During their stay in Vietnam from June 9, the delegation had working sessions with a Vietnamese delegation led by Nguyen The Doanh, Chairman of the Government’s Committee for Religious Affairs.

They were briefed on Vietnam’s economic, political, cultural, social, and diplomatic achievements, with better and better policies regarding religions in general and Catholicism in particular.

The Vatican delegation appreciated Vietnam’s progress in development and international integration and congratulated the country on its non-permanent membership in the United Nations Security Council.

They applauded the positive social fruits reaped by Vietnam, including religion-related activities, particularly its successful hosting of the UN Day of Vesak 2008 last May.

The two sides exchanged views on issues related to the Vietnam Catholic Church and other issues of mutual concern. All working sessions took place in a frank, open and constructive atmosphere.

While in Vietnam, the Vatican delegation was received by Deputy Prime Minister-cum-Foreign Minister Pham Gia Khiem, met with representatives of the Vietnam Council of Bishops, paid courtesy visits to Nguyen The Thao, Chairman of Hanoi People’s Committee, and Pham Xuan Son, Vice Head of the External Relations Commission under the Communist Party of Vietnam’s Central Committee.