Sri Lankan President visits Bai Dinh Pagoda in Ninh Binh province

President Dissanayaka and his delegation were welcomed by member of the Party Central Committee and Secretary of the provincial Party Committee Doan Minh Huan; Vice Secretary of the provincial Party Committee and Chairman of the provincial People’s Committee Pham Quang Ngoc; Most Venerable Thich Thanh Nhieu, Standing Vice President of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha's Executive Council and head of Bai Dinh Pagoda; Venerable Thich Duc Thien, Vice President and General Secretary of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha's Executive Council, and Vice Chairman and General Secretary of the Vesak 2025 Organising Committee, among others.

At the pagoda, the Sri Lankan President attended the inauguration and incense-offering ceremony at the Bodhi Tree Garden, planted a commemorative tree, and offered prayers at the Hall of the Buddhas of the Three Times.

Welcoming the President, Most Venerable Thich Thanh Nhieu highlighted the longstanding ties between the Buddhist communities of Vietnam and Sri Lanka. He also expressed his delight at hosting the President ahead of the 20th UN Day of Vesak Celebrations, to be held in Ho Chi Minh City from May 4 to 6.

Marking the 55th anniversary of diplomatic ties between Vietnam and Sri Lanka, 2025 offers a valuable opportunity to deepen their Buddhist exchanges, said Most Venerable Thich Thanh Nhieu, saying he hopes the friendship between the two countries will grow further to benefit their peoples.

President Dissanayaka thanked the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha for inviting him to the Vesak celebrations and stressed the long-standing ties between the two countries, including their Buddhism-based cultural similarities.

He noted Bai Dinh Pagoda’s cultural and spiritual significance, along with its location in the Trang An Landscape Complex – a UNESCO-recognised world cultural and natural heritage site.

The Sri Lankand President expressed his hope that the visit will help further strengthen bilateral ties and there will be more opportunities for cultural exchanges in the time to come.