The Quan Doi Nhan Dan (People’s Army) has carried an article on Vietnam’s religions and national unity. The VOVNews brings you the gist of the article.
Vietnam has more than 10 religions with around 20 million followers, accounting for one forth of the population. Vietnamese people, either religious or non-religious, are patriotic, hardworking, intelligent, brave and loyal to the Communist Party of Vietnam. They have gained significant achievements in national construction and defense, particularly over the past nearly 20 years of renovation process. The Party has always regarded religion as a major issue at different stages in the revolution. Religious affairs have also been institutionalized in the Constitution and other legal documents.
The second phase of the 7th Plenum of the Party Central Committee held earlier this year focused its discussion on bringing religious issues on track with the new stage of national development. The Plenum affirmed that the movement to encourage religious followers and dignitaries to contribute to patriotic campaigns and national unity has recorded remarkable progress. Religious practices have been undertaken in accordance with laws. Authorities at all levels have joined hands to accelerate socio-economic development and foil any attempts to undermine the Party and State under the cloak of religion. Religious activities recognized by the State have always been aimed at contributing to the national renewal process.
However, hostile forces have abused the issue of religion and belief to distort Vietnam’s policies. They say Vietnamese authorities restrict the freedom of religion and religious practices, oppress religion and detain religious dignitaries. Reality has denied such fabrications. Religious activities are supported by Vietnam’s legislation. The 1992 Constitution stipulates that Vietnamese citizens have the rights to freedom of religion and non-religion and all religions are equal before law.
Since 1945, the Vatican has appointed more than 70 local Bishops in Vietnam. The number of Buddhist monks and nuns jumped from 26,000 in 1993 to 33,000 in 2001. This is one of the highest rates in the world.
The 7th Party Central Committee Plenum mapped out key tasks to effectively implement religious affairs. Vietnam will continue to speed up socio-economic development to improve people’s material and spiritual lives while accelerating patriotic emulation movements and the promotion of cultural lifestyles among religious followers, dignitaries and sects. Other tasks cover the strengthening of State management, encouragement of religious followers’ patriotism and the fight against the abuse of religion and ethnic minority issues to sabotage national unity.
Vietnam holds that religion and belief aim to meet the spiritual demand of part of the population. As a result, the country has always pursued a constant policy of respecting and protecting the freedom of religion and non-discrimination between different religions as well as between religious and non-religious people and between religious followers and dignitaries. Vietnamese people, regardless of their religious backgrounds, are Vietnamese citizens and, therefore, must comply with the Constitution and laws. No force can undermine and sow division among the Vietnamese nation, which boasts thousands of years of civilization, culture and humanity.