The inauguration of the solar light system (Photo: Ngoc Anh)

Na Ca hamlet has two groups of Protestants – Mong and Dao. The local authorities have always created favorable conditions for both groups to practice their religion in line with the law.

Ma The Sy, Chairman of the People’s Committee of Pac Miau town, said: “The local administration guides people to register their religious activities. The groups’ leaders are in charge of administrative tasks for their members. Each year the groups register their activities for approval by the administration. We have invested 120,000 USD to build roads in Na Ca hamlet and give seedlings and breeding animals to the people.”

In June the town People's Committee of Pac Miau set up a model of "religious groups self-managing security and order". The model makes religious followers more united.

A prayer of Mong Protestants in Na Ca hamlet (Photo: Ngoc Anh)

The six-member group of Mong Protestants in Na Ca hamlet elected Hoang Van Sung as their group leader. Sung said: “The model of self-managing religious group aims to strengthen the role of religious dignitaries and officials in the groups and use the combined strength of all people to protect national security. The group leaders inform their followers about the State's policies on religions and beliefs and new rural development.”

To help people practice religion in remote mountain areas where transportation is difficult, the Cao Bang provincial Department of Public Security installed 40 solar-powered lights for the Protestant groups.

The inauguration of the model "religious groups self-managing security and order" (Photo: Ngoc Anh)

With the new lights, traveling at night is easier. Hoang Duc Lanh, a Na Ca villager, said: “Religious activities are held every Sunday. People come to sing hymns, read the Bible, and listen to sermons. Protestantism teaches us to give up bad things. On Christmas, the leaders of the town and district come to congratulate us. My family raises cows and pigs and grows rice to earn a living. The local authorities pay attention to the activities of religious groups, help poor households obtain production loans, and build roads to make travel easier.”

Under the guidance of the local authorities, Protestants in Na Ca hamlet are participating in social security movements, living a good life, and building a peaceful and prosperous hamlet.