031 tenure.

The MERA’s Office Nguyễn Cao Thịnh speaks at the event

The working group has 13 members representing from central agencies and Ho Chi Minh municpal authorities and is headed by Deputy Minister Nguyễn Hải Trung.

Most Venerable Thích Thanh Huân, Secretary-Member of the Standing Board of the VBS Executive Council and Deputy Chief of the VBS Central Office I, briefed that the Congress is scheduled to take place over three days, from November 5 to 7, 2026, at the Vietnam Buddhist Academy in Ho Chi Minh City. It is expected to bring together 1,465 official delegates.

Most Venerable Thích Thanh Huân speaks at the event

During event, delegates focused on task assignment, preparations for welcoming international guests, and communications work through the media.

Chairman of the Government Committee for Religious Affairs Vũ Hoài Bắc speaks at the event

They also discussed and clarified issues related to entry and exit procedures for international delegates, emulation and commendation, as well as security, healthcare and traffic arrangements during the congress.

For exhibitions, displays and cultural spaces, delegates called for coordination and support from the Ho Chi Minh City authorities in order to ensure these activities match the scale and significance of the congress.

Deputy Director of the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Ethnic and Religious Affairs Nguyễn Duy Tân speaks at the meeting.

Concluding the meeting, Deputy Minister Nguyễn Hải Trung thanked delegates for their contributions. He asked the drafting agency to incorporate the feedback into the congress organisation plan, ensuring consistency, initiative and effectiveness.

The plan must follow the “six clears” principle, he said: clear people, clear tasks, clear timelines, clear responsibilities, clear outputs and clear authority, along with related requirements, he stress that.

The Deputy Minister asked working group members to coordinate closely with the VBS, contributing to the success of the 10^th National Buddhist Congress for the 2026–2031 tenure./.