Buddhist Humanitarian Support During The COVID-19 Pandemic In Ho Chi Minh City: Reflections On The Civic Compassion Of Saigonese Communities

Authors

  • Duong Hoang Loc (Ph.D) Author

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.64252/g05tmx65

Keywords:

Buddhism, COVID-19, Ho Chi Minh City, community support, humanitarian values, religion and society.

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic, as an unprecedented global health and social crisis, profoundly affected economies and societies worldwide. In Vietnam, particularly in Ho Chi Minh City, the epicenter of the fourth wave in 2021, the pandemic presented immense challenges to public health, social welfare, and communal cohesion. Within this context, Buddhism emerged not only as a spiritual force but also as a key socio-religious institution offering practical humanitarian support. This study examines the multifaceted role of the Buddhist community in Ho Chi Minh City during the pandemic, focusing on four primary areas of engagement: (1) distributing food and essential supplies; (2) providing financial aid and gifts to vulnerable populations, including the elderly, pregnant women, and orphans; (3) contributing to the National Vaccine Fund and donating medicines and medical equipment; and (4) offering coffins and managing funeral services for COVID-19 victims. Drawing on a sociological approach to religion, the study argues that these contributions extended beyond immediate material relief, embodying and reinforcing the values of compassion, empathy, and civic responsibility among Saigonese citizens. These efforts reflect a distinct urban cultural response to crisis and underscore the enduring and constructive role of religion in promoting resilient, humane, and adaptive urban development in the face of non-traditional security threats.

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Published

2025-07-02

Issue

Section

Articles

How to Cite

Buddhist Humanitarian Support During The COVID-19 Pandemic In Ho Chi Minh City: Reflections On The Civic Compassion Of Saigonese Communities. (2025). International Journal of Environmental Sciences, 75-84. https://doi.org/10.64252/g05tmx65