Government Committee for Religious Affairs receives US Embassy’s representatives in Hanoi
08/08/2014
On August 4, 2014 at the headquarters of the Government Committee for Religious Affairs (GCRA), Mr. Bùi Thanh Hà, Vice-Chairman of the Committee had a meeting with a delegation from the Embassy of United States in Hanoi led by Mrs. Jenifer Neidhart, Political Officer of the Embassy.
Attending the meeting were also officials from the Departments of Protestant Affairs and International Cooperation, and the Committee Office.
Overview of the meeting
At the reception, Mr. Bùi Thanh Hà welcomed the delegation and briefed the guests on the religious situation in Vietnam as well as the guidelines and policies of the Party and State on belief and religion over the past time. According to Mr. Bùi Thanh Hà, currently, Vietnam recognized 37 religious organizations and 01 religious sect belonging to 13 religions, with over 24 million religious followers (about 27% overall population), 83,000 dignitaries and 25,000 worshipping places. Every year, Vietnam has about 8,000 belief and religious festivals. Religion in Vietnam is very diverse and there is no religious conflict. The Government of Vietnam always respects and guarantees the right to freedom of belief and religion for citizens. All religions are equal before the law.
Mrs. Jenifer Neidhart thanked the Government Committee for Religious Affairs for its updated information and highlighted progress in ensuring the right to freedom of belief and religion in Vietnam over the past time. She expressed her hope that there will be further cooperation opportunities between the GCRA and the US Embassy in Hanoi, contributing to promote relationship between Viet Nam and the US.
PH
