The legal status certificate was handed over to the religion by the Head of the Governmental Committee for Religious Affairs, Nguyen The Doanh, at its Headquarters in Ho Chi Minh City on October 17.

The religion’s Chief Prelate said at the ceremony that the entire Minh Ly religion, from clerics to followers, bore profound gratitude to the Government and relevant agencies for recognising their belief. He also pledged to boost religious practice in accordance with the sect’s principles and national law as well.

The Minh Ly sect has made considerable contributions to humanitarian and charitable movements and promoted the sprit of leniency, happiness and development, Mr Doanh said.

He called on clerics and followers of the Minh Ly Dao religion to unite and make further contributions to national development.

Founded 85 years ago, Minh Ly Dao-Tam Tong Mieu now boasts some 1,000 followers and three temples in Ho Chi Minh City, the southern provinces of Ba Ria-Vung Tau and Long An.