Hầu A Lềnh, vice chairman of the Vietnamese Fatherland Front’s Central Committee, rings the bell at the opening ceremony of the pagoda. — VNA/VNS Photo |
BUDAPEST — The first pagoda built by the Vietnamese community in Budapest, Hungary, has just been officially recognised by the Hungarian government.
The pagoda, Đại Bi, is located in the town of Simontornya, 140km south of Budapest. It has been built over the past three years, sponsored by the Việt Nam-Hungary Relationship Foundation. It bears the typical features of Vietnamese pagoda architecture. The pagoda will from now on host spiritual activities for the Vietnamese community in the locality.
Addressing the opening ceremony at the pagoda, Hầu A Lềnh, vice chairman of the Vietnamese Fatherland Front’s Central Committee, appreciated the Hungarian government’s and the city’s support for the Vietnamese community in building the pagoda.
He expressed his appreciation at the friendship and development among the Vietnamese community in Hungary.
“I believe that the pagoda will be a place to connect Vietnamese people living in Hungary and Europe to preserve and develop their identity and culture,” he said.
He sent his regards to 5,000 Vietnamese people residing in Hungary.
Csoszne Kazc Edit, Mayor of Simontornya, said she highly appreciated the contributions by Phan Bích Thiện, chairwoman of the Việt Nam-Hungary Relationship Foundation, toward building the pagoda as well as her effective contributions to the development of the city.
She confirmed she would continue facilitating the Vietnamese community in daily life and preserving their national identity in Europe. — VNS