Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh visits Ba Ria Archdiocese

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh last week visited and extended Christmas greetings to Catholics in Ba Ria-Vung Tau province. The Prime Minister reminded Catholic dignitaries and followers to abide by Party guidelines and State policies, promote solidarity and mutual support, and further contribute to national development.

The Prime Minister reiterated Vietnam’s determination to promote a socialist democracy, a socialist law-governed state, and a socialist-oriented market economy. He said the Vietnamese Party and State always respect and protect human rights and the freedom of belief and religion. He said the Vietnamese State does not sacrifice social progress and equality to economic growth. On the occasion of Christmas and New Year 2022, the Prime Minister wished Catholic followers in Ba Ria-Vung Tau province and nationwide a merry Christmas, peace, happiness, and wealth.

Christmas is one of 8,000 religious festivals held each year in Vietnam. As of the end of 2019, Vietnam had 43 religious organizations recognized and registered for operation with 57,000 dignitaries, 157,000 religious workers, and 29,000 places of worship. 95% of Vietnamese people practice some religious belief. The exercise of belief and religious activities in Vietnam is increasing.  Many religious festivals draw large numbers of participants. This is evidence that the Party and State have created favorable conditions for people to practice their religious beliefs. The diversification of religious activities is further evidence of freedom of belief and religion in Vietnam.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh presents gifts to Christians at Long Huong diocese in Ba Ria-Vung Tau province

The State permits and supports the printing of religious publications and bibles in various languages. Most religious organizations have their own website. They conduct their regular activities and train and appoint their religious dignitaries. Many places of worship have been upgraded and renovated.

During Vietnam’s international integration, Vietnamese religious organizations have expanded their international activities as a result of open policies and favorable conditions created by the Vietnamese Party and State. The State creates conditions for international religious organizations that want to organize meetings and activities in Vietnam. Vietnam has participated in international dialogues on human rights and freedom of belief and religion, presented to the UN a report on the implementation of Universal Periodic Review (UPR) third-cycle recommendations and a report on the implementation of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) and responded to recommendations by UN agencies on human rights and freedom of belief and religion.

The Vietnam-Vatican relationship has been maintained and upgraded from non-permanent special envoy to permanent special envoy. Vietnam has promoted exchanges of delegations and meetings to boost bilateral ties with the Vatican.

The Vietnamese Party and State also pay attention to the religious life of overseas Vietnamese. The Government’s Committee for Religious Affairs has sent several missions abroad to learn about local Vietnamese affairs and persuade local governments to create favorable conditions for them to practice their beliefs activities. Vietnam’s external relations activities concerning religious affairs are carried out in line with the Law on Belief and Religion and have helped Vietnamese religious organizations increase their international status. These activities have helped foreign religious organizations better understand religious life in Vietnam.

These things are evidence of the consistent policy of the Vietnamese Party and State to respect freedom of belief and religion and ensure that Vietnamese people are not obstructed in practicing their beliefs or religions.