Vietnam always respects, ensures human rights: Russian expert
Vietnam always recognises basic principles and standards of human rights, and stands ready to perfect this through the implementation of reasonable international recommendations, a Russian expert has said.
Grigory Trofimchuk said in his May 30 article published on The Independent, a Russian prestigious international news and political analysis site, that the religious life is completely open to people in Vietnam, elaborating that up to 95% of its population practice a belief or religion.
The country is home to 43 religious organisations belonging to 16 religions, with over 26.5 million followers, accounting for 27% of the population; more than 54,000 dignitaries; over 135,000 assistants; and nearly 30,000 places of worship, he noted.
Many types of beliefs, and worship relic sites and objects have been recognised as world heritage by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO), the author said.
Regarding the right to freedom of movement and residence, the expert said the fact that millions of people from all over the world visit the Southeast Asian nation each year is the clearest evidence for this freedom.
Foreigners can come to Vietnam for work or a vacation without any discrimination, of course on the basis of compliance with local law, he said, elaborating adjustments to the Law on Exit and Entry of Vietnamese Citizens and the Law on Entry, Exit, Transit, and Residence of Foreigners in Vietnam in 2023, with many new points more convenient for citizens and foreigners.
Over 90 international treaties signed, along with international agreements on visa exemption for Vietnamese citizens with other countries and territories, border agreements with neighbouring countries, have facilitated the travelling, he continued.
Trofimchuk stressed the diversity of the media landscape in Vietnam, with one national news agency and 72 radio and television agencies, which, he said, proves the rights to freedom of speech, press and information in the country.
Vietnamese leaders are aware that the enhancement of Vietnam's prestige and position in the region and the world, including economic indicators, is inseparable from improving people's lives, the expert concluded.
