The grand prayer ceremony for national peace and prosperity. — VNA/VNS Photos

HÀ NỘI — In the early morning on July 1, nearly 1,000 monks and Buddhist followers gathered at the Việt Nam Buddhist Academy in Hà Nội for a solemn prayer ceremony marking a major milestone in the country’s administrative history, the official rollout of the two-tier local government model.

The event was part of a nationwide observance celebrating the transition, which reduced the number of provinces and centrally-run cities to 34, and restructured the country into 3,321 communes and wards.

Monks and lay followers join in a candle-lighting ritual to pray for the country’s peace and well-being.

To honour the moment, the Việt Nam Buddhist Sangha called on 18,491 pagodas across the country to ring bells and drums in unison at 6am, offering prayers for peace, prosperity and national unity.

Most Venerable Thích Thanh Quyết, Vice Chairman of the Sangha’s Executive Council and Director of the Buddhist Academy, called the new governance model a rare and historic transformation, a sweeping reform of the nation’s administrative apparatus carried out in the interests of the country and its people.

“This is a sacred moment,” he said. “Across towns and villages, red flags are flying high, and the people are filled with joy as the country embarks on this new chapter. The Buddhist community is proud to support the Party and State’s historic decisions.”

Nuns quietly light candles as part of the nationwide prayer for peace and unity.

The Most Venerable confirmed that monks, nuns and Buddhist followers will continue standing alongside Government authorities in promoting unity, encouraging public support for new policies and helping strengthen the bond between the people, the Party and the State.

Monk Thích Tuệ Thanh said the merger of administrative units goes beyond policy, as names may change but cultural identity and personal memories endure.

In the first day of operation under the new model, the Sangha’s Executive Council urged Buddhist institutions nationwide to perform three ceremonial drum and bell chimes, chant scriptures and hold rituals to invoke peace and harmony. — VNS