Vietnamese and Lao delegates performed the groundbreaking ceremony for the Phật Tích Pagoda in Vientiane. — VNA/VNS Photo Phạm Kiên

VIENTIANE — Work started on the upgrade of Phật Tích Pagoda, a Vietnamese Buddhist pagoda in the Lao capital of Vientiane, on Friday.

The project, which has an estimated cost of US$1.1 million, aims to improve the facilities at the pagoda, meeting religious needs of local Vietnamese and Lao Buddhist communities.

Addressing the groundbreaking ceremony, Vietnamese Ambassador to Laos Nguyễn Bá Hùng said that for many years, Phật Tích Pagoda has been not only a place of religious activities of Buddhist monks and nuns, but also one of the venues for cultural, educational and religious activities of the Vietnamese community in Laos, promoting their unity.

The Ambassador emphasised that the embellishment of the pagoda will encourage monks, nuns, Buddhist followers, and members of the Vietnamese community in Laos to continue to promote the compassion and charity spirit of Buddhism, making a substantive contribution to the special friendship between the Parties and people of Việt Nam and Laos.

Vice President of the Lao Front for National Development Chanpheng Southivong spoke highly of the Vietnamese community in Laos in general and Phật Tích Pagoda in particular for their active participation in various movements launched by the Party, the State and the Lao Front for National Construction such as assisting flood victims in Attapeu province and supporting poverty reduction for people in financial difficulties. — VNS