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| A religious gathering in the northern province of Hòa Bình. — VNS Photo Lê Việt Dũng |
HÀ NỘI — Respecting the freedom of belief and religion and implementing a national unity policy are consistent principles of the Party and State of Việt Nam.
Việt Nam is a country with various religions and beliefs that vary in structure, size, origin and influence on political, cultural, and social life in Việt Nam. The Vietnamese Party and State have consistently recognised religious and ethnic affairs as strategic issues of particular importance.
The Party and State aim to build a peaceful, independent, and united Việt Nam with wealthy people, a strong nation, and a democratic, fair, and civilised society, which serves as the common ground among religions, while respecting differences that do not conflict with the common interests of the nation and the people.
National spirit, humanitarian traditions, and tolerance are upheld to unite all Vietnamese people and invigorate the national unity bloc. In the current context when new religions and religious phenomena are emerging, it is urgent to prevent and resolutely combat acts that exploit beliefs and religions and activities that contravene legal provisions.
The Vietnamese Party and State also encourage the promotion of the positive cultural and ethical values of religions. This approach not only utilises and enhances the cultural, ethical, and humanitarian values that have crystallized in religions over thousands of years but also demonstrates the Party’s respect for these values, thus attract religious people to the national unity bloc. The State is committed to facilitating religious organisations' activities in accordance with their charters and legal regulations, thereby contributing positively to the cause of national construction and protection.
Religious organisations in Việt Nam actively engage in international exchanges with religious institutions worldwide in the spirit of peace and friendship. Many domestic religious organisations have invited foreign counterparts to visit and work in Việt Nam, and sought permission to conduct sermons and teachings at various religious establishments. Through these activities, religions in Việt Nam have enhanced information exchange, enabling foreign religious organisations to gain a clearer understanding of the state of religious freedom in the country.
According to Nguyễn Hữu Dũng, Vice President of the Central Committee of the Việt Nam Fatherland Front (VFF), the documents adopted by the 13th National Party Congress clearly say: "Promoting the fine cultural and ethical values and the resources of religions for the development of the nation."
Currently, common viewpoints regarding the resources of religions affirm the role of religion and considering religions' positive impacts as one of the important resources in the national construction and defence efforts. Those viewpoints recognise religions' spiritual and material resources, with a greater emphasis on spiritual resources, particularly the cultural and ethical values inherent in religions. It is asserted that resources of religions have contributed to all areas of national construction and defence, particularly in education, healthcare, social welfare, and humanitarian efforts.
Professor Thượng Mai Thanh, Head of the Management Board of Hà Nội Caodai parish, said that national unity is a precious long-lasting tradition of the Vietnamese people. Now, the strength of national unity is strongly affirmed, with religious solidarity being a wise policy of the Party that has been yielding many practical results in social life.
“To further harness the resources of religions effectively, the Việt Nam Fatherland Front needs to continue engaging and promoting the role of religious dignitaries,” Thanh recommended.
Highlighting the ethical and cultural values of certain religions in Việt Nam, Associate Professor Dr. Chu Văn Tuấn from the Institute of Religious Studies at the Việt Nam Academy of Social Sciences proposed that the focus should first be on promoting the values of religions in shaping the ethical standards and lifestyles of contemporary Vietnamese people.
Additionally, he suggested leveraging the ethical aspects of religion for public education through various formats, such as on information portals, social media, in religious spaces, and during festivals, to disseminate moral values, guide individuals towards goodness, and help citizens understand the importance of being responsible members of the community.
Recognising the significant role of religious affairs, Nguyễn Thị Kim Dung, Vice Chairwoman of the VFF Hà Nội Committee, said that recently, the VFF chapters at all levels in the city have focused on leading and directing the effective implementation of the Party's policies and the State's laws concerning religious affairs, facilitating the practice of religions and beliefs in accordance with legal provisions.
Based on the respect and assurance of the people's freedom of belief and religion, Việt Nam is resolutely fighting against hostile forces that exploit religions to undermine the revolution, while also respecting and promoting the fine values of religions.
This approach enriches the cultural heritage of the nation and serves as a crucial foundation for uniting people of all faiths towards the common national goal of building a solid national unity bloc for the purpose of “prosperous citizens, strong nation, and a fair, democratic, civilised society.” The promotion of national unity and religious solidarity is always linked to the need to maintain order across all aspects of social life. — VNS
