The Party and State of Vietnam always respect people’s rights to
religious and belief freedom, and ensures all religions observe the law,
Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung has said.
Dung made
the statement at a working session with leaders of the Government’s
Committee for Religious Affairs in Hanoi on February 26.
The Party and State attach great importance to the State management of religions and mass mobilisation work, he added.
The Government leader asked the committee to bring into full paly its
achievements and overcome limitations and shortcomings while better
performing the State management of religions, firstly as an advisor on
building related institutions and policies.
The committee is also required to intensify its inspection of the implementation of the law on religions.
Dung highlighted awareness work in the Party’s guidelines and the State’s policies regarding religions.
He stressed the need to be vigilant against hostile forces that take
advantage of religions to undermine national unity and political-social
order.
Vietnam is home to 13 religions and 36
religious organisations licensed by the State, 24 million followers (27
percent of the total population), 83,000 dignitaries and 25,000
worshipping sites.
Non-religious people also have
worshipping rituals dedicated to their ancestors, gods and to those who
made great contributions to the nation.
The rituals are reflected in various festivals different across the country.
The head of the committee, Pham Dung, who is also Deputy Interior
Minister, said religious activities basically abide by the law, and
religious organisations take an active part in social life, especially
in the fields of charity and humanitarian work.
The
organisations have helped bring Vietnam closer to the world, and
introduce the country’s renewed religious policies as well as changes in
the religious life to international friends.
However,
Pham Dung said the State management of religions still shows
limitations and shortcomings, such as the shortage of legal documents on
religions and beliefs, and legal documents that remain outdated in the
context of international integration.
Along with
difficulties regarding the organisation and officers in charge of the
State management of religions, he also pointed out the lack of direction
in belief activities in regions across Vietnam .
Illegal missionary work and superstition still exist among ethnic minority groups and at border areas, he said.-VNA