Vietnam’s policies on religion during the renovation period - Achievements and values confirmed

Assoc. Prof., Dr. NGUYEN THANH XUAN
Ho Chi Minh National Academy of Politics

Due to the convergence of factors such as geography, history, ethnicity, culture, etc., Vietnam is a country diverse in forms of beliefs and religions, with up to 95% of the population practicing beliefs or religions, of which there are about 26.5 million believers of religions, accounting for 27% of the population(1). In the process of building and developing the country, the Party and State pay great attention to religion and have policies for each specific period and time. Particularly, since the country started the renovation period, our perception and behavior toward religions have undergone fundamental changes, leading to significant positive shifts in religious life.

1. Vietnam’s perception and behavior toward religion during the renovation period

During the renovation period, the Communist Party of Vietnam’s guidelines and policies on religion were expressed in documents such as Resolution No. 24/NQ-TW, dated October 16, 1990, issued by the Politburo on strengthening religious affairs in the new situation, Directive 37-CT/TW, dated July 2, 1998, issued by the Politburo on religious affairs in the new situation; Resolution No. 25-NQ/TW dated March 12, 2003, issued by the 9th Central Committee of the Party on religious affairs and state management of religion, etc. Most recently, Directive 18- CT/TW, dated January 10, 2018, was issued by the Secretariat of the Party Central Committee on continuing to implement Resolution 25-NQ/TW on religious affairs. All documents from the Party Congresses, from the 7th National Party Congress (in 1991) to the 13th National Party Congress (in 2021), confirmed our new perceptions and behaviors towards religion.

The renovation direction in Vietnam was determined at the 6th National Party Congress is: to look back to innovate in the fields of economy, culture, society with the approach of: facing the truth, continue if right, supplement if lacking and correct if wrong, especially not being “ideologically stubborn”. Religious issues are reviewed by the Communist Party of Vietnam and the renovation is performed with specific contents.

Firstly, broadening the approach to religion. In the past, religion was approached mainly from the two perspectives of philosophical and political thinking with many definitions but remained in two classical statements: “Religion is a form of social consciousness” and “... Religion is the opium of the people” (in the sense of relieving pain - “abstract compensation”). In our new perspective of religion, the two above-mentioned approaches are correct but inadequate and they need to be supplemented. Religion in our new perspective, is not only a philosophical thought and related to politics (due to the abuse of religion by evil political forces), but also historical (religion is one of the factors reflecting the historical processes of mankind), religion is also perception (religion is one of the explanations of the world and humanity), religion is also culture (religion contributes to the formation of civilization, culture, and the lifestyles of humanity), religion is also morality (religion with tolerant and benevolent behavior has contributed to bringing people to the values of truth, goodness, and beauty), etc., and religion is also a support for the spiritual life of people. This means religion is not only a form of social consciousness but also a long-lasting social entity associated with humanity.

Thus, with a new, multi-factorial, multi-dimensional perception, the Communist Party of Vietnam has gone beyond the narrow perspective of religion within the philosophical and political framework and expanded it to other aspects such as culture and morality, etc., just as religion exists and reflects(2).

Secondly, supplementing the new perception about the origin and existence of religion. In the past, in explaining the formation and existence of religion, two sources were given: natural and social ones. The natural origin, that is, when people were still backward and could not explain the natural world, they were helpless and afraid of nature. Therefore they “lost themselves” when they followed a religion. More than once, Marx repeated the Roman historian Lucrèce’s quote: “Religion is born from fear!”

The social origin is when the society forms class antagonism and there is oppression and exploitation, leading to the workers, the oppressed and exploited being deadlocked in life. In the end, they “lose themselves again”, following religions for salvation and protection; coming to religions is coming to a “false flowers” for comfort and hope; they follow religions in the hope of being “compensated” in the next life in an “illusory” way, and so on.

Classical thinkers have emphasized that poverty and suffering are the opportunities of religion! Embracing this thought, Resolution No. 40/NQ-TW dated October 1, 1981 issued by the Party on religious affairs in the new situation stated that: “Religions are formed and exist because of the impotence of people in their fight against natural disasters and social oppression. When life is not good, the people’s cultural level is still low and they have no scientific worldview, they still believe in some mysterious power, still believe in religion”(3).

With the new perception, both the natural and social origins of the formation and existence of religion are correct but inadequate. The emergence, existence, and development of religion also have other causes, including the origin associated with human death. From different perspectives, all religions assume there is a world after death and attractively explain that assumption. Man has a body and a soul. Life on earth - the body is temporary, relative, and fleeting, that is a “spoon of time”. Human death is not the end, the death is the path to an eternal world. The world to which a man comes after death is happy or miserable, depending on his behavior in his life. By doing good deeds, good things, and good actions, people will go to Heaven or enter Nirvana. People who do evil deeds, bad things, and evil actions will go to Hell or Inferno. These beliefs have played a significant role in the long, enduring existence of religion. And it’s also because of these beliefs that religion holds moral and cultural values.

Thus, with a new perception, the Communist Party of Vietnam has determined that religion is a long-standing existence, very long-lasting, and it cannot be simply assumed that religion will quickly disappear when people discover and understand nature or when material life is increasingly developed. This means that the natural and social origins of religion have been addressed. We shall not be willful to simply think that with some revolutions in which the scientific and technological revolution is the key, some five-year plans, or our success in developing socialism, religion will gradually disappear.

Thirdly, having an objective recognition of the role and influence of religion. In the past, when it came to the issue of religion, the positive aspects of religion were hardly mentioned, while the negative elements were emphasized. Our new opinion recognized both positive and negative aspects of religion. In addition to the limitations and negative aspects of religion, for example, religion makes people cynical and lulls them in conditions of low intellectual awareness; from a political perspective, religion is also very vulnerable to malicious forces and opportunism in certain historical situations. Religion, in our new perspective, also has positive values that are recognized and respected, including positive cultural and ethical values closely associated with humanism.

The doctrines, religious laws, and teachings of various religions have established moral standards that guide good behavior, contributing to regulating human social behaviors. In fact, in Vietnam, where there are many religious followers, there are fewer social evils, more stable order, and a more disciplined and ethical lifestyle. In 1990, Resolution 24-NQ/TW stated: “Religious ethics have many points suitable for the development of a new society”(4). The Platform for National Development in the Transitional Period to Socialism and the Documents of the Party Congress clearly affirm the opinion of the Vietnam Communist Party and State, namely: “Promoting the fine cultural and moral values of religions”(5). Particularly, in the Resolution of the 13th National Party Congress (in 2021), our Party has identified religion as a social resource: “Promoting the fine cultural and moral values as well as resources of religions for the cause of developing the country”(6).

Thus, with Resolution 24-NQ/TW (1990) and Resolution No. 25-NQ/TW (2003), etc., The Communist Party of Vietnam has expanded its perception that religion is not only a matter of ideology and politics but also an issue of: history, perception, culture, morality, and so on. The formation and existence of religion are not only due to natural and social causes but also due to many other causes, including human-related causes; religion is not only social consciousness, but also an objectively existing entity in socialism; and like any other social existence, besides the negative aspects, religion has positive impacts, including positive cultural and moral values.

From the new perception of religion, the Communist Party of Vietnam has determined the direction, viewpoints, undertakings, and policies on religion and religious affairs during the renovation period. Firstly, we shall identify religion as a long-standing issue, fulfilling the spiritual need of a part of the people; Secondly, we shall consistently implement the policy on respecting and protecting everyone’s right to freedom of religion. Religions operate within the framework of the law and are equal before the law. Thirdly, we shall consistently implement the policy of uniting religions into the great national unity bloc to realize our goal of a prosperous people, a strong country, an equitable, democratic, and civilized society. Fourthly, we shall recognize and promote the positive cultural and moral aspects of religion, and at the same time, identify religion as a resource to contribute to society. Fifthly, we shall strictly forbid the taking advantage of beliefs and religions to conduct superstitious activities or illegal actions that violate the State’s policies, including inciting people, dividing ethnic groups, causing disorders, and infringing upon national security.

In addition to the above-mentioned perceptions and behaviors toward religion, the Party’s resolutions have identified the key content areas in religious affairs during the renovation period. Specifically:

- Religious affairs in the new period shall aim to strengthen the unity of people of all religions in the great national unity bloc, bring into play the strength of the whole nation, and successfully implement the cause of industrializing and modernizing the country, firmly building and defending the Fatherland, for the goal of a prosperous people, a strong country, and an equitable, democratic, and civilized society.

- The core content of religious work is mass mobilization. The mass mobilization shall be performed to encourage people to uphold their patriotism, the sense of protecting the independence and reunification of the Fatherland through proper implementation of policies on socio-economic issues, security, and national defense, ensuring the material and spiritual interests of the people in general, including people of all religions. In order to properly mobilize the masses of followers of all religions, it is necessary to properly implement policies on religion.

- Religious work is the responsibility of the entire political system. Religious work relates to many areas of social life, across various sectors, some directly and others indirectly. It also relates to many localities including crucial ones. Therefore, it is necessary to closely coordinate between branches at all levels, all under the leadership of the Party(7).

During the renovation period, implementing the Party’s policies, the State issued legal documents on religious activities, such as Decree No. 69/ND-HDBT, dated March 21, 1991, by the Council of Ministers on Regulations on religious activities, Decree No. 26/ND-CP, dated April 19, 1999, by the Government on religious activities, followed by the Ordinance on Beliefs and Religions, dated June 18, 2004. Importantly, continuing to implement the Party’s opinion and policies on religion, the XIV National Assembly promulgated the 2016 Law on Beliefs and Religions. Along with that, the Government promulgated documents to resolve specific religious issues, such as Notice No. 122/TB-CP, February 26, 2004, on specific guidelines for Khmer Theravada Buddhism, Directive 01/CT-TTg, February 4, 2004, on some works for Protestantism, Directive 1940/CT-TTg, dated December 31, 2008, by the Prime Minister on housing and land related to religions.

The 2016 Law on Beliefs and Religions was passed, solving the shortcomings and limitations of the 2004 Ordinance on Beliefs and Religions; continuing to institutionalize the Party’s opinions on beliefs and religions; concretizing the provisions of the 2013 Constitution on human rights and citizenship related to people’s right to freedom of belief and religion, and at the same time maintaining the compatibility with international as Vietnam increasingly integrates into the international community.

The 2016 Law on Beliefs and Religions regulates both the field of belief and religion to ensure compliance with the provisions of the 2013 Constitution which stipulates the right to freedom of belief and religion; belief activities and religious activities; religious organizations; rights and obligations of agencies, organizations, and individuals related to belief and religious activities. The Law specifically provides for legal frameworks on beliefs and religions: (1) Belief activities; (2) Religious activities of believers, (3) Activities of religious dignitaries; (4) Recognition of legal entities and religious organizations; (5) Activities of congresses and conferences held by religious organizations; (6) Training of dignitaries; (7) Promotion, ordination and transfer of dignitaries; (8) Printing, publishing scriptures, producing religious items; (9) Land, construction and repair of places of worship; (10) Charitable and social activities of individuals and religious organizations; (11) Foreigners participating in religious activities in Vietnam; (12) International relations of religious organizations(8), etc.

By setting the scope of regulation and legal frameworks, it translates the Party’s policies on religion into real life In other words, it allows religious believers and dignitaries to enjoy those new guidelines and policies on religions, creating conditions for effective and efficient state management of belief and religion activities.

2. Changes in religious life in Vietnam during the renovation period

On the religious activities of believers. All religious activities of believers at home and places of worship under traditional rules and rituals have been restored. Directive No. 01/CT-TTg allows the registration of concentrated religious activities not only for Protestantism but also for other religions. In particular, large-scale concentrated religious activities were implemented: Vesak 2008, Vesak 2014, Vesak 2019 of Buddhism; Opening Ceremony of the Catholic Jubilee Year 2010; 100 years Celebration of Protestantism in Vietnam 2011, 500 years Celebration the Protestant Reformation (1517-2017), etc., with the participation of thousands of Vietnamese and international believers.

On recognition of religious organizations. Before the renovation, just three religions in the country were recognized: the Vietnamese Protestant Church (1958), the Vietnam Bishops’ Conference (1980), and the Vietnamese Buddhist Sangha (1981). Since the renovation until 2020, the State recognized 38 religious’ organizations, of which 04 have been granted registration, increasing the number of recognized religious organizations with legal status to 41. It can be said that almost all religions in Vietnam are operating normally in terms of organization and are subject to the law(9).

On training of religious dignitaries. Before the renovation, there were only a few training institutions, leading to a situation of “underground training”. Currently 62 institutions are operating across the whole country for training dignitaries, of which there are 17 university-level institutions (04 Buddhist institutes, 09 Catholic seminarians, 03 Protestant Bible schools, etc.) with over 10 thousand students. There are up to 1,200 religious officials studying for master’s and doctoral degrees abroad.

On the publication of scriptures. Before the renovation, almost no religious books and scriptures were published. Since the renovation, particularly since the establishment of the Religion Publishing House (1999), every year, more than 500 books have been published with millions of copies. Notably, more than a million Bibles have been published. At the same time, there are 15 newspapers and magazines - the official voices of religious organizations.

On land, construction, and repair of places of worship. Currently, religions have over 30,000 places of worship. All have been restored and repaired, of which about 40% are restored and repaired on a large scale, and nearly 10,000 new places of worship have been built. Some religious sites are built on a large scale, such as the system of monasteries: Truc Lam Tay Thien Monastery (Vinh Phuc): 5.2 ha, Truc Lam Ham Rong Zen Monastery (Thanh Hoa): 10 ha, Zen Monastery Truc Lam Phu Lam (Quang Nam): 19.5 ha, etc. and particularly, Bai Dinh pagoda complex: 539 ha, Tam Chuc pagoda complex: 5,100 ha(10).

On guidance for activities. All recognized religious organizations in Vietnam strive to build and implement directions that align with the nation and abide by the law. Buddhism’s policy is Dharma - Nation - Socialism, the Vietnamese Catholic Church’s policy is Living the Gospel in the heart of the Nation, Protestantism’s policy is Living the Gospel, serving God, Serving the Fatherland and Nation, Cao Dai religion’s policy is Honor the country, Great faith, Hoa Hao Buddhism’s policy is For Dharma, for the Nation(11), etc. Implementing the defined progressive direction, religions actively participate in social and charitable activities with the State, contributing to solving social problems caused by the two wars against the French colonialists and the American imperialists, as well as newly arising social problems.

On social and charitable activities. Before the renovation, social and charitable activities of religions were not given must attention and were mostly performed spontaneously. Currently, the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha has 150 Tue Tinh institutions, 655 medical diagnosis and treatment institutions, 10 polyclinics, 1,000 love/charity classes, etc. The Catholic Church of Vietnam has 189 clinics, 159 institutions to help the disabled and orphans, 797 preschool educational institutions(12), etc.

On international relations. Before the renovation, almost no international religious activity took place, except for some Buddhist activities in relation to the Asian Buddhist Conference for Peace (ABCP) and the ordination of Catholic dignitaries by the Vatican. During the renovation period, the international relations of the religions were expanded. From 2005 to 2013, 205 foreign religious delegations entered Vietnam, and 1,343 Vietnamese religious groups went abroad. Currently, the Vietnamese Government has allowed the Vatican to appoint a resident representative (with the function of Ambassador) in relation to the Catholic Church of Vietnam and the State of Vietnam(13).

Along with the positive changes in the above-mentioned religious activities, the Party and State of Vietnam have properly solved religious issues arising in the ethnic-minority areas in the northern mountainous provinces and Central Highlands related to Protestantism. They have properly implemented policies specific to the Khmer people in the South who follow Theravada Buddhism.

Following the implementation of Directive No. 01/CT-TTg (2004), since 2005, in addition to efforts to resolve cultural conflicts in combination with the implementation of economic, cultural, and social development policies, localities in the Central Highlands and the Northwest have normalized Protestant religious activities through Protestant groups in villages and hamlets registering religious activities with local authorities.

By the end of 2020, in the Northwest 9 chapters were recognized and more than 800 Protestant groups registered with local authorities for religious activities. Other groups who have not registered still maintain their normal religious activities and prepare registration procedures as prescribed. Along with the registration of activities based on groups, the training of dignitaries of Protestant organizations has been performed. Some localities in the Northwest have recognized Protestant chapters and allowed the construction of places of worship.

Also, during this time, in the Central Highlands provinces, 311 chapters were recognized and 1,400 Protestant groups in villages and hamlets registered with local authorities for religious activities(14). At the same time, in the Central Highlands, other activities such as publishing scriptures (the Bible is translated into Ede, Ba Na, Gia Rai, etc.), along with other activities, such as establishing chapters, training dignitaries, construction and repair of places of worship, etc. are conducted normally. Localities and functional branches have made great efforts and achieved important results.

For Khmer Theravada Buddhism, in 2006, the Prime Minister allowed the establishment of the Khmer Theravada Buddhist Academy in Can Tho city. By 2022, it had trained 6 courses with more than 200 monks. At the same time, nearly 100 Khmer Theravada Buddhist monks study abroad, including masters and doctorates in Buddhism in Thailand, Cambodia, Myanmar, India, etc.

Meeting the needs of reading, studying, and researching of Khmer Theravada Buddhist monks and followers, with the support of the State, from 2004 to 2014, the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha and Buddhist representatives of Khmer Theravada Buddhism launched the printing of Khmer Theravada Buddhist scriptures with 208,300 copies. At the same time, the original Tripitaka, and scriptures in Khmer script were requested (156 sets in Tra Vinh, 60 sets in An Giang, 75 sets in Kien Giang, 52 sets in Soc Trang, 03 sets in Vinh Long, 03 sets in Tay Ninh, etc.)(15).

3. Some remarks

The renewal of perception and behavior towards religion by the Communist Party of Vietnam is an affirmation of the core values of Marxism - Leninism on religions, and at the same time, it is necessary to supplement and develop the practical issues that we have overcome. This was pointed out by President Ho Chi Minh: “Anyway, we are not forbidden to supplement the “historical basis” of Marxism by adding to it materials that were not available to Marx in his time. Marx built his doctrine based on a certain philosophy of history, but which history? What is European history? That is not all of humanity!”(16). Recently, the Ho Chi Minh National Academy of Politics implemented Program KX.02 (2018-2020): “Studying, summarizing, proposing to supplement and developing Marxism - Leninism - An important component of the ideological foundation of the Communist Party of Vietnam in the new context”.

Resolution No. 24/NQ-TW (1990) and Resolution No. 25/NQ-TW (2003), Directive No. 18/CT-TW (2018), etc., show the renovation in perception and behavior toward religions of the Communist Party of Vietnam through the fundamental approach and interpretation of religion. expanding access to religions, supplementing the causes of the formation and existence of religions and the objectiveness in assessing the role of religions. Thus, religion has been determined as a long-term issue, a spiritual need of part of the people, the right to freedom of belief and religion shall be fully and properly implemented; at the same time, the moral and cultural values of religion shall be recognized, and promoted, religions shall be considered as social resources contributing to the stability and development of the country.

During the renovation period, religious organizations carried out organizational activities, such as congresses, conferences, launched schools for training dignitaries, ordination, published religious scriptures, construction, and repairing places of worship, etc., creating a new face for religious life in Vietnam. Religions in Vietnam have expanded their international relations in many forms, becoming a channel for people-to-people diplomacy in the context of Vietnam’s “open-door” and international integration. The transformation of religious life in Vietnam in a positive direction has affirmed the correct guidelines and policies of the Party and State on religion, and at the same time rejected the false accusations of hostile forces about the policy on religion in Vietnam.

The renovation of policies on religions in Vietnam comes from the realities in the country, particularly the characteristics and situation of religions in Vietnam related to its history and present. It is also set within the context of Vietnam opening up and integrating internationally. Therefore, in approaching and assessing the situation of religions and religious policy in Vietnam, it is necessary to avoid being subjective, making conclusions based on one’s own understanding and perspectives; at the same time, avoid comments, evaluation without adequate information or based on subjective and one-sided information about religions and religious policies in Vietnam.

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Received: July 6, 2023; Revised: July 13, 2023; Approved for publication: July 24, 2023.

l Endnotes:

(1) Nguyen Que - Hoang Ly: Freedom of religion and belief is always guaranteed in Vietnam, https://cand.com.vn, June 13, 2022.

(2) Nguyen Thanh Xuan: Resolution 24-NQ/TW - Milestone for reforming policies on religions in Vietnam (30th anniversary of religious work renovation in Vietnam 1990-2020), Journal of Religious Affairs, No. 10-2020.

(3) Government Committee for Religious Affairs: Resolution No. 40/NQ-TW dated October 1, 1981, issued by the Party on religious affairs in the new situation, Hanoi, 1981.

(4), (5) Government Committee for Religious Affairs: Resolution No. 25-NQ/TW dated March 12, 2003, issued by the 9th Party Central Committee on Religious Affairs and State management of Religions, Hanoi, 2003.

(6) CPV: Documents of the 13th National Party Congress, vol.I, National Political Publishing House, Hanoi, 2021, p.171.

(7) Refer to Government Committee for Religious Affairs: Resolution No. 24-NQ/TW dated October 16th, 1990, by the Politburo on strengthening religious affairs in the new situation; Resolution No. 25-NQ/TW dated March 12, 2003, by the 9th Central Committee of the Party on religious affairs and state management of religions.

(8) Government Committee for Religious Affairs: Law on Beliefs and Religions and Decree detailing some articles and measures to implement the Law on Beliefs and Religions, Religion Publishing House, Hanoi, 2019.

(9) Government Committee for Religious Affairs: Achievements in implementing policies and laws on religions in Vietnam in the renovation period, Hanoi, 2021.

(10), (13) Nguyen Thanh Xuan: Numbers related to religious life in Vietnam during the renovation period, Journal of Religious Affairs, No. 6-2019.

(11) Government Committee for Religious Affairs: A set of documents on organization and practice of religions in Vietnam, Religion Publishing House, Hanoi, 2013.

(12) Vu Chien Thang: Religions participating in the development and defense of the Fatherland, Journal of Religious Affairs, No. 8-2019.

(14) Government Committee for Religious Affairs: Summary of Protestantism (As of April 2020).

(15) Vietnam Buddhist Sangha: Conference to summarize 10 years of implementation of Notice No. 122 issued by the Prime Minister (2004-2014), Hanoi, 2014.

(16) Ho Chi Minh: The Complete Works, vol.1, National Political Publishing House, Hanoi 2002, p.465.