A delegation of 24 volunteers from the Hanoi branch of the Missionary Training Centre (MTC) under the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (LDS) and five staff members from the Asia Area Office of LDS Charities (LDSC) in Hong Kong (China) led by President of the Hanoi branch Rob Howell held a working session with the Vietnam Union of Friendship Organisations (VUFO) in Hanoi on December 16.

The Ministry of Home Affairs’ decision to recognise the “Hoi thanh Phuc am Toan ven Vietnam” (Vietnam Full Gospel Church) as a religious organisation was announced at a ceremony in Ho Chi Minh City on December 27.

The Government Committee for Religious Affairs released the white book on religions and religious policies in Vietnam at a conference held by the Ministry of Information and Telecommunications in Hanoi on March 9.

The General Confederation of the Evangelical Church of Vietnam (South) convened its 48th General Assembly and the 10th general assembly of bishops in Ho Chi Minh City on July 5.

A visiting delegation of the Government Committee for Religious Affairs, headed by its Chairman Vu Hoai Bac, held talks to those from the Lao Front for National Development (LFND) Central Committee in the Lao capital of Vientiane on June 7.

The 36th General Assembly of the Evangelical Church of Vietnam (North) opened in Giao Thuy district of Nam Dinh province on April 27, drawing more than 550 delegates.

The Government Committee for Religious Affairs has pointed out the need to tighten the management of religious dignitaries and officials in the face of recent law and religious rule violations by some Buddhist monks.

The Government Committee for Religious Affairs will always accompany Buddhist dignitaries and followers in Ho Chi Minh City in the fight against COVID-19, Vice Chairman of the committee Nguyen Tien Trong pledged at a working session with leaders of the Executive Board of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha (VBS)’s chapter in the city on September 20.

Leaders or representatives of religious organisations, establishments and congregations will be held accountable if their places of worship fail to follow COVID-19 prevention and control rules resulting in virus transmission among dignitaries, followers, and the community, according to the Government Committee for Religious Affairs.

The Government Committee for Religious Affairs held a meeting with foreign religious practitioners on April 27 to inform about legal regulations on beliefs and religions, and the realisation of the right to freedom of belief or religion of foreigners legally residing in Vietnam.

The Government Committee for Religious Affairs at the Ministry of Home Affairs and authorities in HCM City hosted a meeting with local Protestant leaders on April 2 as they celebrated Easter.

The Government Committee for Religious Affairs has asked leaders of religious organisations to continue with COVID-19 prevention and control measures in the new situation.

The Hoa Hao Buddhist Sangha’s Central Executive Committee held a ceremony in the Mekong Delta province of An Giang on July 8 to mark the sect’s 81st founding anniversary, attended by Buddhists from 18 cities and provinces nationwide.

The Government Committee for Religious Affairs on March 20 asked religious organisations and worship places to suspend festivals, conferences and activities for large crowds.

Head of the Government Committee for Religious Affairs Vu Chien Thang has extended his Easter greetings to the Episcopal Council of the Vietnam Catholic Church, bishops of dioceses, and dignitaries and followers of Protestant churches in the country.

The Christian Fellowship Church of Vietnam (CFCV) convened its sixth congress in Hoc Mon district, Ho Chi Minh City on November 13 with the participation of more than 700 delegates from more than 40 localities across the nation.

The Government Committee for Religious Affairs and the visiting Lao Front for National Construction (LFNC) delegation held talks on August 20 to share experience in the state management of religious affairs.

Head of the Government Committee for Religious Affairs Vu Chien Thang has expressed his wish that the Republic of Korea would continue supporting Vietnamese followers living and working in the country

Head of Vietnam’s Government Committee for Religious Affairs Vu Chien Thang said he wishes that the Cambodian Ministry of Cults and Religion would create favourable conditions for overseas Vietnamese following Buddhism and Caodaism in the country to join religious activities.

A conference to exchange experience in religious affairs between Vietnam and Cambodia kicked off in the Central Highlands province of Lam Dong on January 11 as part of a cooperation agreement between the Government Committee for Religious Affairs and the Cambodian Ministry of Religions and Cults.