A year full of memorable moments.

As a multi-religious country with 27 million followers, accounting for 27% of the country's population, Vietnam has always paid special attention to ensuring the right to freedom of belief and religion for its people.

The year 2023 can be said to have many outstanding achievements in the field of religion, creating a foundation for the development of beliefs and religions, while simultaneously enhancing the prestige of the Party and the State among the people.

White paper 'Religion and Religious Policy in Vietnam'. (Photo: Vinh Ha)

Highlights of 2023

With the attention and guidance of the Party and the State, the work of ensuring freedom of belief and religion in 2023 has achieved many advances, from legislative and executive work to religious diplomacy.

Firstly, the legal system needs to be perfected to create a legal basis for protecting the right to freedom of belief and religion. After Decree No. 162 revealed some shortcomings and obstacles, especially the lack of specific measures for effective implementation of the Law on Belief and Religion, on December 29, 2023, Vietnam issued Decree No. 95/2023/ND-CP stipulating some articles and measures for the implementation of the Law on Belief and Religion (Decree 95), replacing Decree 162.

This includes addressing practical difficulties faced by citizens and believers, such as issues related to the ownership of religious land; religious activities for those under management or detention in management and detention facilities; ensuring and facilitating legal conditions for competent state agencies and religious groups of foreigners; the activities of religious organizations and establishments, especially religious activities in cyberspace…

Secondly , it is important to strengthen the dissemination and promotion of the Party's guidelines and the State's policies and laws on belief and religion. A notable achievement is that Vietnam has published the White Paper "Religion and Religious Policy in Vietnam" in both Vietnamese and English.

The White Paper not only provides information on policies and achievements in ensuring freedom of belief and religion in Vietnam, but also affirms that all religions are equal before the law, and the State does not discriminate on the basis of belief or religion: "No individual or religious organization operating in accordance with the law shall be prohibited from doing so."

In addition, other propaganda efforts were intensified to raise awareness and promote compliance with the law among religious followers, strengthening the trust of religious leaders and believers in the Party and the State. Twelve conferences were held to disseminate laws on belief and religion to 3,420 delegates including religious leaders, officials, monks, believers, representatives, and management boards of religious establishments; and three training conferences on information and communication skills were organized nationwide for 750 delegates, including religious leaders and officials from various localities.

Thirdly, religious organizations are provided with all the necessary conditions to operate in accordance with their charters, regulations, and legal provisions. The State always pays attention to and creates favorable conditions for religious activities and practices of all religions to take place normally. In particular, important religious holidays are organized on a large scale, attracting a large number of followers.

In 2023, the Ministry of Interior issued a decision recognizing two religious organizations (Ta Lon Filial Piety Buddhist Association and the Vietnam Full Gospel Church) and a decision approving the proposal to establish the Vietnam Baptist Theological Institute.

As of December 2023, the State had recognized 38 religious organizations, granted religious activity registration to 2 organizations and 1 practice belonging to 16 religions. To meet the religious needs of the people, in 2023, the Religious Publishing House issued over 690 publishing decisions, with over 2,400,000 printed copies. Many religious texts have been published in English, French, and ethnic languages.

Fourth, the international relations activities of religious organizations have received attention and support, contributing to affirming Vietnam's policy of ensuring religious freedom to international friends . In 2023, more than 300 religious dignitaries, officials, and clergy participated in conferences, seminars, and training courses on religion abroad; nearly 400 foreigners entered Vietnam to engage in religious activities.

Religious organizations are facilitated in hosting major international religious events: the Catholic Church of Vietnam hosted the 2023 Conference of the Federation of Asian Bishops' Conferences; the Vietnam Buddhist Church hosted the Conference of the Secretariat of the Asian Buddhist Forum for Peace ; the Conference of Buddhist Leaders of Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia; and the Protestant churches in Vietnam organized the "Spring of Love" festival.

Fifth, Vietnam-Vatican relations took a historic step forward when the Vatican officially appointed a Resident Representative in Vietnam. This result stemmed from the efforts of both sides and the visit of President Vo Van Thuong to the Holy See in July 2023.

Pope Francis acknowledged the contributions of the clergy, laity, and the Catholic Church of Vietnam to serving the nation and the development of society; expressing the view that the relationship between Vietnam and the Holy See “ is progressing and will continue to progress, thanks to recognizing similarities and respecting differences ,” thereby “ being able to find together the best path to serve the good of the Vietnamese people and the Church .”

The Pope is expected to visit Vietnam in 2024, further strengthening the already positive relationship between the two sides.

President Vo Van Thuong, Pope Francis, and other delegates during their visit to the Vatican on July 27, 2023. (Photo: Nguyen Hong)

Action Plan 2024

In 2024, the socio-political situation remained stable, but the economy continued to face increasing difficulties and challenges: new religious phenomena, "heretical sects," and "strange religions" continued to attract followers; cross-border missionary activities, including those conducted via the Internet, created many difficulties for state management and posed potential security and order complexities; hostile and reactionary forces continued to exploit religion to undermine the Party and the State...

To further enhance the effectiveness of ensuring and realizing the right to freedom of belief and religion in the current context of building a rule-of-law state and international integration, the following solutions should be implemented simultaneously:

Firstly , we must continue to build and improve the institutional framework and concretize the Party's policies on belief and religion, creating a synchronized and effective legal system regarding belief and religion. Amendments and additions should be synchronized across ministries and agencies with the provisions of the Law on Belief and Religion to create conditions for religious organizations to participate in social activities and contribute resources to national construction and development.

Pope Francis acknowledged the contributions of the clergy, laity, and the Catholic Church in Vietnam to serving the nation and the development of society, expressing the view that the relationship between Vietnam and the Holy See “is progressing and will continue to progress, thanks to recognizing similarities and respecting differences,” thereby “being able to find together the best path to serve the good of the Vietnamese people and the Church.”

Secondly , strengthen the dissemination and education of knowledge, laws, and the implementation of the right to freedom of belief and religion by law enforcement agencies, religious leaders, clergy, followers, and the general public to better ensure the right to freedom of belief and religion for all. Proactively implement external information work; continue to guide and create conditions for domestic religious organizations to participate in international conferences and seminars on religion abroad, and host religious events in the country.

The Vietnam Bishops' Conference hosted the Federation of Asian Bishops' Conferences (FABC) Conference with the theme “50 Years of FABC: Looking Back at Documents and Application” in Ba Ria-Vung Tau province from June 5-10, 2023. In the photo: Deputy Minister of Home Affairs Vu Chien Thang giving a speech. (Source: Nhan Dan Newspaper)

Thirdly, continue to innovate and improve the effectiveness and efficiency of state management of beliefs and religions. Pay attention to guiding and creating favorable conditions for religious organizations to operate in accordance with their charters, regulations, and laws; proactively address the legitimate religious needs of believers and resolve emerging issues; proactively prevent and resolutely combat acts of exploiting beliefs and religions to divide and undermine national unity and religious harmony.

Fourth , we must accelerate administrative reforms and the application of information technology, implementing digitalization in the field of belief and religion in the spirit of building an e-government and a digital government to improve the efficiency of state management of belief and religion activities.

Fifthly , we will continue to improve the effectiveness of religious diplomacy, proactively contacting and meeting with countries and organizations interested in religious issues in Vietnam to exchange and provide official and complete information, while refuting false information about the situation of religious freedom and belief in Vietnam.

Source: https://baoquocte.vn/bao-dam-quyen-tu-do-tin-nguong-ton-giao-mot-nam-nhieu-dau-an-261440.html