Perfecting the legal framework on beliefs and religions

On November 18, 2016, the National Assembly passed the Law on Belief and Religion, marking an important turning point in ensuring people's freedom of belief. Subsequently, Decree 162/2017/ND-CP was issued, effective from January 1, 2018, creating the highest legal framework regulating the field of belief and religion nationwide. After about 8 years of implementation, a number of shortcomings and problems have emerged.

According to the Ministry of Ethnic Minorities and Religions (DTTG), in order to overcome limitations, perfect policies and improve the effectiveness of state management, the Ministry is developing a draft Law on Belief and Religion (amended), aiming to be more suitable to new realities and development requirements.

Specifically, the documents implementing the activities of developing the Law on Belief and Religion (amended) have been issued, including: Official Dispatch No. 2379/BDTTG-BTGCP dated October 20, 2025 on summarizing the implementation of the Law on Belief and Religion; Official Dispatch No. 2396/BDTTG-TGCP dated October 22, 2025 on participating in the Drafting Committee and Editorial Team to develop the Law on Belief and Religion (amended); especially Decision No. 768/QD-BDTTG dated October 21, 2025 promulgating the Specific Plan for developing the draft Law on Belief and Religion (amended).

This plan clearly states that the Ministry of Ethnic Minorities will submit to the Government important documents for the development of the Law (amended), including: Draft Submission; Draft Law; Summary Report on Law Implementation; Review Report on the Party's policies and guidelines, relevant legal documents, and analytical reports on administrative procedures, decentralization, as well as policies related to digital transformation and gender equality. In addition, the Ministry will also synthesize comments and social criticism to complete the draft, as a basis for submission to the National Assembly.

According to the Ministry of Ethnic Minorities and Religions, the Law on Belief and Religion (amended) is expected to be submitted to the 16th National Assembly at its first session in April 2026. This is an important step to perfect the legal framework in the field of belief and religion, while creating more favorable conditions for people to exercise their freedom of belief and religion in the context of an increasingly developed and diverse society.

Son Hao

Source: https://baochinhphu.vn/hoan-thien-khung-phap-ly-ve-tin-nguong-ton-giao-102251030100034201.htm