Christian Prisoner Released

According to VOM contacts, one of the "Mennonite Six" arrested in March 2004, was released on March 3, 2005.  Evangelist Nguyen Van Phuong appeared to be in fair health when he was met by his wife and one-year-old son.  He is the third to be released in recent months.  Two brothers, Nguyen Huu Nghia and Nguyen Thanh Nhan, were released in early December 2004.

Le Thi Hong Lien
Concern continues for those still in prison. At last report, Ms. Le Thi Hong Lien was being held in Tong Le Chan prison in Binh Phuoc province.  She has suffered tremendous emotional and psychological torture.  In mid-February, her father Nguyen Quang Du was able to visit her and reported that her health is very bad.  Despite her severe mental condition, she is not due to be released from prison until June 2005.  The Voice of the Martyrs condemns the continued mistreatment of Ms. Le Thi Hong Lien and calls for her immediate release.

Appeal hearings for the other two, Nguyen Hong Quang, general secretary of the Vietnam Mennonite Church, and Pham Ngoc Thach, have been postponed.  No hearing date has been announced.  On March 4, the wife of Nguyen Hong Quang and acting president of the Vietnam Mennonite Church, Le Thi Phu Dung, sent a letter to the Vietnamese president.  In her letter, she outlined the persecution facing the Mennonite Church in Vietnam and asked for fair treatment.  A translation of that letter is available on our website. 

Concerned readers are encouraged to contact government officials on behalf of these and other suffering Christians in Vietnam.  More details and contact information are available online (click here).

Continue to pray for those imprisoned for their faith in Vietnam.  Pray that appeals will be successful and that the Le Thi Phu Dung's letter will be favourably received.  Pray for safety for those advocating on behalf of Vietnamese Christians.

For more information on the persecution of Christians in Vietnam, click here.  The April edition of The Voice of the Martyrs newsletter will feature the arrest and plight of the "Mennonite Six."  Special web features including reports and video footage will be made available to newsletter subscribers.  To subscribe today, click here.

  • Current Ministry Project

    By helping to provide solid Biblical teaching and training uniquely suited to the needs of a specific tribal group, VOMC is able to equip members of Vietnam’s persecuted church to stand firm in their faith and reach out to others in their communities with the powerful message of the Gospel.

    Project Fund: Underground Church

  • Country Information

    Population
    104,799,174 (2023 est.)

    Ethnicity (%)
    Kinh [Viet] (85.3), Tay (1.9), Thai (1.9), Muong (1.5), Khmer (1.5), Mong (1.4), Nung (1.1), Hoa (1), others (5.5)

    Religion (%)
    Catholic (6.1), Buddhist (7.9), Protestant (1), Other (0.8) none (86.3%)

    Leader
    President To Lam (May 2024)

    Government type
    Communist state

    Legal system
    Civil law system

    Source: CIA World Factbook

    Pray for Vietnam

    We can thank the Lord for the tremendous witnessing efforts and steadfast faith demonstrated by the persecuted Christians of Vietnam. May they not be intimidated by governmental stipulations but rather encouraged to stand firm on the promises of God – relying on Him for the wisdom, diplomacy and favour required to deal appropriately with the authorities. Pray for radical changes to take place in the hearts of the country’s leaders, especially those who are responsible for implementing and administering Vietnam's laws, so that the work of the Gospel will continue to thrive.

  • Pray for Vietnam
    We can thank the Lord for the tremendous witnessing efforts and steadfast faith demonstrated by the persecuted Christians of Vietnam. May they not be intimidated by governmental stipulations but rather encouraged to stand firm on the promises of God – relying on Him for the wisdom, diplomacy and favour required to deal appropriately with the authorities. Pray for radical changes to take place in the hearts of the country’s leaders, especially those who are responsible for implementing and administering Vietnam's laws, so that the work of the Gospel will continue to thrive.

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Vietnam News

  • New Believer Slain by Unknown Assailants
    Several homes are surrounded by trees on a hillside.
    A village in Vietnam.
    Photo: Flickr / Michael Mooney (cc)
     

    In August of this year, a widower and father of two referred to as "Brother Man" came to faith in Christ. When news of the believer's conversion became known, he began to encounter intense pressure from local authorities.

    In the first incident, Brother Man was ordered to leave his home. When he refused to do so, the local authorities then confiscated his land and forbade him from contacting any other Christians. Despite the opposition, the follower of Jesus remained firm in his newfound faith.

    Read more...

  • Location of 11 Christian Prisoners Unknown
    A prison is in an open area next to mountains in Vietnam.
    A prison in Vietnam
    Photo: VOMC
     

    Human rights organizations around the world are raising concerns about the fate of 11 Christian prisoners in Vietnam. The Christian men were all sentenced to prison at different times between 2011 and 2016. It has recently come to light that their whereabouts remain a mystery, and that the believers who should have completed their sentences by now were not yet released to return home.

    Read more...

  • Christian Found Dead After Meeting with Police
    A meeting of believers in Vietnam.
    Pray that believers in Vietnam will remain faithful to Christ.
    Photo: VOMC

    On March 8th, the body of Pastor Y Bum Bya was found hanging from a tree at a cemetery near his home in the Dak Lak Province of Vietnam. Though local authorities declared the Christian leader's death a suicide, reports indicate that his body showed signs of torture. The believer's death happened shortly after he had been summoned to meet with police.

    Read more...

  • New Regulations Bring Tighter Restrictions
    Flags of the Communist Party of Vietnam and the nation of Vietnam are flying together.
    Flags of Vietnam and the Communist Party of Vietnam.
    Photo: Wikipedia / Vuong Tri Binh (cc)

    With the release of Decree 95, which took effect on March 30th, Vietnamese governing officials declared that the new regulations they were instituting would ensure freedom of belief for all people within the country, enhancing the responsibilities of individual agencies and organizations. The decree expands on the "Law on Belief and Religion" that was implemented in 2018, which outlines additional policies and procedures regulating religious activities in Vietnam.

    Read more...

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