Vietnam is proposing detailed regulations for religious activities in cyberspace, including livestreamed ceremonies and measures to address false or misleading online content.
From livestreaming religious ceremonies to addressing false and misleading information, a draft decree guiding the implementation of Vietnam's revised Law on Belief and Religion would, for the first time, set out specific responsibilities for organizations and individuals engaging in religious activities online.
On August 3, the Ministry of Ethnic and Religious Affairs held a consultation workshop in Ho Chi Minh City to gather feedback on the draft decree detailing several provisions and implementation measures for the revised Law on Belief and Religion.
The event was attended by Vu Hoai Bac, Head of the Government Committee for Religious Affairs; Deputy Heads Nguyen Tien Trong and Tran Thi Minh Nga; religious dignitaries and officials from recognized religious organizations; and representatives and managers of belief establishments from southern provinces and cities.
Overview of the consultation workshop.
In his opening remarks, Vu Hoai Bac said the revised Law on Belief and Religion was passed by Vietnam's 16th National Assembly at its first session on April 23, 2026, and will take effect on January 1, 2027.
The Government Committee for Religious Affairs has been assigned to lead the drafting of the decree detailing and guiding the implementation of several provisions of the law. The current draft consists of eight chapters and 77 articles.
Bac said the draft aims to closely follow the Communist Party of Vietnam's policy of safeguarding freedom of belief and religion while addressing shortcomings identified during the implementation of the previous law. It also retains provisions that remain suitable and seeks to make administrative procedures more convenient for organizations and individuals.
The draft is expected to be submitted to the Ministry of Justice for appraisal in September before being presented to the Government for approval in October 2026.
First dedicated chapter on religious activities in cyberspace
Deputy Head of the Government Committee for Religious Affairs Nguyen Tien Trong presents the introductory report.
Presenting the introductory report, Deputy Head of the Government Committee for Religious Affairs Nguyen Tien Trong said the draft decree introduces several new provisions covering religious and belief activities in cyberspace, the responsibilities of representatives of belief establishments, registration of centralized religious activities, religious organizations, donations and sponsorship, the renovation and construction of religious facilities, and administrative procedure forms.
Notably, the draft includes a separate chapter dedicated to religious and belief activities in cyberspace. This is a new area that the 2026 Law on Belief and Religion authorizes the Government to regulate in greater detail.
Other chapters cover representatives of belief establishments, registration of centralized religious activities, religious organizations, domestic and overseas religious activities, donations and sponsorship, and the construction of religious and belief facilities.
At the workshop, Venerable Thich Minh Nhan, Deputy Head of Office II of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha's Central Executive Council and Deputy Head and Chief Secretary of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha Executive Board in An Giang Province, expressed support for including a separate chapter on cyberspace.
He suggested reviewing the practicality of the proposed notification period for livestreaming religious ceremonies that have already received official approval. He also called for clearer identification of the authority responsible for handling individuals who use overseas servers to publish false or misleading information.
Regarding procedures for transferring religious dignitaries, Venerable Thich Minh Nhan proposed adding a "concurrent appointment" category to reflect the structure of Buddhist monastic communities, where one abbot may oversee multiple temples in different provinces at the same time.
Meanwhile, Nguyen Tan Dat, Head of the Central Executive Board of the Hoa Hao Buddhist Church, proposed expanding Article 5 to also cover individuals who share or interact with false or misleading information on online platforms.
He also recommended maintaining greater stability among officials responsible for religious affairs at the grassroots level and limiting personnel rotations.
Religious organizations seek fewer implementation obstacles
Nguyen Tan Dat, Head of the Central Executive Board of the Hoa Hao Buddhist Church.
Beyond issues related to cyberspace and digital transformation, representatives of several religious organizations also highlighted practical challenges in implementing the law at the local level.
Pastor Tran Thanh Truyen, representing the Seventh-day Adventist Church in Vietnam, proposed adding provisions to Article 43 regarding the suspension of religious officials from their positions.
He also commented on several electronic administrative procedures, suggesting that they should be more widely communicated so religious organizations can proactively complete registration requirements.
Representatives from the Cao Dai Holy See of Tay Ninh and the Tu An Hieu Nghia Buddhist Association also shared comments on procedures governing the registration of centralized religious activities and recommended expanding training programs for local officials to ensure consistent implementation.
Delegates attend the consultation workshop.
Responding to the feedback, Deputy Head Nguyen Tien Trong affirmed that incorporating online activity registration into existing administrative forms "will not create any additional administrative procedures."
He also said relevant authorities would coordinate across agencies to address violations involving information published through servers located overseas.
The Government Committee for Religious Affairs also acknowledged staffing challenges at the grassroots level, particularly following the implementation of Vietnam's two-tier local government model, under which many officials are now responsible for multiple areas of work. In the coming period, authorities will strengthen training and legal awareness programs to ensure the law and its implementing decree are applied consistently from the central government to local administrations.
Vietnamnet.vn
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