(ANS – Rome) – The Rector Major of the Salesians of Don Bosco, Fr Fabio Attard, with the consent of the other members of the General Council, appointed Fr Thomas Vu Kim Long, SDB, as the first Superior of the newly established “Our Lady of La Vang” Vice Province (Northern Vietnam) for the six-year term 2026–2032 during the session held on 10 July 2026.

Fr Thomas Vu Kim Long, born in Hung Yen on 27 March 1954, entered the “Don Bosco” Minor Seminary in Thu Duc in 1965. After his novitiate at Tram Hanh (Da Lat), he made his First Profession on 19 August 1973 in Thu Duc.

He spent his post-novitiate in Da Lat (1973–1975) and completed his theological studies at Duc Huy. He made his Perpetual Vows on 6 August 1979 at Duc Huy. He was ordained a deacon on 25 June 1993 at Xuan Hiep and a priest on 30 May 1994 at Vinh Long.

During his Salesian ministry, he has held numerous positions of responsibility. He served as Rector at Duc Huy (1994–1999) and at Hoc Mon (1999–2001), then as Parish Priest at Duc Huy (2002–2006). He served as Rector of the Pre-novitiate at Cau Bong (2006–2009) and of the ‘Don Rua’ Post-novitiate in Da Lat (2009–2015 and again 2021–2024). He was also Rector at Dong Thuan (2015–2021).

At Province level, he served as Provincial Councillor for Youth Ministry (1996–2002), Councillor for the Salesian Family (2002–2008), Vice Provincial (2008–2015) and Provincial Councillor for the Missions (2015–2017; 2021–2024). He is currently Provincial Delegate for the ‘Our Lady of La Vang’ Delegation (2024–2027).

For many years, the Salesian mission in North Vietnam has operated as a delegation of the Vietnam Province. Following the Extraordinary Visitation conducted by the former General Councillor for Missions, Fr Alfred Maravilla, and upon the recommendation of the former Rector Major, Cardinal Ángel Fernández Artime, the General Council formally established the Delegation as a Vice Province during its April 2026 session. After a process of consultation carried out by Fr William Matthews, General Councillor for East Asia-Oceania, on 10 July 2026, the Rector Major appointed Fr Toma Vu Kim Long as the first Provincial Superior of this new Vice Province.

In announcing the appointment to the confreres in Vietnam, the General Councillor for the East Asia–Oceania Region, Fr William Matthews, expressed his congratulations and gratitude to Fr Long for the humility and willingness with which he has accepted this responsibility. He also invited all the confreres to accompany him with fraternal support and prayer, so that he may faithfully and generously carry out the important mission of guiding, governing and animating the new “Our Lady of La Vang” Vice Province, in service to the Congregation and the Church.

In announcing the appointment, sincere gratitude was also expressed to the confreres who took part in the consultation, emphasising the value of shared responsibility and communion in the life of the Congregation.

The Rector Major and the General Council extend their best wishes and blessings to the new leader of the Vice Province, invoking the intercession of Mary Help of Christians, that she may accompany the journey of the Salesians of Northern Vietnam in their service to the Church and to young people, especially the poorest.