Final point: Eliminate them from society as soon as possible!

(Baonghean)In reality, the "Hoang Thien Long sect," also known as the "Ho Chi Minh Spiritual Sect" or "Uncle Ho Sect," founded by Nguyen Thi Dien in Hong Quang commune, Ung Hoa district (Hanoi), is a cult operating illegally. The essence of this cult is to exploit the leader's prestige as a cover to lure people, especially those in difficult circumstances or suffering from illness, for the benefit of the "leader" and her associates. The activities of this cult not only violate Vietnamese morality but also contradict the Party's policies and the laws of the State.

Many people wonder what enabled a woman who worked in agriculture and had previously engaged in various business ventures to create a cult that spread rapidly across the country, captivating many people from diverse social backgrounds. In our opinion, there are three fundamental reasons for this phenomenon.

People from Nghe An line up to enter Dai Phuc Phuc Temple.

Firstly, and most importantly, Nguyen Thi Dien exploited the leader's prestige as a cover for her illegal activities in her role as a "religious leader." That's why, at the grand, multi-tiered "Hoang Thien Long Temple," the "religious leader" placed statues and images of the leader between two flags modeled after the Party flag and the national flag. Because of this, many "followers," including veterans, youth volunteers, and even cadres, Party members, and civil servants, felt they were following a religion that was in line with the times and the regime.

That's how it is at the shrine, but in the homes of believers, every family arranges their altars similarly. There's the same picture of Uncle Ho placed between two imitation flags of the Party and the national flag, and the same incense burner symbolizing everything: the origins of the nation, the leader, the ancestors, and the martyrs all united under one banner. This bizarre altar, contrary to Vietnamese customs and traditions, has caused discord in many families. In one family in Hoa Thanh commune (Yen Thanh district), because the "head" of the family set up such an altar and threw the incense burners and ancestral worship items into the river, the younger brothers refused to perform rituals on death anniversaries and Tet (Lunar New Year). This led to resentment and conflict among the brothers. In Nam Thanh commune (Yen Thanh district), Mr. Nguyen Duy Chau insisted that we not take pictures, because the fact that he abandoned his faith after his mother nearly died due to a delay in receiving medical care was true, but the "head" of the family still followed the faith, and if it were published in the newspaper, it would only create more conflict. According to some active followers acting as "leaders" in Tan Ky, Thanh Chuong, and Vinh City, arguments between spouses and siblings over replacing altars or holding funeral ceremonies for relatives are very common. Yet, they console themselves with the thought that these are also challenges on the path of practicing their faith at home.

This type of altar displaying portraits of leaders and imitation flags has become an even greater "challenge" for local authorities. Mr. Tran Thuong Hoang, Secretary of the Party Committee of Trung Thanh commune (Yen Thanh district), said that the commune knows this is a cult and the harm it causes is significant in the area, but using administrative measures is not feasible. Because touching an altar with portraits of leaders is a "sensitive" issue.

Dai Son Lam, owned by Nguyen Thi Dien, is located in Bai Rong village, Thuong Tien commune, Kim Boi district, Hoa Binh province.

Secondly, Ms. Nguyen Thi Dien exploited the "desperate measures" mentality of those suffering from illness and difficult circumstances to bewitch, lure, and entice them into the "heretical sect" she established. This tactic isn't new, but because of illness, many people feel compelled to seek help from all directions, and the Hoang Thien Long heretical sect thoroughly exploited this mentality. Seeing us looking for a place to cure "Mother," the followers vied with each other to tell stories about their own illnesses and those of their relatives, how serious they were before, how much better they are now, and some even claimed complete recovery. Mr. Lieu from Dung Town (Thanh Chuong) told us about a case of "cancer" that was cured, let alone other diseases. It's possible that some of them were truly cured. According to medical science, the human body constantly produces immune substances, so many illnesses are cured or improved without medication or even with just plain water, as the followers of this heretical sect do, which isn't mysterious or difficult to understand. Therefore, only by going to Hong Quang commune, Ung Hoa district, and witnessing thousands of people from provinces in the South and North flocking to "Hoang Thien Long Temple," many of whom are women, elderly people, and those suffering from various illnesses, can one truly understand the heartlessness of "the leader" Nguyen Thi Dien.

Thirdly, it is certain that behind the "leader" Hoang Thien Long there is a team of "advisors" plotting and directing to lure people into her bizarre religious maze. Furthermore, using the tactic of "those who go first bring others along," this cult operates like a "multi-level marketing" scheme, with a team of followers intentionally or unintentionally acting as "pawns" for the "leader" Nguyen Thi Dien.

Just look at the "religious texts" and "national news updates on the underworld" displayed in front of the "shrine," the clips and websites this cult posts online, and the scenes of local "leaders" busily going about their work, from collecting money to urging people to do this and that—it's clear that this cult's "leader" has a fairly large army of assistants. It would be hard to believe that these people aren't paid by the "leader"!

The Party and State of Vietnam have consistently maintained a policy of freedom of religion for the people, creating favorable conditions for people to practice their faith. However, many individuals, including Ms. Nguyen Thi Dien – the "leader" of the Hoang Thien Long cult – have exploited this policy to propagate their heretical doctrine, affecting social order, national unity, and the nation's fine cultural traditions. Clearly, the Hoang Thien Long cult has violated Article 15 of the Ordinance on Religion and Beliefs No. 21/2004 of the Standing Committee and related articles stipulated in Government Decree No. 92/2012 detailing and implementing the Ordinance on Religion and Beliefs.

Therefore, alongside efforts to discourage the Hoang Thien Long cult, relevant departments, Party committees, and authorities at all levels in provinces and cities where the Hoang Thien Long cult operates need to take administrative measures against those who propagate and entice people to join this cult. It can be affirmed that the act of founding and spreading this cult for illicit gain by Ms. Nguyen Thi Dien (in Hong Quang commune, Ung Hoa district, Hanoi) is an illegal act of proselytizing and must be dealt with according to the law.

In Nghe An province, there are currently no fewer than 600 households with nearly 2,000 "followers" concentrated in localities such as Vinh City, Yen Thanh, Tan Ky, Thanh Chuong, and some other districts and towns. The activities of these followers are led by individuals we temporarily call "leaders," such as Ms. Thuy residing in Trung Thanh commune (Yen Thanh district) – who represents "cult leader" Dien in Nghe An and Yen Thanh; Ms. Nguyet in Hung Loc commune, Vinh City; Mr. Lieu in Dung town (Thanh Chuong district); and Mr. Hung in Lat town (Tan Ky district). These individuals also need to be dealt with administratively if they do not voluntarily relinquish their role as "aides" to Ms. Dien.

To conclude this series of articles on the Hoang Thien Long cult, we would like to quote the Secretary of the Party Committee of Trung Thanh commune: “We at the grassroots level and the people in the area are very upset about this cult. But we have only carried out propaganda, mobilization, and persuasion so far: We urgently need guidance and direction from higher levels and support from relevant agencies!”

Text and photos: Nhat Lan - Viet Long