World largest jade statue of Buddha to be made in Vietnam

50 Vietnamese artisans will carve the world’s largest statue of Buddha at a weight of 16 tonnes from a 35-tonne jade block measuring 3m tall, 2.15m wide and 2.2m deep.
An opening ceremony for the project was held by the Than Chau Ngoc Viet Gemstone and Jewelry Company in the northern province of Hai Duong on January 18 in the presence of State President Nguyen Minh Triet, officials of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha and representatives of Indian Buddhism.
Addressing the ceremony, President Triet thanked the family of Dao Trong Cuong, who owned the Than Chau Ngoc Viet company, for their effort in obtaining this giant jade block from Myanmar.
The State president expressed his wish that the statue will serve religious practices not only in Vietnam but also all over the world.
When it is completed in two years’ time, the sculpture will be registered for the Guinness Records.