~ Le Vięt Nam, aujourd'hui. ~
The Vietnam News

Year :     [2007]      [2006]      [2005]      [2004]      [2003]      [2002]      [2001]      [2000]      [1999]      [1998]      [1997]

Vietnam ensures citizens’ rights to freedom of belief and religion

Vietnam’s consistent policy is to respect and ensure citizens’ rights to freedom of belief and religion. These rights were stated in the country’s constitution and other legal documents, including the Ordinance on Belief and Religion, said Vietnamese Foreign Ministry (FM) spokesperson Le Dung.

The FM spokesperson made the statement on September 17 while answering foreign reporters’ questions about Vietnam’s response to the 2007 Annual Report on International Religious Freedom released by the US Department of State on September 15. Spokesman Dung said: “In practice, Vietnam has so far paid due attention to, and created favourable conditions for, the development of religion in the country. Followers and clerics of different religious sects are allowed to exercise their beliefs in the normal way.”

“Vietnam-US relations have seen rapid development in various fields. Meetings and delegation exchanges between the two countries have contributed to promoting both sides’ understanding about issues of mutual concern, including the religious issue. Although, the annual report prepared by the US Department of State contained some nonobjective findings and inaccurate assessments, it has recognised the real and positive developments on religion in Vietnam.”

Nhan Dan - September 18, 2007.