The viewpoints and policies of the Party and State of Vietnam on ensuring human rights and promoting freedom of belief and religion are consistent throughout the entire development path of the country and always meet the requirements of being suitable to the domestic and international situation in the context of globalization.
On September 2, 1945, President Ho Chi Minh solemnly read the Declaration of Independence, announcing to all the people and to the world the birth of the independent and free Democratic Republic of Vietnam. The Declaration of Independence begins with an eternal truth: "All men are created equal. They are endowed by their Creator with certain inalienable rights, among which are the right to life, the right to liberty, and the right to the pursuit of happiness." This is not only a great idea about national independence and freedom, but also a fundamental idea about human rights of President Ho Chi Minh and our Party. Freedom of belief and religion is one of the fundamental human rights, and therefore throughout the country's revolutionary history, especially during nearly 40 years of carrying out the renovation process, our Party and State have made efforts to ensure that freedom of belief and religion is respected and implemented in practice, thereby gathering and consolidating the great religious-national solidarity bloc to build and develop the country.
Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh visits and congratulates the dignitaries of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha. Photo: Duong Giang – VNA
The Communist Party of Vietnam's viewpoint on religion and belief has been clearly affirmed in many documents, especially the thematic resolutions on religion and religious work, as well as in the documents of the Party's National Congresses from 1986 to present, including Resolution No. 24-NQ/TW dated October 16, 1990 of the Politburo on Strengthening Religious Work in the New Situation; Directive No. 37-CT/TW dated July 2, 1998 of the Politburo on Religious Work in the New Situation; Documents of the 7th Central Conference of the 9th Central Executive Committee (Resolution No. 25/NQ-TW, dated March 12, 2003) on Religious Work; Directive No. 18-CT/TW dated January 10, 2018 of the Central Executive Committee on continuing to implement Resolution No. 25/NQ-TW of the 9th Central Executive Committee on Religious Work in the New Situation... On that basis, the guiding viewpoints continued to be expanded and deepened in all recent Party Congresses, especially emphasizing the significance of "promoting the cultural and ethical values of religions and great national unity", in which the document of the 13th National Congress clearly stated: "Mobilize, unite, and gather religious organizations, dignitaries, and followers to live a 'good life and good religion', actively contributing to the cause of national construction and defense. Ensure that religious organizations operate in accordance with the provisions of law and the charter and regulations recognized by the State". The Party's policies and guidelines for innovation in religious work have also been institutionalized by the State's policies and laws for implementation in practice. Many legal documents related to religion and belief have been issued, serving as a direct basis for state management of religion and belief, of which the Law on Belief and Religion, passed by the 14th National Assembly, 2nd session, on November 18, 2016, is an important milestone in the roadmap to concretize Vietnam's consistent policy on freedom of belief and religion. This is a legal document directly regulating the field of belief and religion, with the highest legal value ever in Vietnam, concretizing the spirit of the 2013 Constitution on human rights, civil rights, freedom of belief and religion of all people, while continuing to be compatible with international law in the context of Vietnam's opening up and deep international integration.
Leaders of the Government Committee for Religious Affairs presented flowers to congratulate the Executive Board of the General Assembly of the Vietnam Full Gospel Church. Photo: Anh Tuan - VNA
In fact, with the joint efforts of the entire political system in perfecting policies and laws on religion, the situation of religious life is increasingly rich and diverse. According to official statistics, by 2022, our State has recognized 43 organizations belonging to 16 different religions, with about 27.2 million followers, over 55,000 dignitaries, 148,000 officials and about 29,000 places of worship. In addition, every year there are over 8,000 festivals on beliefs and religions, with tens of thousands of followers participating; religious organizations and individuals are encouraged and facilitated to participate in social security activities, social charity, and community health care.
Along with that, Vietnamese religious organizations have organized many international events that have been highly appreciated by public opinion, such as the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha hosting the United Nations Vesak Festival three times, with the participation of over 1,000 international delegates from 120 countries and territories; the Conference of the Federation of Asian Bishops' Conferences (2023), the 100th Anniversary of Protestantism in Vietnam (2011); the "6th ASEM Interfaith Dialogue"... Positive changes in the activities of religions affirm that the policy of respecting and ensuring freedom of belief and religion of the Party and State of Vietnam has entered social life, meeting the aspirations of religious people nationwide. All of the above facts are undeniable evidence that religious work has encouraged religious people, believers, and religious dignitaries to respond and actively participate in patriotic emulation movements, build great national unity, and make positive contributions to the cause of building and defending the Fatherland in the period of renovation. Not only that, Vietnam's open and transparent religious policy also creates conditions for foreigners legally residing in Vietnam to enjoy the right to religious practice and participate in religious activities, while creating a legal corridor for domestic religious organizations to have relationships of exchange and cooperation with international religious organizations, contributing to affirming the position of Vietnamese religion in the region and the world, as well as making certain contributions to the foreign affairs of the Party and State. It can be affirmed with certainty that, after nearly 40 years of renovation, active and proactive international integration, Vietnam has made remarkable progress in ensuring and promoting the freedom of belief and religion of the people. This is vividly demonstrated in reality and has been recognized and highly appreciated by the international community. This reality is also a resolute response to the ridiculously destructive arguments of hostile and reactionary forces regarding the religious situation in Vietnam.
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