Religious dignitaries trained in defence, security

The three-day course will cover six topics on defence and security matters, as well as the legal framework surrounding beliefs and religions. It is designed to help participants stay alert to schemes by hostile forces as well as to ensure that the practice of religion is in line with the law and contributes to national defence and socio-economic development.

Speaking on the opening day of the course, Major General Ngo Minh Tien, Deputy Chief of the General Staff of the Vietnam People’s Army, said that the entire nation, including religious dignitaries and leaders, has an important role to play in keeping national independence and territorial sovereignty amid complex and rapid changes taking place in the region and in the world.

The Party and State will always pay close attention to security and defence education in order to encourage patriotism and pride in the country’s defence systems, he stated.

Vietnam is home to 15 religions, with 41 religious organisations licensed to operate. They attract 24 million followers, or 27% of the population.

To date, there have been over 250,000 religious dignitaries and leaders attending courses on defence and security knowledge.   

The Fifth Military Region consists of seven south central coastal localities – namely Da Nang, Quang Nam, Quang Ngai, Binh Dinh, Phu Yen, Khanh Hoa, and Ninh Thuan – and four Central Highlands provinces of Gia Lai, Kon Tum, Dak Lak, and Dak Nong.