Vietnam ensures the implementation of freedom of belief and religion.
In Vietnam, the Law on Belief and Religion is one of the important legal reforms to fully specify the content and spirit of the 2013 Constitution on one of the important human rights.
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| Hanoi Cathedral on Christmas Eve, December 24. (Photo: Minh Son/Vietnam+) |
In Vietnam, the Law on Belief and Religion is one of the important legal reforms to fully specify the content and spirit of the 2013 Constitution on one of the most important and fundamental human rights, including specifying the limits of the right to belief and religion and enhancing the responsibility to ensure the implementation of everyone's right to freedom of belief and religion.
Continuously improve laws and policies on beliefs and religions
Vietnam is a multi-religious and multi-faith country, with about 95% of the population having a belief or religion. The guarantee of freedom of belief and religion is affirmed in the 2013 Constitution.
In particular, the passage of the 2016 Law on Belief and Religion and two Decrees implementing the Law on Belief and Religion have created a solid legal framework to better ensure freedom of belief and religion for the people.
The 2016 Law on Belief and Religion for the first time confirmed that religious organizations are non-commercial legal entities; reduced the time for stable and continuous religious activities to recognize a religious organization from 23 years to 5 years; adjusted many procedures from registration-licensing, request-approval to notification form (notification of ordained, elected, transferred, dismissed dignitaries, activities of religious training facilities...); adjusted the authority to approve major activities of religious organizations to help streamline administrative procedures. In addition, the 2015 Penal Code stipulates penalties for the crime of "Infringing upon the freedom of belief and religion of others".
According to Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Le Thi Thu Hang, Vietnam has made continuous efforts to improve its legal system and policies on beliefs and religions, especially the adoption of the Law on Belief and Religion and the Decrees guiding the implementation of this law. People's religious activities are guaranteed with thousands of festivals and religious activities every year.
Religions in Vietnam live in harmony within the community of Vietnamese ethnic groups. Currently, 42 organizations belonging to 15 religions are recognized as legal entities. In 2016, the Representative Committee of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Mormon) was recognized and the Hieu Nghia Ta Lon Buddhist Association was granted a certificate of registration for religious activities.
In August 2018, the Vietnam Full Gospel Church was granted a registration to operate. Two Protestant organizations are being guided in completing their registration documents. In addition, thousands of Protestant groups are guaranteed religious activities at legal locations.
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| Buddha's birthday celebration, Buddhist calendar 2562 - solar calendar 2018 at Vien Quang pagoda, Chau Doc city, An Giang province. (Photo: Cong Mao/VNA) |
Facilitate the operation of religious organizations
As of 2017, the total land area used by religious establishments was 14,850 hectares, belonging to 7,102 religious organizations and establishments. Ho Chi Minh City has assigned 7,500 square meters to the Vietnam Evangelical Church Confederation (South) to build the Institute of Bible and Theology, Thua Thien-Hue province assigned 20 hectares of land to the Vietnam Buddhist Academy in Hue for use... Religious organizations actively participate in social activities, establishing over 450 medical facilities, 270 kindergartens, 1,000 kindergarten groups and classes; supporting the care of 11,800 social protection beneficiaries.
The State facilitates religious organizations to print and distribute scriptures and religious supplies. Since the previous review, more than 3,000 religious publications have been published with more than 10 million copies and millions of CDs and DVDs in many languages, 12 newspapers and magazines related to religion. Most religious organizations have their own websites. International exchange and cooperation activities of individuals and religious organizations are increasingly developing. Many major international religious activities are held in Vietnam such as the 2014 Vesak Festival and the 500th anniversary of the Protestant Reformation in 2017.
The freedom of religion and belief of ethnic minorities is guaranteed. With the support of the State, the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha has implemented the construction of the Khmer Theravada Buddhist Academy in Can Tho city (2017).
In the Central Highlands and Binh Phuoc provinces, 33 Protestant organizations, sects and groups are operating in 304 branches and more than 1,300 group points. As of June 30, 2018, in the Northwest, 693 Protestant groups and eight grassroots churches have been established. In addition, localities also have many registered groups of ethnic minorities such as the Vietnam Baptist Fellowship, the Lutheran Church, the Vietnam Evangelical Missionary Federation and the Vietnam Evangelical Church... The State also supports and restores religious facilities for the Cham people.
With the motto and actions of the Government in 2019 being: "Discipline, integrity, action, creativity, breakthrough, efficiency" and from the requirements and tasks of state management of beliefs and religions, Deputy Prime Minister Truong Hoa Binh requested the State Management of beliefs and religions sector to innovate and improve the quality of propaganda and dissemination of laws on beliefs and religions; improve the quality of implementation of religious professional work in the new situation.
The sector actively coordinates and unifies ministries, sectors and localities in advising and proposing the Government to direct the resolution of complex religious issues. Strengthening religious diplomacy, proactively guiding religious organizations to participate in world and regional religious forum mechanisms in accordance with the diplomatic policies of the Party and State./.
