The information was shared by Tran Minh Thu, head of the General Affairs Division at the Government Committee for Religious Affairs under the Ministry of Ethnic and Religious Affairs, during a press briefing in Hanoi on April 23.

After more than eight years of implementation, the 2016 Law on Belief and Religion has played a significant role in safeguarding the right to freedom of belief and religion for individuals and organizations, while enhancing transparency in state management.

However, one major limitation has been the absence of provisions outlining principles and responsibilities for agencies, organizations, and individuals engaging in religious activities online.

“Religious and belief-related activities in cyberspace are not only a new issue but an inevitable reality in the digital era, requiring comprehensive and well-defined regulations,” Thu emphasized.

On the afternoon of April 23, the revised law was approved with full consensus, as all 492 deputies present voted in favor. The law comprises nine chapters and 61 articles and will take effect from January 1, 2027. It marks the first formal establishment of a legal framework governing religious activities in the digital space.

A progressive step in cyberspace governance

Pham Anh Tuan, director general of the Authority of Grassroots Information and External Information under the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, described the revised law as a pioneering and progressive step in managing activities in cyberspace.

“It not only ensures strict management but also facilitates lawful activities online, balancing the right to freedom with compliance,” he said.

The revised law introduces, within its definitions section, the concept of “religious and belief-related activities in cyberspace,” referring to the use of digital platforms by organizations and individuals to conduct such activities. This addition not only acknowledges a new form of practice but also establishes a clear legal mechanism for its governance, creating a more coherent and proactive regulatory framework.

Under the law, entities conducting religious activities online must still comply with existing requirements for notification, registration, or approval, depending on the nature of the activity.

At the same time, Article 8 clearly defines the responsibilities of three key actors: competent state authorities responsible for guidance, supervision, inspection, and enforcement; organizations and individuals participating in such activities; and service providers in cyberspace, which must implement technical measures, coordinate in removing or blocking violating content, and restrict access upon request from authorities.

Previously, when violations related to religious activities occurred online, authorities often had to rely on references to other legal documents to handle such cases. The revised law now provides clearer principles, identifies responsible parties, and establishes a legal basis for addressing these activities.

From a policy perspective, this development reflects current realities. Religious preaching, sharing of rituals, guidance on spiritual practices, community mobilization, fundraising, and even unlawful acts such as impersonating religious organizations can now take place on digital platforms. Without regulation, a significant legal gap would persist.

However, Thu also noted the importance of clearly distinguishing between legitimate religious activities requiring management, expressions of personal belief, and acts that exploit religion to violate the law in the digital environment.

“Article 8 sets out principles for identifying these activities as well as procedures and processes. The Government will provide detailed guidance through implementing regulations,” she added.

The revised law consists of nine chapters and 61 articles, seven fewer than the current version, and will take effect on January 1, 2027.

Under the new provisions, the number of administrative procedures related to belief and religion will be reduced from 56 to 53, including 15 at the ministerial level, 30 at the provincial level, and eight at the commune level.

In terms of administrative reform and digital transformation, three procedures have been amended from mandatory registration to notification. Seven others have been revised, including two registration procedures with expanded scope in terms of subjects and operational areas, one shifting from pre-approval to post-audit, and four transitioning toward a registration mechanism instead of prior approval.

Vietnam currently recognizes 43 religious organizations and has granted them registration for operation. The country is home to more than 28 million followers, nearly 200,000 religious dignitaries and officials, including over 66,000 dignitaries.

Six religious dignitaries have recently been elected as deputies to the 16th National Assembly, including four from Buddhism and two from Catholicism. In addition, 59 religious dignitaries and officials have been elected to provincial-level People’s Councils for the 2026-2030 term.

According to incomplete statistics, more than 100 new religious phenomena currently exist nationwide. Of these, only about 30 percent are considered purely religious activities, while the remainder involve legal violations, most commonly superstition and acts for personal gain.

Binh Minh