Vietnam respects freedom of religion and belief: FM spokesperson
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.
At the 16th United Nations Day of Vesak (Photo: VNA)
Hanoi (VNA) - Foreign Ministry spokespersonLe Thi Thu Hang reiterated on June 11 Vietnam’s consistent policy of respectingand guaranteeing the right of citizens to follow or not follow any religion or belief.
This is clearly stated in Vietnam’s Constitution andlegal system as well as guaranteed in practice, Hang said while answering a questionraised at the ministry’s regular press conference from the Vietnam News Agency regardingthe country’s reaction to the US Department of State’s 2019 internationalreligious freedom report.
Vietnam has made continuous efforts to perfect itslegal system and policies on religion and belief, including approval of the Lawon Belief and Religion and decrees guiding its implementation, she emphasised.
Vietnam now has 43 organisations of 16 recognised andcertified religions, with 55,000 dignitaries, 26 million followers, or 27percent of the national population, 29,000 places of worship, and more than8,000 annual religious festivals, Hang said.
She added that many major international religiousevents have been held in the country, such as the 500th anniversaryof the Protestant Reformation, the UN Day of Vesak in May 2019, and CapitulumGenerale 2019.
Such efforts have been lauded by theinternational community, she emphasised.
“We acknowledge the US Department ofState speaking of Vietnam’s achievements and progress in guaranteeing andpromoting religion and belief in the country,” the spokesperson went on.
However, there remain inaccurate andunverified information in the report about the situation in Vietnam, she added.
Vietnam continues to maintain andstands ready to enhance cooperation and have discussions with the US on issuesof shared concern in a spirit of frankness, openness, and mutual respect,through bilateral dialogue frameworks, including annual human rights dialogue,thus contributing to promoting the comprehensive partnership between the twocountries, Hang stated./.
The 16th United Nations Day of Vesak has successfully wrapped up, offering participants wonderful experiences, Most Venerable Phra Brahmapundit, President of the International Council for Day of Vesak (ICDV), has said.
Vietnam has consistently pursued the policy of respecting and guaranteeing the right to freedom of citizens to follow or not follow any religion and belief, stated the Foreign Ministry’s spokesperson Le Thi Thu Hang.
Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc had a meeting in the central city of Da Nang on August 9 with religious dignitaries who made outstanding contributions to the national construction and safeguard, during which he affirmed that interests of each religion are intertwined with those of the nation.
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.
New Zealand is currently one of Vietnam’s most important partners in the region, marked by a high level of political trust, strong and reliable defence and security cooperation, and increasingly open economic, trade, and investment ties.
Party General Secretary To Lam stressed that the Central Public Security Party Committee must be fully aware of the extremely important role of the People's Public Security force in the country's new revolutionary phase, so as to guide each branch and level of the force as the nation undergoes transformation.
Addressing concerns over university education spending, Son explained that as public universities gain greater autonomy, the Ministry of Finance has scaled back recurrent state funding. “Over the past decade, as autonomy has increased, the State's support has steadily declined”, he noted
Lao Minister of Foreign Affairs Thongsavanh Phomvihane affirmed that the presence of Vietnamese press offices in Laos vividly demonstrates the great friendship, special solidarity, and comprehensive cooperation between the two nations, as the press is not only a means of communication but also an important bridge for spreading consciousness about the history, values, and strategic depth of the Laos – Vietnam relationship to the people of both countries and the international community.
The country is willing to participate in collective efforts to promote cooperation and mobilise resources to advance the current priority issues of developing countries, such as trade, investment, infrastructure connectivity, making the most of scientific and technological advances for development, and people-to-people exchanges, Hang said.
During the negotiations, the US highly evaluated Vietnam’s goodwill and efforts, affirmed its appreciation for the bilateral relationship, acknowledged Vietnam’s proposals and concerns, and considered these an important basis for continuing discussions and moving towards a final agreement.
At the 16th United Nations Day of Vesak (Photo: VNA) 
