By Gigi Kotze
On Saturday 30 March, Vietnam implemented a new decree requiring religious groups to provide financial records and granting local government officials the authority to suspend religious activities for unspecified “serious violations.” According to Nguyen Ti Dinh, a representative of Vietnam’s religious affairs committee, these guidelines aim to enhance the government’s management of religion, aligning with the 2018 Law on Belief and Religion, which mandates religious groups to register with the government.
Decree 95, unveiled in December 2023, took effect without prior public consultation. It expands on a previous decree (Decree 162) by including measures that enable the government to dissolve religious groups and impose additional regulations regarding donation reception and reporting. Some suggest its swift enactment was aimed at aiding Vietnam’s removal from the U.S. State Department’s Special Watch List for religious freedom violators, though a Christianity Today article reported that “religious liberty advocates and local church leaders fear the opposite outcome.”
The new decree expands the government’s financial oversight of churches, requiring religious organisations to submit reports on grant usage to the state agency within 20 days. While the stated aim is to enhance financial transparency, the reality is that many Protestant churches, especially house churches without government registration, find these rules nearly impossible to comply with. Vietnam’s stringent registration criteria, such as the church needing to exist for five years before applying, creates significant barriers. Consequently, some house churches are denied recognition, others have faced years of waiting with no progress, and many choose not to register due to the regulatory burdens.
Another area of uneasiness is that a significant portion of the decree’s 98-page document is dedicated to outlining the suspension of religious activities for what it deems as “serious violations.” Prohibited actions include “infringing on the morality of our indigenous culture” and “using religion for personal gain.” Vietnam, one of the few Communist nations remaining, could potentially use this vague language to halt any group perceived as a challenge to the government’s single-party control.
The Southeast Asian nation, with Christians comprising about 10% of its population, holds the 35th spot on the Open Doors World Watch List, which ranks the most challenging countries for Christians to live in. Being a Christian in this nation can lead to hostility and violence, particularly for non-traditional Protestants and converts from indigenous religions, especially in remote areas. While there’s been a slight decrease in familial and community pressure over the past year, violent attacks on believers and church properties, as well as arrests of church leaders, have seen a rise.
Amid these challenges, there are opportunities for the gospel to shine even brighter. The Bible is filled with stories of how God’s message of hope and redemption thrives in the face of adversity. When the early church faced persecution and restrictions, they found innovative ways to spread the Good News. In the face of potential restrictions, the mission remains the same: to share the love of Christ and make disciples (Matthew 28:19-20). Though the methods may change slightly, the message of hope in Jesus Christ remains constant.
As believers, we are called to pray for those in authority (1 Timothy 2:1-2) and to seek peace and justice (Matthew 5:9). Considering these developments, we need to be in prayer for Vietnam’s leaders. We also pray for strength and protection for our brothers and sisters in Vietnam who may face increased challenges in practising their faith. May they remain steadfast in their devotion to Christ, keeping their eyes on Jesus and the mission He has tasked them with.
Please pray with us for the following:
- Pray for wisdom for the government leaders and officials in Vietnam, that they may govern with true fairness and ultimately come to know Christ as their Lord and Saviour.
- Pray for pastors and church leaders in Vietnam to remain steadfast and resilient despite the new decree in effect.
- Pray for unity among the Christian community in Vietnam, that they may stand together in love and solidarity, that God would strengthen their bonds of fellowship, and that they may encourage one another in faith.
- Pray for creative ways for the gospel to spread in Vietnam, even amid restrictions, and for God to open doors for evangelism through personal interactions.