The signing took place in Hanoi on December 7. At the signing ceremony, both sides expressed their wish to share experience in implementing religious policies and hope that the cooperative agreement will further boost bilateral cooperation in State management of religious affairs.  

The Vietnamese official said that Buddhism has been strongly developed in Vietnam, far 2,000 years. The country now has more than 10 million Buddhist followers and 45,000 monks and nuns practising religious activities at 15,500 pagodas. In addition, Vietnam also has 4 Buddhist Institutes and more than 30 Buddhology schools.

The Vietnamese State always persists in respecting people’s freedom of religion and belief and equality between religions and encouraging religious activities for the national benefit. But it is strongly determined to combat any acts of taking advantage of religion for political and individual purposes.

 The Myanmar Minister said that Myanmar has different religions but a majority of people are Buddhists. The country has around 80,000 pagodas, including many world famous symbols of Buddhism. The Myanmar State ensures people’s rights of religious freedom by constitution and law.