Vietnam Improves Understanding of New Religious Movements

The event had leaders from the Government Committee for Religious Affairs, officials, and 126 delegates from Lang Son Province.
Tran Thi Minh Nga said that belief and religion are important parts of Vietnamese culture and community relations.
Vietnam has about 80,000 belief establishments, with over 35,000 having management boards, and around 70% registered their activities.
Many private temples and shrines are not managed well and some operate against the law, causing public concern.
Tran Thi Minh Nga said that ethnic minority communities in Lang Son have diverse belief practices that are changing.
Respected community figures help preserve positive cultural values and prevent the misuse of belief and religion.
Delegates learned about the new Law on Belief and Religion, approved on April 23, 2026, and effective January 1, 2027.
The new law improves existing regulations and addresses online religious activities and digital transformation.
Delegates received briefings on the law's new provisions, including online activities and registration procedures.
The conference covered Party guidelines, State policies, and current developments in belief-related activities.
A key topic was identifying legitimate spiritual needs and distinguishing them from unlawful activities.
The conference allowed participants to discuss and share experiences on real-world situations.
The event aimed to improve the knowledge and skills of grassroots belief workers and community figures.
The conference ended with a statement by Thuy Hong.