Religion - an important field of study in Vietnam and around the world.

Associate Professor Tran Thi Kim Oanh - Head of the Department of Religious Studies, Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities, Vietnam National University, Hanoi, shared: "Knowledge about religion and beliefs is extremely rich, vibrant, and closely intertwined with our cultural, economic, and social lives. It is a source that nourishes the ideology and spiritual world of humankind, helping us understand the origins and identity of our community and nation."

Furthermore, modern social life is witnessing the emergence of new religious and belief phenomena that require explanation and evaluation from the perspective of religious studies. Therefore, this is an important field of study in Vietnam as well as globally, and society urgently needs a workforce of university graduates with in-depth knowledge and skills in religious studies."

Understanding religion also helps individuals enhance their understanding and behavior towards spiritual and religious culture in their lives.

The central area of ​​spiritual life

Associate Professor Tran Thi Kim Oanh, Head of the Department of Religious Studies at the University of Social Sciences and Humanities, Vietnam National University, Hanoi, stated that religion is a form of social consciousness, a social entity, and a need of a segment of humanity. Religion is both a part of social consciousness and possesses cultural and conservative characteristics, making its development very complex.

Vietnam is a multi-ethnic, multi-religious country. Almost all forms of religion, from ancient to modern, from East to West, are present in Vietnam. The existence and development of religion impact and influence various aspects of economic, political, cultural, and social life.

According to current estimates, 95% of the population in our country has religious beliefs. The country currently has nearly 8,000 festivals, including over 7,000 folk festivals, 332 historical and revolutionary festivals, 544 religious festivals, 10 festivals imported from abroad, and more than 40 other festivals.

Regarding religion, there are currently 14 religions and 42 religious organizations recognized and registered by the State. According to incomplete statistics, the 14 religions have approximately 24 million followers, over 83,000 religious leaders, over 250,000 religious officials, 46 religious training institutions, and over 25,000 places of worship.

In our country, freedom of belief and religion is one of the human rights and fundamental rights of citizens, stipulated in the Constitution and given attention by the Party and the State, which have enacted many policies to recognize, respect, protect, and ensure its implementation.

The Party and the State also identify religious affairs as a strategic issue of significant importance in the cause of national construction and defense, in the process of implementing democracy, ensuring human rights, and the basic rights and obligations of citizens. In 2016, the Law on Beliefs and Religions was enacted, institutionalizing the views of the Party and the Constitution to ensure the freedom of belief and religion for all citizens.

Associate Professor Dr. Tran Thi Kim Oanh shared: "Religious studies is an interdisciplinary field of science and a core area in the cultural and spiritual life of society. Cultural currents and religions from around the world easily penetrate Vietnam due to favorable geographical and historical conditions, contributing to the diversity of belief and religion types. Vietnamese beliefs and religions are characterized by their fusion, intertwining, and harmony with each other."

In particular, traditional beliefs reflect the rich and diverse spiritual life, tolerance, generosity, compassion of the Vietnamese people, and the spirit of national unity.

These factors make it easy for Vietnamese people to integrate with many different beliefs and religions. Furthermore, each belief and religion, while possessing its own distinct cultural characteristics, is influenced by national traditions, contributing to the beauty of the diverse and rich cultural identity of the nation.

Beliefs in religion and faith are embedded in worldviews and ideologies, influencing how people perceive society and the world, and influencing the decisions they make daily. Vietnamese people have left a profound mark on economic, political, and social life through their religious and faith-based activities.

According to Associate Professor Dr. Tran Thi Kim Oanh, such an important and extensive field with significant influence requires a team of people with fundamental and in-depth training in beliefs and religions to participate directly or indirectly in the State management of beliefs and religions in a manner consistent with the Constitution and laws of the Vietnamese State and respecting international treaties. Knowledge of Religious Studies also has wide applications in various social fields such as culture, spirituality, art, literature, music, and business.

 Which universities offer a Bachelor of Religious Studies degree?

Religious studies is currently taught at institutions such as: the University of Social Sciences and Humanities, Vietnam National University Ho Chi Minh City, the Ho Chi Minh National Academy of Politics, Hanoi Pedagogical University 1, the People's Security University, the School of Religious Affairs of the Government's Religious Affairs Committee, the Vietnam Academy of Social Sciences... However, the Department of Religious Studies under the University of Social Sciences and Humanities, Vietnam National University Hanoi, is currently the only unit in the country that offers a Bachelor's degree in Religious Studies.

Associate Professor Dr. Tran Thi Kim Oanh informed that the Bachelor of Religious Studies program equips students with fundamental and systematic knowledge about religion and beliefs, as well as basic knowledge of interdisciplinary sciences related to Religious Studies; ensuring scientific, modern, and ideological soundness to help learners achieve a basic understanding of religious and belief phenomena in history and the present.

The Department of Religious Studies researches and trains students from an interdisciplinary perspective and is oriented towards three specialized fields:Theory and history of religious studies; World and Vietnamese beliefs and religions; Religion and social life.

The first specialization focuses on studying the theoretical aspects of Religious Studies to shed light on religious practice. The main subjects include:General theories on religion and beliefs, Philosophy of religion, Religion, beliefs and festivals, The Party and State's views on religious issues, Law on belief and religion, Non-Marxist conceptions of religion, Religion in the process of building socialism in Vietnam, Religion in the context of globalization and current social issues...

The second specialization focuses on identifying the characteristics of major religions and faiths in Vietnam and around the world, from perspectives such as religious consciousness, worship practices, and organizational structure. As a multi-religious country, Vietnam has both religions imported from the West and indigenous religions. Major world religions such as Buddhism, Christianity, Islam, Hinduism, and Judaism, and their formation and development in Vietnam, are central to the curriculum.

The beliefs of ethnic communities are quite diverse. Students will learn to gain a deep understanding of indigenous beliefs in Vietnam such as: ancestor worship, mother goddess worship, village tutelary deity worship, and the beliefs of the 54 ethnic groups.

Typical subjects include:History of religious organizations, Comparative religious studies, Vietnamese beliefs, Ethnic religions, Taoism in Vietnam, Khmer Theravada Buddhism - history and present, Religious culture of the Southwestern region, Taoism in Vietnam, Catholicism in Vietnam, Protestantism in Vietnam - history and present, Islam in Vietnam, Buddhism and Confucianism in Vietnam...

The specialization in the role and relationship of religion to social life is considered a very fascinating and dynamic area of ​​knowledge. Religion is viewed from many perspectives, competing with its relationship to culture (art, music, architecture...), politics, economics, and real life... Specific subjects include:Literature, art and culture, tourism, spirituality and religion; Religious symbols - the foundation of culture; Religious music and art; Concepts of Goodness and Beauty through the symbols of national Buddhist art and literature; Religious ethics and contemporary Vietnamese social ethics; Religious criticism; Han Nom and calligraphy in religion; Religious journalism and media; Social charity work and education and training in religion...

Graduates with a Bachelor's degree in Religious Studies are always well-received by society.

Associate Professor Dr. Tran Thi Kim Oanh stated that currently, most people working in religious management at ministries, departments, and localities have not received formal training or standardized education through schools, but mainly acquire knowledge through practical experience. Therefore, the societal need for graduates in Religious Studies is quite urgent.

Graduates with a Bachelor's degree in Religious Studies can fill diverse job positions. They can work in agencies responsible for formulating policies and guidelines of the Party and State; agencies and organizations within the political system; and socio-economic organizations. Currently, the central and local government agencies responsible for religious affairs are the Government Religious Affairs Committee and the Religious Affairs Departments of the local Departments of Internal Affairs. These are potential recruitment units that are very suitable for the professional skills of Religious Studies graduates.

In addition, after graduation, students of Religious Studies can work at the Fatherland Front, the Ethnic Affairs Committee, and mass mobilization agencies at all levels; manage and preserve heritage, culture, and beliefs in localities; work in jobs related to religious art and architecture; or work as coordinators and managers in government and non-governmental projects on cultural, social, religious, and belief development.

Businesses dealing with religious-related products also represent a potential job market for graduates in this field. Journalism and media activities in the religious sector are also suitable areas for graduates in Religious Studies.

In addition, students of Religious Studies can participate in research and teaching activities in the fields of Religion, Beliefs, and Culture at universities and research institutes. The Religious Studies program also meets the need for in-depth understanding of a segment of religious leaders in various religions.

"Knowledge of religion, beliefs, and the spiritual life of a community, viewed from a classical and theoretical perspective, helps us to deeply understand its origins and philosophy, to see the positive values ​​of beliefs and religions, and to apply them to life."

At the same time, unhealthy and negative misuses of religion are identified and combated. Understanding religion also helps individuals elevate their understanding and behavior towards spiritual and religious culture in their lives.

Religion is a social phenomenon that will never disappear; therefore, the science of religion always holds an important position alongside the cultural and spiritual life of individuals and nations. Religious studies always have valuable applications in social life, and graduates in religious studies will always be well-received by society," affirmed Associate Professor Dr. Tran Thi Kim Oanh.