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.

In the view of the country's spiritual leaders, however, the new decree has added regulations that will further restrict religious freedoms. Two of the most significant changes revolve around financial reporting and the rights of local officials to suspend religious activities for unspecified "serious violations."

The decree requires that all finances and in-kind goods be reported within 20 days of receipt. Yet this rule is impossible to follow for many religious communities, since they are often not registered due to the government's stringent registration criteria. As a result, the requirement to report income, as well as expenditures, may be onerous for many churches throughout the country.

A third of the policies presented in the Decree 95 document focus on suspending religious activities for various violations. Such infractions include "infringing on the morality of our indigenous culture" and "using religion for personal aggrandizement." The use of such vague terminology could allow local Communist authorities to shut down any group considered a threat to the authoritarian government in Vietnam.

For Christians in Vietnam, how the new rules will actually play out is yet to be seen, as not all religious regulations have been strictly enforced in the past. As one local church leader states, "In Vietnam everything is open; everything is negotiable." Despite the new regulations, Hien Vu from the Institute for Global Engagement is confident that the country's pastors and church leaders will remain steadfast and resilient. "They are used to these restrictions," he explains. "We'll deal with it when it comes; but we'll do whatever God calls us to do." For more reports on the challenges facing Christians in Vietnam, go to our country report.

On behalf of church leaders throughout Vietnam, pray that God will grant them wisdom as they deal with the outcome of the newly implemented regulations. May their ministries not in any way be thwarted by the potential challenges, but rather further thrive due to the help and guidance provided by our Heavenly Father. For believers who have been arrested or otherwise persecuted for their faith in Jesus, ask the Lord to impart to them His sustaining grace and strength so they will remain resilient amid opposition. Also, pray for the outpouring of God's Spirit upon the citizens of this country in general, leading all those who view Christianity as "a threat" to acknowledge their need for repentance and salvation through Christ.

  • 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.

Vietnam News

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • 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.