Vietnam Claims Gains in Religious Freedom

A new report from the government of Vietnam says progress has been made over the past year in assuring religious freedom but acknowledged that problems remain.

“Progress has been made in the operation of religious organizations in accordance with the law and the common interest of the nation,” Le Quang Vinh, head of the government’s Committee on Religion, was quoted as saying Wednesday.

Vinh presented the findings at a national meeting, held this week in Hanoi to review 1998 religious affairs and discuss implementation of a new decree on religion, the official Vietnam News Agency said.

The news agency also said the year had been favorable to the printing of religious literature and the operation of religious schools, and added that Buddhist monks and nuns had been granted exit visas to travel overseas.

The Vietnamese government controls the printing of all religious literature. It also limits and approves all religious appointments in the state.

Recently, there has been an increasing official concern over the growth of evangelical Protestantism. In at least one area, authorities have attempted to force some people to sign pledges saying they will not adopt Protestantism.