On April 23, 2026, during its first session, the 16th National Assembly passed the new Law on Belief and Religion.

The law was officially promulgated by the State President under Order No. 07/2026/L-CTN on April 26, 2026, and will take effect on January 1, 2027.

The legislation will fully replace the 2016 Law on Belief and Religion, institutionalizing Party policies, resolving practical shortcomings and adapting to Vietnam’s two-tier local government restructuring and accelerating digital transformation efforts.

From both legal and administrative perspectives, the 2026 law introduces six major breakthrough reforms.

Legal recognition and tighter management of religious activities online

One of the most significant changes is the formal inclusion of online religious activities within the direct scope of the law.

For the first time, religious and belief-related activities conducted in cyberspace are explicitly regulated.

Clause 17 of Article 2 defines online religious activities as the use of cyberspace by organizations and individuals to conduct religious or belief-related practices in accordance with the law.

The law’s practical enforceability is reinforced in Article 8, which establishes a clear management framework requiring individuals and organizations to notify or register with competent state authorities before conducting online religious activities.

Notably, the law also imposes mandatory responsibilities on telecommunications and online service providers to implement technical measures and cooperate in removing or blocking illegal content.

At the same time, Clause 6 of Article 7 prohibits the use of cyberspace, artificial intelligence or technology to violate laws related to belief and religion.

Comprehensive decentralization aligned with two-tier local government reforms

One of the most substantial institutional changes is the complete removal of authority previously held by district-level People’s Committees.

The reform is intended to support Vietnam’s transition toward a two-tier local government model.

At the central level, the Ministry of Ethnic and Religious Affairs will assume unified responsibility for state management in this field.

Authorities formerly assigned to district-level administrations will now either be transferred upward to provincial People’s Committees or delegated directly to commune-level administrations.

For example, commune-level authorities will now have the power to receive notifications and approve congresses, ceremonies and preaching activities conducted within their jurisdictions.

The reform is intended to strengthen local autonomy, improve grassroots governance and enhance accountability among local authorities.

Administrative reform shifts from “pre-approval” to “post-supervision”

Reflecting a legislative philosophy that laws should only regulate fundamental principles, the 2026 legislation removes detailed procedural requirements concerning documentation and processing timelines.

Instead, those details will be regulated separately by the Government to ensure flexibility and avoid legal obsolescence.

Many administrative procedures have been simplified significantly.

Several processes previously requiring formal approval have been downgraded to registration procedures, while some registration requirements have been reduced further to simple notifications.

For example, religious activities conducted at belief establishments will now operate under a notification-based mechanism rather than prior approval.

The law also abolishes the requirement for Vietnamese citizens to submit judicial background records in certain procedures, reflecting the country’s push toward digital governance and citizen-centered administration.

New enforcement measures strengthen state management

The law introduces additional sector-specific enforcement measures aimed at promoting legal compliance and strengthening preventive governance.

Authorities are empowered to revoke approvals for concentrated religious gatherings if the group fails to conduct activities for six consecutive months.

Similarly, certificates recognizing religious organizations may be revoked if organizations remain inactive for one year.

The legislation also introduces suspension measures.

Authorities may suspend or request the suspension of religious officials who violate Article 7 or use forged documents.

At the same time, the law establishes a more flexible personnel registration mechanism.

If religious appointments are made through nomination or appointment, registration documents must be submitted beforehand.

If positions are decided through elections at congresses, organizations may instead submit notifications after results are finalized.

The reform is intended to remove long-standing procedural difficulties for religious organizations.

Stronger recognition of the role of local communities

The 2026 law explicitly adds “local communities” as subjects covered under the legislation and incorporates the concept into several foundational definitions.

Belief is now defined as a form of spiritual faith that brings peace of mind to both individuals and communities, aligning the law more closely with cultural heritage regulations.

Under Article 14, the selection of representatives for management boards at belief establishments will become the responsibility of local communities.

The process will be coordinated by commune-level People’s Committees in cooperation with the Vietnam Fatherland Front, reinforcing grassroots democracy mechanisms.

Harmonizing the legal system through legislative referencing

The new law also eliminates overlaps found in the 2016 legislation, particularly separate provisions governing legal violations.

Instead, the 2026 law adopts a modern legislative referencing technique designed to maintain consistency across Vietnam’s legal system.

Violations - especially those committed online - will now be handled directly under existing laws on administrative sanctions, telecommunications, cybersecurity or criminal prosecution where applicable.

This approach is intended to create a multi-layered legal framework capable of addressing violations comprehensively while strengthening deterrence against groups exploiting religion for illegal or anti-state purposes.

According to the article’s author, the 2026 Law on Belief and Religion represents a major step forward in Vietnam’s institutional development.

The legislation not only broadens the legal framework protecting legitimate freedom of belief and religion, but also equips authorities with stronger tools for governance in the digital era while contributing to social stability and national unity.

Phan Hong Thuy