Vietnam consistently respects, ensures right to religious freedom
Vietnam pursues a consistent policy of protecting and promoting human rights, respecting and ensuring the right to religious and belief freedom, which is clearly stipulated in the country’s Constitution and laws, and is enforced in reality, deputy spokesperson of the Foreign Ministry Dang Hung Viet said.
Vietnam consistently respects and ensures right to religious freedom (Photo: VNA)
Hanoi (VNA)𒆙 – Vietnam pursues a consistent policy ofprotecting and promoting human rights, respecting and ensuring the right toreligious and belief freedom, which is clearly stipulated in the country’sConstitution and laws, and is enforced in reality, deputy spokesperson of theForeign Ministry Doan Khac Viet said.
He made the affirmation at the ministry’s regular pressconference on April 29 in reply to reporters’ question about Vietnam’s reactionto the 2021 report of the US Commission on International Religious Freedom which accused Vietnam of violating religious freedom. According to the deputy spokesperson, an estimated 95 percent ofthe Vietnamese population engage in belief and religious activities, including morethan 25 million followers of different religions (27 percent). Catholics alonenumber more than 7 million and Protestants, over one million.
Viet stressed that the Vietnamese State creates favourableconditions for religious people and organisations to engage in international exchangesand cooperation, adding that the religious life in Vietnam is diverse andlively. Vietnam’s efforts and achievements in ensuring the right to religious andbelief freedom of its people have been recognized widely in the international community,he said.
“Vietnam notes that the 2021 InternationalReligious Freedom Report of the US Commission on International Religious Freedom had mentioned Vietnam’s efforts and positive developments in ensuring andpromoting the religious and belief life, but the report still made several partialand biased assessments based on inaccurate information on the religioussituation in Vietnam,” the deputy spokesperson said.
♔ He went on to say that in Vietnam, acts that took advantage of the right to religiousfreedom to violate the law are handled in accordance with Vietnamese laws.
He affirmed that Vietnam is willing to discuss with the USissues of mutual concern in the spirit of frankness, openness and mutual respect,thus contributing to promoting the comprehensive partnership between the twocountries./.
The Party and the State always respect the right to religions and believes of the people while ensuring that religious activities are in line with the law, Permanent Deputy Prime Minister Truong Hoa Binh reiterated on May 3.
Foreign Ministry spokesperson Le Thi Thu Hang reiterated on June 11 Vietnam’s consistent policy of respecting and guaranteeing the right of citizens to follow or not follow any religion or belief.
The Hoa Hao Buddhist Sangha’s Central Executive Committee held a ceremony in the Mekong Delta province of An Giang on July 8 to mark the sect’s 81st founding anniversary, attended by Buddhists from 18 cities and provinces nationwide.
Secretary of the Party Central Committee and Secretary of the HCM City Party Committee Nguyen Van Nen has visited and extended his Christmas and New Year greetings to the city diocese.
National Assembly (NA) Chairwoman Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan offered Christmas and New Year greetings to Catholic dignitaries, priests, and followers while visiting the headquarters of the Archdiocese of Hue in central Thua Thien-Hue province on December 22.
Vietnamese Ambassador Dang Dinh Quy underlined the importance of religion and belief in promoting peace, understanding, tolerance, and mutual respect among communities while addressing an UN Security Council (UNSC) meeting on March 19.
The Government Committee for Religious Affairs held a meeting with foreign religious practitioners on April 27 to inform about legal regulations on beliefs and religions, and the realisation of the right to freedom of belief or religion of foreigners legally residing in Vietnam.
The trip will be made at the invitations of Chinese Premier Li Qiang and WEF President and CEO Børge Brende, according to an announcement from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Long spoke highly of the dynamic, positive, and comprehensive development of Vietnam – Russia relations in recent years. He affirmed that the Vietnamese Party and State place great importance on further strengthening the comprehensive strategic partnership with Russia in a substantive and effective manner, in line with the development needs of both nations.
At the conference, participants reported that the Government has so far issued 28 decrees on the delegation of responsibilities and powers between the central Government and two-tier local administrations. Several localities have already piloted the new governance model.
Reality is the ultimate benchmark for success, he said, urging drafting agencies to work out policies that foster development, reduce bureaucratic hurdles, and respect practical conditions.
Under the official dispatch signed on June 20, ministers, heads of ministerial-level agencies, and chairpersons of provincial and municipal People’s Committees are requested to concentrate efforts on implementing core measures to ensure the smooth operations of the new administrative framework.
The Party chief underscored the need for the press to innovate relentlessly, evolve to keep pace with the country's development, transform into a truly professional, humanistic, and modern sector that serves the cause of the Party, the State, and the people on the path to national construction and development.
The UN Secretary-General praised Vietnam’s remarkable achievements in socio-economic development and international integration in recent years, noting that the country has emerged as a model in implementing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), promoting international peace and security, and engaging in key UN processes.
Nghia affirmed that this is a milestone of special significance, affirming and honouring the the Vietnamese revolutionary press’s glorious tradition of 100 years of serving the revolutionary cause of the Party, serving the Fatherland, and serving the people.
The Party and State of Vietnam always attach great importance to and give top priority to the development of Vietnam–China relations. Vietnam is ready to work with the Chinese Party and State to further deepen the Comprehensive Strategic Cooperative Partnership and promote the building of the Vietnam-China community with a shared future that carries strategic significance.
Under the leadership of President Ho Chi Minh and the CPV, President Cuong said, the press has been a steadfast force on the ideological and cultural front, rallying the masses to pursue national aspirations.
NA Chairman Tran Thanh Man stressed the need to accelerate the application of artificial intelligence and smart teaching equipment, innovate teaching and assessment methods, and further improve the quality of formal education.
He also pledged that the NA will promote its ongoing supervision, making sure that every promise must lead to results, and every commitment must bring about real changes.
Minister of Industry and Trade Nguyen Hong Dien welcomed the proposals put forward by the US side and reiterated Vietnam’s request for consideration of key areas of interest, including reciprocal tariff policies and access for Vietnamese key export products to the US market.
Deputy PM Le Thanh Long proposed countries promote shared values, including building trust, sincerity, and solidarity among nations and peoples; fostering cooperation spirit and responsible behaviour as well as upholding international law and the UN Charter; and placing people at the centre and as the goal, the key player, and the driving force of all policies.
The show, together with a grand parade to be held silmutaneously at Ba Dinh Square in Hanoi, will celebrate the 80th anniversary of the August Revolution, the National Day, and the General Staff of the Vietnam People’s Army (VPA).
In particular, in April 2023, the two sides successfully carried out a joint operation that dismantled a major organised, transnational drug trafficking ring involving both Vietnamese and Cambodian suspects.
The Vietnamese Embassy in Israel is closely coordinating with relevant local agencies to stay informed and provide the utmost support possible for Vietnamese nationals.
The launch of Thanh Nien (Young People) newspaper in 1925, even before the founding of the Communist Party of Vietnam, is considered a testament to President Ho Chi Minh’s strategic foresight and strong belief in the guiding power of the revolutionary media.
Vietnam consistently respects and ensures right to religious freedom (Photo: VNA) 
