Right understanding of freedom of belief and religion in Vietnam

A lot of people who lack information have maintained a prejudice about or misunderstanding of Vietnam’s religious affairs. Vietnam has religious policies regulate religious and belief practices. 

To ensure the civil rights of religion and belief, Vietnam has revised its laws and regulations to conform to international norms.

Policies on freedom of belief and religion

Over the past 50 years Vietnam has issued 100 legal documents on religion and belief, which are also mentioned in the Civil Law, the Criminal Law, and the Land Law and the Constitution. Article 24 of the 2013 Constitution states that all people have freedom of religion and belief and the right to follow or not follow a religion. Religions are equal before the law. The state respects and protects freedom of belief and religion. No one is allowed to violate a person’s freedom of belief and religion or to take advantage of religion and belief to infringe the law.

The National Assembly adopted a Law on Belief and Religion last November, affirming Vietnam’s open policies toward the spiritual and religious life of all people and encouraging all people to contribute to national unity.

Vietnam’s progress in freedom of belief and religion

Article 6 of the Law on Belief and Religion stipulates that all people have the right to follow or not follow a religion. People who are under temporary detention and custody under law, serving prison sentences, or held at compulsory rehabilitation centers or detoxification centers have the right to use prayer-books and practice their belief and religion. The law states that religious practice registration is to serve people’s religious needs, not a condition for forming a religious organization. It stipulates the ordainment and appointment of foreigners in religious organizations operating in Vietnam.

Foreigners legally residing in Vietnam have the right to practice religion, join religious activities, use a legal place for religious gatherings, invite religious dignitaries to carry out missionary work, live or study at a religious center in Vietnam, and possess religious publications and equipment consistent with Vietnam’s laws.

The Law on Belief and Religion has codified the views of the Vietnamese state and met the aspirations of religious dignitaries and people. The enforcement of this law better ensures the civil rights of belief and religion.