Communication about religion should not be limited to explanations or responses when issues arise. Instead, it should proactively tell Vietnam’s story through transparent data, lived realities and the voices of religious communities.

In an increasingly interconnected world, information gaps can lead to incomplete perceptions. For that reason, communication about religion should not simply respond to concerns when they emerge. It must actively present Vietnam’s story through transparent information, everyday religious life and the perspectives of those directly involved.

Filling information gaps to strengthen religious security

Vietnam is a multi-religious country, yet most religions practiced in the country originated elsewhere. Even indigenous faiths such as Hoa Hao Buddhism, Cao Dai and Tu An Hieu Nghia have clergy, followers and religious representatives living abroad.

According to figures compiled by the Government Committee for Religious Affairs under the Ministry of Ethnic and Religious Affairs, approximately 5.3 million Vietnamese citizens are living, studying and working in 109 countries and territories worldwide. Of these, around 2.5 million are followers of various religions.

These figures illustrate the extensive international connections maintained by religious organizations in Vietnam, creating opportunities for greater religious exchange and cooperation as the country continues to integrate globally.

At the same time, differences in social context, perspectives and approaches can lead to varying interpretations of religious life. Without timely information, certain issues may be misunderstood or viewed through incomplete or biased lenses.

According to Nguyen Duc Toan, a master's degree holder and official at the Government Committee for Religious Affairs, current conditions require a more proactive and transparent approach to religious communication. Since the 13th National Party Congress, Vietnam has emphasized the need to address religious issues harmoniously, prevent the emergence of social tensions and firmly oppose efforts to exploit religion to undermine national unity.

“Building upon that approach, the documents of the 14th National Party Congress have gone a step further by formally emphasizing the concept of ‘religious security.’ The documents call for proactive and effective handling of complex security and public-order issues before they generate public concern, reflecting a preventive approach that addresses risks early and from afar,” Toan said.

Telling Vietnam’s religious story through facts and lived experience

The 14th National Party Congress identified foreign affairs for the first time as a “critical and regular task” alongside national defense and security. At a national conference on June 11, 2026, to implement Resolution No. 06-NQ/TW, General Secretary and State President To Lam emphasized that foreign affairs not only protect national interests but also help promote Vietnam’s values, identity and international standing.

To move from a defensive to a development-oriented diplomatic approach, he called for foreign affairs to play a pioneering role in preventing risks from an early stage and at their source. He also highlighted the need to modernize external communications and project the image of a resilient, innovative and responsible Vietnam.

Viewed through this lens, communication about religion still has significant room for improvement in helping international audiences gain a fuller understanding of religious life in Vietnam. For years, information efforts have provided both domestic and international audiences with a clearer understanding of Vietnam’s policies on ensuring freedom of belief and religion.

Most recently, on June 11, 2026, Vu Hoai Bac, Head of the Government Committee for Religious Affairs, met with Julie Turner, Acting Deputy Assistant Secretary of State of the United States, to discuss progress in implementing Vietnam’s religious policies. Addressing concerns regarding registration procedures for religious groups, Bac noted that Vietnam had reduced administrative procedures in the field of belief and religion from 103 to 56. All procedures can now be completed online, helping increase the rate of online applications from 20% in 2025 to 90% during the first months of 2026.

“The consistent position of the Vietnamese State is to protect freedom of belief and religion and strictly prohibit discrimination based on faith or religious affiliation. Authorities at all levels serve as bridges between religious organizations and religious groups to ensure harmony and equality among religions,” Bac said during the meeting.

Religious communities as storytellers

Efforts by government agencies to engage in dialogue and provide information have helped international audiences better understand religious realities in Vietnam. More importantly, in today’s interconnected world, building trust requires more than responding to external concerns. Vietnam has increasingly taken the initiative to present its policies, religious practices and consistent commitment to protecting freedom of belief and religion.

A notable milestone in this shift from “explaining when necessary” to “proactively providing information to build understanding” was the publication of the White Paper on Religion and Religious Policy in Vietnam in December 2022. The publication marked a more proactive approach to communicating information about religion.

At another level, in the digital age, credibility does not come solely from official reports or government statements. It also comes from the lived experiences of religious communities themselves. When religious leaders, followers and organizations share their own stories, the realities of religious life in Vietnam become more authentic, relatable and persuasive.

The practical evidence can be seen in the State’s support for major religious events organized by religious communities. For Buddhism, Vietnam has hosted the United Nations Day of Vesak four times since 2008 with active support from authorities at all levels. These events have demonstrated the country’s capacity to host major international religious gatherings and its commitment to ensuring freedom of belief and religion.

Similarly, on July 2, the Catholic Church in Vietnam will hold the Beatification Mass for Father Francis Xavier Truong Buu Diep at the Tac Say Pilgrimage Center in Ca Mau Province. The ceremony will be presided over by Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle, Pro-Prefect of the Vatican’s Dicastery for Evangelization. It will bring together the Vatican’s special envoy, religious leaders from across Asia and large numbers of Catholic clergy and followers from Vietnam and abroad.

Bishop Peter Le Tan Loi of the Diocese of Can Tho described the event as historically significant, noting that it will be the first beatification ceremony ever held in Vietnam.

“This event not only recognizes Father Diep’s witness of faith and heroic sacrifice, but also affirms the Gospel values that have been lived and shared on Vietnamese soil,” he said.

These examples show that Vietnam’s religious story is not told solely through policy documents or diplomatic reports. Its greatest persuasive power lies in the rich and diverse reality of religious life itself. When religious communities become ambassadors of their own experiences, the image of a Vietnam that respects freedom of belief, embraces openness and engages with the world can spread more naturally and sustainably among international audiences.

Sy Hao