On the morning of January 25, Chairman of the Ho Chi Minh City People's Committee Phan Van Mai and the delegation of the City Party Committee, People's Council, People's Committee, and Vietnam Fatherland Front Committee of Ho Chi Minh City visited and wished the nation a happy traditional New Year at the Archbishop's Palace of the Ho Chi Minh City Archdiocese and Archbishop Joseph Nguyen Nang, Chairman of the Vietnam Bishops' Council, Archbishop of the Ho Chi Minh City Archdiocese.

On the occasion of the upcoming Lunar New Year 2024, Chairman of Ho Chi Minh City People's Committee Phan Van Mai sent his best wishes to Archbishop Joseph Nguyen Nang, dignitaries, priests and parishioners for a lucky new year, favorable and successful work.

Mr. Phan Van Mai said that in 2023, Ho Chi Minh City faced many difficulties, but the government made efforts with the consensus of the people, including the contribution of Catholics, to help the socio-economic development achieve many results in many fields.

The Chairman of the Ho Chi Minh City People's Committee acknowledged that there is sharing, connection, and understanding of each other's work between the city government and the Archdiocese to create conditions, support, and bring about many good results.

The head of the Ho Chi Minh City government hopes that in 2024, this relationship will continue to be closer, always showing mutual respect to develop the city together.

In response, Archbishop Giuse Nguyen Nang thanked the delegation and Chairman of the Ho Chi Minh City People's Committee Phan Van Mai for their sincerity in visiting and wishing the Ho Chi Minh City Archdiocese a Happy New Year on the occasion of the nation's traditional New Year.

Archbishop Joseph Nguyen Nang expressed his joy at the achievements that Ho Chi Minh City achieved in 2023 despite many unexpected difficulties, and hoped that this year the city would continue to move forward and achieve new victories.

On the church side, the President of the Vietnam Bishops' Conference shared that the Catholic community continues to be enthusiastic in its work and participate in specific activities, focusing on the topic of environmental protection in 2024. Currently, parishes are participating and responding to the classification of waste at source and will persevere with this work.

Archbishop Joseph Nguyen Nang also expressed concern that Ho Chi Minh City's economy has developed and achieved many successes, but cultural and ethical issues still have many concerns.

"Catholics can participate and collaborate in preserving and promoting culture and morality, especially among young people, so that the city in particular and the country in general can develop comprehensively," Archbishop Giuse Nguyen Nang added.