This is not the first time that the USCIRF has made such a recommendation. Since the commission was established in 1998, it has continuously disseminated false information about the religious situation in Vietnam. Especially after the US Department of State removed Vietnam from the list of Countries of Particular Concern (CPC) in 2006, it has sought to exert more influence in the US Government to include Vietnam in the CPC list again. 

This year, the commission reported that there were property disputes between the Catholic Church and the administration, including the case of Thai Ha parish. The information was provided by several Redemptorist priests such as Le Quang Huy and Nguyen Van Khai who claim to be acting in the name of God and in the interests of the nation. What they did, in fact, is quite contrary to God’s teachings and very harmful to the administration and the bloc of national unity.

These priests made use of the Party and State’s policy on religious freedom to establish a forum aimed at inciting their followers to commit extremist acts and cause social unrest.

The Vietnamese Constitution stipulates that land is the property of the nation. Therefore, there can be no property disputes between the administration and any organised religions as described by the USCIRF. This only puts a big question mark over whether this commission really misunderstands or intentionally distorts the real situation in Vietnam.

At present Vietnam has approximately 20 million religious followers and about 80 percent of the population follow a belief. The Vietnamese State views religion and belief as a legitimate need for its citizens and constantly makes every effort to ensure their rights.

Vietnam has 12 religions, of which Buddhism, Catholicism and Protestantism make up the majority of the followers. Their activities, especially big celebrations, are solemnly held across the country, attracting hundreds of thousands of followers. It’s also worth mentioning that the UN Day of Vesak which was held in Hanoi last year drew the participation of more than 4,000 Buddhist monks and nuns, including 2,000 foreign delegates from 74 countries and territories. On top of this, millions of Buddhists across the country took part in various activities on May 2, 2009 to mark Buddha’s birthday.

Over the past few years, many places of worship have been built or refurbished, and many training courses have been held for dignitaries and followers across the country. Religious organisations in Vietnam have actively taken part in social, cultural and humanitarian activities, contributing significantly to the nation. All this speaks for itself and the USCIRF’s slanderous allegations can cut no ice with the public. 

The truth has been acknowledged by the international community. John Hanford, US Ambassador at Large for International Religious Freedom, said that during his previous visits to Vietnam, “My staff and I did indeed observe flourishing religious activities in many places and in many faiths, and of course we regard the relative freedom these believers enjoy as a welcome development.” UNCIRF Vice President Michael Cromartie also shared Hanford’s view during his trip to Vietnam in October 2007.

Nearly two years have elapsed since his visit and religious activities have continued to grow and flourish. The USCIRF has ignored these facts and has constantly come up with slanderous allegations to distort the religious situation in Vietnam. There is no denying that this organisation is involved in a plot against Vietnam as well as the development of the flourishing relationship between Vietnam and the US.

Despite being an independent organisation, the USCIRF belongs to the Government as it is appointed by the President and approved by Congress. At the fourth summit of the Americas in Trinidad and Tobago in April, President Barrack Obama said that the US needs to listen to “what they say” if it wants to have good relations with other countries.

Therefore, the US needs to produce correct and objective views on specific issues related to human rights and religious freedom and refute slanderous allegations like those made up by the USCIRF. Only by doing so, can the US government make the right decision in line with the basic principles governing the relationship between the two countries for the benefit of mutual respect and understanding and without affecting the wide-ranging interests of both countries.