From February 17-25, 2017 at the Durando Institute of philosophy, Da Lat- Vietnam took place the annual meeting of the provincials of the Congregation of the Mission of the Asia Pacific region (Asia Pacific Visitor’s Conference, APVC). This is the first time this conference was held in Vietnam. So this event is a great honor and responsibility to the Vietnam Vice-Province.

Joining the conference were the provincials or delegates from the provinces: Northern and Southern Indian, the Philippines, Vietnam, Taiwan, Papua new Guinea, Solomon Islands, Indonesia and Australia, because of unexpected illness, the provincial could not attend the conference. Also attending were Father Mathew Kallammakal, Assistant general of Superior-general and Father Peter Reedy, director of the Culture and Charism Committee (CCC). Father Antoine Nguyen Ngoc Son spoke to the conference with the theme: Vietnam Catholic Church and The New Evangelization.

In the days of the conference, the provincials would work on the issue that was raised at the 2016 conference and with new themes such as: Report of the Asia Pacific Visitors’ Conference 2016 & Clarification, Discussion on Culture and Charism Committee programs and activities (Fr. Peter Reedy, Chairman & member of CCC), Lines of Action & Commitment of APVC in the General Assembly, the 400th anniversary of the charism, etc…

Besides the conference, we also spent time listening to a report on a mission in the Solomon Islands, Papua new Guinea and missionary commitment of these regions.

On the occasion of this visit to Vietnam, the provincials visited the Houses of Vietnam: Saigon Theology community, Tuc Trung house and Internal Seminary, Vice- province community – Dalat House, the Mission area Kađon-Proh- Lam Dong province. And after the closing of the conference, we attended a thanksgiving Mass and inaugurated the Durando Institute of Philosophy on Friday, February 24 with the owner of Bishop Anthony Vu ​​Huy Chuong, Bishop of Diocese of Dalat. Joy mirrored for Vietnam vice-province when these two events occur at the same time and especially during the 400th anniversary year of Vincentian charism.

The one thing that made the provincials surprised and glad, was on the side of abundant vocations of Vietnam vice-province with more than 40 students of theology, 12 novices, 60 philosophy students and 30 postulants. Truly this is God’s gift for Vietnam vice-province in particular, the mission field in Asia Pacific region and to the entire Congregation.