A delegation of 24 volunteers from the Hanoi Branch of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints' Missionary Training Center (MTC) and five staff members from the Asia Area Office of LDS Charities (LDSC) in Hong Kong, China, led by Hanoi Branch President Rob Howell, held a working meeting with the Vietnam Union of Friendship Organizations (VUFO) in Hanoi on December 16.
| Phan Anh Son, president of VUFO, greets the delegation. Photo: VNA |
VUFO President Phan Anh Son briefed the delegation on Vietnam's development over the past nearly four decades of reform, highlighting the Party and State's foreign policy and the current state of Vietnam-US relations.
He also introduced VUFO, its member organizations, and the extensive people-to-people diplomatic activities it leads between Vietnam and the US, as well as Vietnam's policies and laws regarding religious practices in the country.
Pastor Bob Roberts expressed his joy at being back in Vietnam and his appreciation for the country's ongoing efforts to ensure religious freedom.
Bob Roberts observed that Vietnam has made great achievements in many aspects and fields, including achievements in ensuring freedom of belief and religion and constantly improving the legal system on belief and religion.
Pastor Bob Roberts emphasized that religious freedom should be guaranteed everywhere. He expressed his hope that the delegation's visit would help members learn about policies and laws related to religion, as well as gain and share experience on models of religious practice in Vietnam.
According to the guests, MTC annually sends volunteers to countries around the world to engage in social volunteer activities and support the religious activities of the Church in the host countries.
With the approval of the Vietnamese government's Committee on Religious Affairs, the LDS sends 1 to 2 groups of volunteers each year to support Church activities in its two congregations in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City. This year, MTC sent 14 young volunteers to Vietnam in late October for a two-year volunteer mission.
During their stay, the delegation immersed themselves in Hanoi's rich culinary scene and enjoyed local delicacies with VUFO's young staff. They also visited the Bat Trang pottery village, experiencing Vietnam's traditional culture and fostering meaningful people-to-people exchanges.
The visit of the MTC volunteer delegation was an initiative of VUFO following their visit to MTC in Utah, USA, as part of their working trip to attend the International Law and Religion Symposium hosted by Brigham Young University (BYU) in Provo City, Utah, October 5-11.
