Seminar "Implementation of the Law on Beliefs and Religions in Vietnam Today"

Professor Dr. Nguyen Van Kim - Vice Rector of the University, delivered the opening speech.

Since January 2018, the Law on Beliefs and Religions has been implemented in Vietnam through Decree 162/2017/ND-CP, which details certain provisions and measures for the implementation of the Law on Beliefs and Religions. This Decree was developed through discussions among numerous scientific and administrative agencies and contains legal provisions related to seven articles of the aforementioned law. In practice, this Decree has begun to permeate the social and religious life of our country.

In this context, the Group for Strong Research on Religion and the Rule of Law of the Faculty of Political Science, University of Social Sciences and Humanities, proposed organizing a workshop to study the experiences of implementing laws on religion and belief in Southeast Asian countries and Vietnam, thereby contributing to promoting the positive aspects of the new law, while also pointing out the problems arising from the implementation of the Law on Belief and Religion in Vietnam.

In his opening remarks at the workshop, Professor Nguyen Van Kim (Vice Rector of the University), representing the Board of Directors, highly appreciated the initiative and role of the strong Research Group on Religion and the Rule of Law, led by Professor Do Quang Hung, which has actively contributed to the process of perfecting the State's religious policy; and at the same time conducted research and evaluated the practical implementation of the Law on Beliefs and Religions.

After a period of implementation, the Law on Beliefs and Religions has had a positive impact on religious life. To date, the Vietnamese State has recognized and granted registration to 43 organizations belonging to 16 religions with over 26 million followers, nearly 56,000 religious dignitaries, over 145,000 religious officials, and more than 29,000 places of worship. State agencies have permitted the organization of training courses in theology, doctrine, and religious law for over 18,000 people.

The Law on Beliefs and Religions, now in effect, contributes to promoting religious activities in accordance with the law; the positive moral values ​​of religions are promoted in social life. Religions actively participate in social movements, rural development, environmental protection, and climate change adaptation... The international activities of religious organizations are strengthened, contributing to uniting overseas Vietnamese with religious beliefs towards national development. People with or without religious beliefs all benefit from the positive aspects of the Law on Beliefs and Religions within the framework of the law.

The workshop had two approaches: Firstly, the methods and experiences in implementing legal documents related to religious life in countries around the world, especially in Southeast Asia; secondly, the analysis and evaluation of the content, enforceability, and practical effectiveness of these Decrees in current religious and belief life in Vietnam, the initial practical results, and the issues raised by the Law on Beliefs and Religions.

The workshop delved into key topics: analyzing the significance of collaborative research on religion; clarifying the theoretical and practical values ​​of religious research activities; identifying current challenges in religious research and prospects for collaborative research on religion, as well as related issues such as the rule of law and religious belief laws; and exchanging experiences and knowledge between research and state management agencies on religion, further serving the cause of reforming the Party and State's religious policies.