The Lao delegation included representatives from the LFNC, the Ministry of Home Affairs, the Ministry of Public Security and pastors of the Evangelical Church.

Joining the reception also included Pastor Lê Quốc Huy from the Vietnam General Baptist Church.

At the reception, Director Khanonglit Sisomboun thanked the GCRA for warm welcome. He shared with the host the purpose of the delegation’s working visit to Vietnam which is to learn about the coordination between central ministries and agencies with local authorities in the State administration on belief and religion; the State administration on exogenous religions; the collaboration with religious organizations to organize international religious festivals and events in Vietnam, including the Spring Love Festival held by the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association.

Speaking with the guests, Vice Chairman Nguyễn Tiến Trọng shared that each state body in Vietnam performs spcific functions and tasks prescribed by the Constitution and law. Regarding on religious affairs, concerning state bodies regularly hold exchanges and coordinate in the implementation of the Party and the State’s guidelines and polices on belief and religion. In addition, the Law on Belief and Religion and its Decree 162/2027/ND-CP also regulate the competence of concerning state bodies at all levels in charge of religious affairs.

He said that Vietnam is a multi-ethnic country. Religious organizations have been facilitated to carry out domestic and international affairs according to the religious charters and the State laws, and encouraged to engage in social activities. The State always respects and protects the freedom of belief and religion of people, including foreigners lawfully residing in Vietnam, he stated.

Vice Chairman Nguyễn Tiến Trọng also shared about activities of the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association in Vietnam, including the Spring of Love held in March this year in Ho Chi Minh city.

Pastor Lê Quốc Huy from the Vietnam General Baptist Church informed the guests that the Spring of Love was successfully organized by Evangelical Churches in Vietnam and the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association under the guidance and collaboration of the Ministry of Home Affairs, the GCRA and Ho Chi Minh city municipal authorities.

Responding to an inquiry by Rev. Pastor Saykham Singitthiphon, Vice Chairman of the Lao Evangelical Church, about religious training institutions according the Vietnam law, Head of the GCRA’s Protestant Affairs Division Thiều Thị Hương cited regulations of the Law on Belief and Religion relating to religious training and the operation and the curriculum of religious training institutions in general and the evangelical churches in particular.

Anh Khôi