A year of many impressions

As a multi-religious country with 27 million followers, accounting for 27% of the country's population, Vietnam always pays special attention to ensuring freedom of belief and religion for its people.

The year 2023 can be said to have many outstanding marks in the field of religion, creating a premise for beliefs and religions to develop, while enhancing the prestige of the Party and State among the masses.

White Paper 'Religion and Religious Policy in Vietnam'. (Photo: Vinh Ha)

Marks of 2023

With the attention and direction of the Party and State, the work of ensuring freedom of belief and religion in 2023 has achieved many steps forward, from legislative work, executive work and religious diplomacy.

First, perfecting the legal system, creating a legal basis to protect freedom of belief and religion. After Decree No. 162 revealed a number of shortcomings and problems, especially the lack of specific measures to effectively implement the Law on Belief and Religion, on December 29, 2023, Vietnam issued Decree No. 95/2023/ND-CP stipulating a number of articles and measures to implement the Law on Belief and Religion (Decree 95) replacing Decree 162.

In particular, it has resolved practical difficulties that people and believers encounter such as the issue of religious land ownership; religious activities for those under management and detention at management and detention facilities; ensured and created favorable legal conditions for competent state agencies and concentrated religious groups of foreigners; activities of religious organizations and establishments, especially the issue of religious activities in cyberspace...

Second , promote propaganda and dissemination of the Party's guidelines and the State's policies and laws on beliefs and religions. Notably, Vietnam has published the White Book "Religion and Religious Policy in Vietnam" in Vietnamese and English.

The White Book not only provides information on policies and achievements in ensuring freedom of belief and religion in Vietnam, but also affirms that all religions are equal before the law and that the State does not discriminate on the basis of belief or religion: "No individual or religious organization operating in accordance with the law is prohibited."

In addition, other propaganda activities were also promoted to raise awareness and sense of law compliance among religious people, and to strengthen the trust of religious dignitaries and followers in the Party and the State. 12 conferences on propaganda and dissemination of laws on beliefs and religions for 3,420 delegates who are dignitaries, officials, monks, nuns, followers of religions, representatives, and management boards of religious establishments; 3 conferences on training in information and propaganda skills for 750 delegates who are religious dignitaries and officials in localities were held nationwide.

Third, religious organizations are provided with all conditions to operate in accordance with the Charter, Statutes and legal regulations. The State always pays attention to and creates conditions for religious activities and religious activities of all religions to take place normally. In particular, important religious holidays are organized on a large scale, attracting a large number of followers.

In 2023, the Ministry of Home Affairs issued a decision to recognize two religious organizations (Ta Lon Hieu Nghia Buddhism, Vietnam Full Gospel Church), and a decision to approve the proposal to establish the Vietnam Baptist Theological Institute.

As of December 2023, the State has recognized 38 religious organizations, granted religious activity registration to 2 organizations and 1 religious practice belonging to 16 religions. To meet the religious practice needs of the people, in 2023, the Religious Publishing House issued over 690 publishing decisions, with over 2,400,000 printed copies. Many religious scriptures have been published in English, French, and ethnic languages.

Fourth, the international relations activities of religious organizations are interested and facilitated, contributing to affirming Vietnam's policies and guidelines on ensuring religious freedom to international friends . In 2023, more than 300 religious dignitaries, officials, and monks participated in conferences, seminars, and religious training courses abroad; nearly 400 foreigners entered Vietnam to conduct religious activities.

Religious organizations are facilitated to host and organize major international religious events: The Catholic Church of Vietnam hosts the 2023 Conference of the Federation of Asian Bishops' Conferences; the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha hosts the Conference of the Secretariat of the Asian Buddhist Forum for Peace; the Conference of Buddhist Leaders of the three countries Vietnam - Laos - Cambodia; and the Protestant Churches of Vietnam organize the "Spring of Love" Festival.

Fifth, Vietnam-Vatican relations took a historic step forward when the Vatican officially had a permanent representative in Vietnam. This result stemmed from the efforts of both sides and the visit to the Holy See by President Vo Van Thuong in July 2023.

Pope Francis acknowledged the contributions of dignitaries, laity and the Catholic Church in Vietnam to serve the nation and the development of society; expressed his view that the relationship between Vietnam and the Holy See “ has progressed and will continue to progress, thanks to the recognition of similarities and respect for differences ”, thereby “ being able to seek together the best path to serve the good of the Vietnamese people and the Church ”.

It is expected that in 2024, the Pope will visit Vietnam, strengthening the developing relationship between the two sides.

President Vo Van Thuong, Pope Francis and delegates during their visit to the Vatican, July 27, 2023. (Photo: Nguyen Hong)

Action 2024

In 2024, the socio-political situation is stable, but the economy continues to face more and more difficulties and challenges: new religious phenomena, "evil religions", "strange religions" continue to attract participants; cross-border proselytizing activities, via the Internet..., causing many difficulties for state management, potentially complicating security and order; hostile and reactionary forces continue to take advantage of religion to sabotage our Party and State...

To further improve the effectiveness of ensuring and realizing freedom of belief and religion in the current conditions of building a rule-of-law state and international integration, it is necessary to synchronously implement the following solutions:

Firstly , continue to build, perfect institutions and concretize the Party's policies on beliefs and religions, creating consistency and effectiveness in the legal system on beliefs and religions. Amendments and supplements need to be consistent between ministries and branches with the provisions of the Law on Belief and Religion to create conditions for religious organizations to participate in social activities and contribute resources to the construction and development of the country.

Pope Francis acknowledged the contributions of dignitaries, laity and the Catholic Church in Vietnam to serve the nation and the development of society, expressing his view that the relationship between Vietnam and the Holy See “has progressed and will continue to progress, thanks to the recognition of similarities and respect for differences”, through which “we can together seek the best path to serve the good of the Vietnamese people and the Church”.

Second , strengthen the dissemination and education of knowledge, laws and implementation of freedom of belief and religion by law enforcement agencies, dignitaries, officials, monks, nuns, believers and the masses to better ensure the freedom of belief and religion of all people. Proactively carry out foreign information work; continue to guide and facilitate domestic religious organizations to participate in international conferences and seminars on religion abroad, and host religious events in the country.

The Vietnam Bishops' Conference will host the Federation of Asian Bishops' Conferences (FABC) Conference with the theme "50 years of FABC: Reviewing documents and applying" in Ba Ria-Vung Tau province from June 5-10, 2023. In the photo: Deputy Minister of Home Affairs Vu Chien Thang speaking. (Source: Nhan Dan Newspaper)

Third, continue to innovate and improve the effectiveness and efficiency of state management of beliefs and religions. Pay attention to guiding and creating conditions for religious organizations to operate according to their charters, regulations and laws; proactively resolve the legitimate religious needs of believers and arising incidents; proactively prevent and resolutely combat acts of taking advantage of beliefs and religions to divide and sabotage the great national unity and religious unity.

Fourth , promote administrative reform and the application of information technology, digitalization in the field of beliefs and religions in the spirit of building e-Government and digital government to improve the effectiveness of state management of belief and religious activities.

Fifth , continue to improve the effectiveness of religious diplomacy, proactively contact and meet with countries and organizations interested in religious issues in Vietnam to exchange and provide official and complete information, and at the same time refute false information about the situation of religious freedom and belief in Vietnam.

Source: https://baoquocte.vn/bao-dam-quyen-tu-do-tin-nguong-ton-giao-mot-nam-nhieu-dau-an-261440.html