About 70% of the population call themselves Buddhist or are influenced by it. It is a mix of Confucian and Taoist philosophies. Arrived in the 2nd century by the north of Central Asia and the roads of southern India, it became the official religion in the 14th century, under the Tran dynasty. The major Buddhist branch of Vietnam is the Mahayana. Its fundamental concepts are karma and reincarnation. The practice of meditation to free oneself from suffering is not common in Vietnam. On the other hand, the help of the Buddhas given by the songs of the sutras is essential to reach Nirvana.