An Giang - A land where many faiths can coexist and thrive.

With its geographical location bordering Cambodia and a history shaped by the cultural exchange between the Kinh, Khmer, Hoa, and Cham ethnic groups, An Giang has become a land where many different faiths coexist and develop, strictly adhering to the law, living "good lives and virtuous conduct," contributing to the creation of a diverse and harmonious cultural identity.

Young Cham women in An Giang province wearing traditional Cham wedding attire. (Source: Thanh Nien newspaper)

An Giang is famous in the Mekong Delta not only for its fertile rice paddies, enriched by the alluvial soil from the two main rivers, the Tien and Hau rivers, but also for its rich and diverse religious life. With its geographical location bordering Cambodia and a history formed from the cultural exchange between the Kinh, Khmer, Hoa, and Cham ethnic groups, An Giang has become a land where many different faiths coexist and thrive, strictly adhering to the law, living "good lives and beautiful faiths," contributing to a diverse and harmonious cultural identity.

Diversity in religious practices

According to a report by the Department of Ethnic and Religious Affairs of An Giang province, there are currently 14 active religions in the province, with over 2.2 million followers, accounting for over 45% of the province's total population (approximately 4.95 million people); more than 1,600 religious dignitaries, 4,200 religious officials, 478 affiliated religious organizations, and 967 religious establishments. These figures reflect the richness of faith within the community and demonstrate the respect for and guarantee of freedom of belief and religion by the Party and State in the province. From Buddhism with its various branches such as the Northern School, the Mendicant Order, the Khmer Theravada, to Catholicism, Protestantism, Islam, Cao Dai, Hoa Hao Buddhism, and Tu An Hieu Nghia Buddhism, all are intertwined in the lives of the people, creating a vibrant picture of unity among ethnic groups and religions.

This diversity is closely linked to the region's historical development. An Giang is considered the birthplace of Hoa Hao Buddhism, founded by Venerable Huynh Giao Chu in 1939 in Hoa Hao village, now part of Phu Tan commune. This religion has attracted millions of followers, not only in An Giang but also spreading to many other provinces and cities, especially in the Mekong Delta. Similarly, the Cham Muslim community in An Phu, Phu Tan, Chau Phong communes, etc., has existed for centuries, with mosques becoming cultural symbols. Khmer Theravada Buddhism, closely associated with the Khmer people, is manifested through a rich system of temples such as Xa Ton, Soai So, Ta Mum, etc., which are not only places of worship but also centers for teaching the Khmer language to the younger generation.

The religious diversity in An Giang is also reflected in its integration with many aspects of social life. Religious organizations here actively participate in community activities, from education to healthcare, contributing to the sustainable development of the province. This both strengthens faith and promotes national unity. Many major religious festivals are given attention and facilitated, such as the 85th anniversary of the founding of the Hoa Hao Buddhist sect. The authorities also acknowledge the positive and important contributions of the bishops, priests, and parishioners of the Long Xuyen Diocese, along with the people of the province, to the economic development and social welfare of the province in recent years.

According to Venerable Thich Vien Quang, Deputy Head of the Standing Committee of the An Giang Provincial Buddhist Association, the religious diversity in An Giang is a testament to the tolerant spirit of the Vietnamese people, where faiths coexist and support each other in building a just and compassionate society. The report from the Government's Religious Affairs Committee also affirms that An Giang is a typical model for implementing Resolution 25-NQ/TW of the 9th Central Committee of the Communist Party of Vietnam on religious affairs, where the right to freedom of belief is genuinely guaranteed.

The Department of Ethnic Minorities and Religions of An Giang province is organizing a training course on state management of beliefs and religions in 2025. (Source: sdttg.angiang.gov.vn)

Promoting the role of religions

The guarantee of religious freedom in An Giang is implemented systematically, from the provincial level to the grassroots, with close coordination between state agencies and religious organizations.

The Department of Ethnic Minorities and Religion of An Giang province has guided and supported religious organizations to operate in accordance with their charters and laws. Over the past period, the province has received and processed administrative procedures related to religion, ensuring timely completion without complaints, and has approved the establishment of 22 affiliated religious organizations, as well as the merger and renaming of several organizations. This demonstrates transparency and efficiency in state management, helping religious groups to practice their faith with peace of mind.

Local authorities regularly organize classes to disseminate legal information on beliefs and religions. From 2024 to the present, An Giang province has organized 6 classes to disseminate legal information on beliefs and religions with 464 participants; 7 training courses for more than 500 officials working in religious affairs; and has promptly considered and resolved the legitimate needs of religious organizations in accordance with the law.

Religious organizations in An Giang have actively participated in social and charitable activities, contributing hundreds of billions of VND and establishing many outstanding models such as humanitarian traditional medicine clinics, scholarship funds, and public cemeteries. Notably, the Hoa Hao Buddhist social fund has built bridges and roads, supported poor patients through "zero-cost" kitchens at hospitals, provided free patient transport, and established scholarship funds, helping thousands of impoverished households overcome difficulties. Catholicism and Cao Dai are also active in early childhood education and orphan care programs; the Muslim community plays a significant role in environmental protection. In the 2023-2024 period, religious organizations participated in patriotic emulation movements and the construction of new rural areas, with total social contributions exceeding 179 billion VND in 2024.

However, ensuring religious freedom in An Giang is also facing difficulties. Some local authorities have limited awareness and capacity to enforce the law, leading to delays in processing procedures in some areas. This creates opportunities for ill-intentioned organizations and individuals to exploit and distort the situation regarding religious freedom, inciting divisive acts such as calling for the "restoration of Hoa Hao Village" as a separate territory outside the political system. If not handled appropriately, this could give rise to hotspots, threatening security, order, and social stability.

Over time, the authorities in An Giang province have intensified their efforts in disseminating information and raising awareness to help people clearly distinguish between legitimate and illegal religious activities. The Provincial Religious Affairs Committee has promptly resolved complaints related to religion. These measures have yielded positive results, maintaining stability in the religious situation in the area and preventing conflicts. Religious leaders and followers are increasingly confident in the policies and guidelines of the Party and the State.

Effective methods

Venerable Chau Son Hy, Deputy Head of the Executive Board of the Vietnam Buddhist Association in An Giang province and Abbot of Sa Lon Pagoda, stated that historically, Khmer Theravada Buddhism was at times exploited and manipulated by reactionary elements, and some people had limited awareness. However, currently, the religious leaders, the Management Board of Sa Lon Pagoda, and Buddhists have heightened vigilance and proactively cooperated closely with the government and functional forces. Through regular religious activities, the abbots and the Management Board have combined the dissemination of the Party's policies and the State's laws; at the same time, they have pointed out distorted and provocative arguments aimed at dividing national and religious unity. When detecting individuals who seem to be exploiting religion, the pagoda and influential people in the community inform the local government and relevant agencies to coordinate early and proactive handling, preventing complications from arising. Thanks to the active involvement of all levels of government and religious leaders, there is currently no evidence of hostile forces exploiting ethnic or religious issues to incite people to engage in acts of sabotage against the State.

Similarly, in Chau Phong commune, religious activities are integrated with legal awareness campaigns, helping the Cham Muslim community understand the Party and State's policies and prohibited behaviors, thereby enhancing their sense of responsibility to the community and maintaining political stability and social order in the area. This is also an important foundation for strengthening the people's trust in the Party's leadership at the grassroots level. According to Lieutenant Colonel Tran Thanh Van, Deputy Head of the Chau Phong Commune Police, promoting the role of influential figures in the community has helped to widely and promptly implement the Party's policies and the State's laws; at the same time, it effectively prevents manifestations of exploiting beliefs and religions to destabilize security and order; the Party Committee, the People's Committee, and the police force always pay full attention to supporting the community and believers to conduct activities smoothly and organize festivals while ensuring security and order. The people are reassured in practicing their religion and beliefs, and have confidence in the leadership and management of the local government. The unity among religions is increasingly strengthened and contributes significantly to political and social stability.

In the coming period, even higher standards will be set to ensure religious freedom goes hand in hand with social stability in An Giang.

First and foremost, it is necessary to thoroughly implement the Party's guidelines, especially Resolution 25-NQ/TW on religious affairs, into the lives of religious leaders and followers through training courses and propaganda. Improve the effectiveness of state management, support religious organizations in expanding their activities towards the common good of the community, and strengthen coordination with ministries and agencies to promptly address emerging issues and ensure good security and order at major religious festivals. Continue to support the teaching of ethnic languages ​​in temples for the Khmer and Cham communities to preserve their culture and faith.

Furthermore, it is necessary to strengthen the fight against activities that exploit religion to violate the law; raise awareness among grassroots officials in handling cases based on a human rights approach, ensuring the implementation of people's freedom of religion and belief. Regularly organize working groups to understand the situation and needs of religious and belief groups to promptly address issues, preventing malicious individuals from exploiting and inciting division between religions or undermining the trust of religious followers in the Party and the State. This not only helps to strengthen trust but also encourages religions to participate more deeply in national target programs for socio-economic development in ethnic minority areas, building cultural life, solidarity, and equality among religions.

Source: https://baoquocte.vn/an-giang-manh-dat-cho-nhieu-duc-tin-cung-dong-hanh-phat-trien-358125.html