The national conference on religious affairs was co-chaired by Deputy Prime Minister Trương Hòa Bình, Minister of Home Affairs Lê Vĩnh Tân, Deputy Minister of Home Affairs Nguyễn Trọng Thừa and Chairman of the Government Committee for Religious Affairs Vũ Chiến Thắng.

 Chairman of Government Religious Committee Vũ Chiến Thắng delivers opening speech 

The year-end event drew the participation of representatives of concerning ministries and agencies, representative leaders of the provincial religious committee of all provinces and cities in the country, and all officials and staff of the government religious committee.

 Vice Chairman of Government Religious Committee Bùi Thanh Hà presents conference report

According to the conference report, the state sector on religious affairs has implemented functions and tasks according to the Prime Minister’s Decision 32 promulgated in 2018 with an additional function for the state administration on belief and competence of direct coordination with concerning ministries, agencies and localities, and direct reports to the Prime Minister on matters concerning the state administration on religion.

As reviewed at the conference in 2018, the state sector on religious affairs has fulfilled all assigned tasked, including the dissemination and implementation of the Law on Belief and Religion and its guiding Decree 162 taking effect since January 2018. Thanks to efforts of the entire political system, religious work saw positive results, noting that a majority of religious dignitaries and followers actively joined the national patriotic emulation campaigns.

The state administration of religion has also met increasing demands for registration operation of religious organizations, construction of worshipping facilities and external religious activities, etc.

In external - religious affairs, the Vietnam – Vatican relation has been consolidated and strengthened. At the seventh meeting of the Vietnam-Vatican Joint Working Group held in late 2018, the two sides agreed to upgrade the Vatican Representative in Vietnam from the level of non-resident envoy to resident envoy.

 Deputy Prime Minister Trương Hòa Bình speak at the conference

Speaking at the national conference Deputy Prime Minister Trương Hòa Bình has requested holding regular dialogues with religious organizations to acquire their feedback and promptly deal with lawsuits, especially those regarding land, in line with the Party guidelines and State law. 

The Deputy PM asked the Government’s Committee on Religious Affairs to work with ministries, agencies and localities to offer suggestions to the Government in the process of addressing complicated religious issues. 

The committee must stay resolute in punishing those that take advantage of religious affairs to incite the mass to violate laws, disturb social security and order, and sabotage the Party and State. 

At the same time, it must enhance external relations and instruct religious organizations to join the global and regional forums in line with the Party and State’s diplomatic policies, as well as responsibly join United Nations human rights forums. 

 Minister of Home Affairs Lê Vĩnh Tân delivers concluding speech at the conference

Participants at the year-end, national conference

PTT