The event saw the presence of Deputy Minister of Ministry for Home Affairs in charge of the GCRA Vũ Chiến Thắng, Vice Chairman of the GCRA Nguyễn Tiến Trọng, representatives from central concerning sectors and agencies, religious dignitaries and representatives of 43 religious congregations of foreigners in Vietnam.

The roundtable meeting aimed at creating an opportunity for the GCRA and concerning sectors and agencies, and representatives of foreign religious congregations in Vietnam to have exchanges on religious practices by foreigners and the right to freedom of belief and religion of foreigners lawfully residing in Vietnam.

Dignitaries and representatives of foreign religious congregations in Vietnam at the event

During the meeting, participating religious dignitaries and deacons were introduced with key contents of the Law on Belief and Religion 2016 related to foreigners' right to freedom of belief and religion, the Law on Foreigners' Entry in, Exit from, Transit through and Residence in Vietnam, and the GCRA’s online public service in the field of belief and religion at the event.

Slideshow video introducing belief and religious life in Vietnam

Director of GCRA’s Legislation and Inspection Department Nguyễn Thị Định delivers topic on the Law on Belief and Religion 2016

Head of Technical and Administrative Division under GCRA’s Information Center Dương Thanh Huyền introduces online public service in the field of belief and religion

During the roundtable meeting, foreign religious representatives raised practical issues related to the access and implementation of the state laws on belief and religion, registration procedures of visa and places for religious practices, and put forward recommendations for improving religious practices by foreigners in Vietnam, etc. These raised practical issues and recommendations have been appreciated and explained by officials from the GCRA.

Foreign religious dignitary speaks at the event

Speaking at the meeting, Deputy Minister Vũ Chiến Thắng affirmed the Vietnam’s consistent policy for respecting and safeguarding the right to freedom of belief and religion of all people, which has been institutionalized in the 2013 Constitution, the Law on Belief and Religion 2016, and related laws and decrees.

He also informed that the local authorities have been making favorable conditions for religious practices of dozens of foreign congregations registered with thousands of members at Vietnamese religious worshipping places or other legal venues, and for foreign dignitaries to preach at these religious congregations, as well as for foreigners in bringing religious publications and religious articles into Vietnam for their religious needs.

Posing for group photo