Tom tat tieng anh quản lý nhà nước đối với hoạt động của đạo tin lành ở việt nam

MINISTRY OF EDUCATION & TRAINING

MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS

NATIONAL ACADEMY OF PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION

VU THE DUY

STATE MANAGEMENT FOR PROTESTANTISM’S ACTIVITIES
IN VIET NAM

Major: Public Management
Code: 9 34 82 01

SUMMARY OF DOCTORAL THESIS OF PUBLIC MANAGEMENT

HA NOI, JUNE 2018


The thesis is completed in:
NATIONAL ACADEMY OF PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION

Scientific Supervisor:
Supervisor 1: Assoc. Prof. Dr. Hoang Van Chuc
Supervisor 2: Assoc. Prof. Dr. Hoang Minh Do

Opponent 1:
Opponent 2:
Opponent 3:

The thesis will be defended before the Academy-level Thesis Assessment Council

Place: Doctoral thesis defense room – Meeting room ..... Building....
National Academy of Public Administration
No.77 – Nguyen Chi Thanh street – Dong Da District – Ha Noi
Time: At ……… hour ….. date … month …. year ………

The thesis is available at Viet Nam National Library or
Library of National Academy of Public Administration


INTRODUCTION
1. The urgency of the thesis
Over the past years, under the leadership of the Party, management and
operation of state agencies, situation and activity development of Protestantism has
been actively changed, guaranteeing for the rights to follow or not to follow a
religion, freedom of worship & religion of people. Especially, since the Decree
No.01/2005/CT-TTg of the Government Prime Minister issued on some works for
Protestantism, organizations of faction and Protestant believer are extremely
excited and believe in religious guidelines and policy of the Party and Government.
In addition to the achieved results, state management for Protestantism
activities in Viet Nam has also shown some fixed shortcomings and limits making
issues in need of concerns and settlement such as:
System of policy and law on religion and Protestantism is not synchronous and
complete; awareness of Protestantism and state management for Protestantism
activities is limited; a team of cadre and official in charge of religion is slender,
most of them is not trained and improved in knowledge and professional skills of
religion so they are puzzled to arising issues. In some localities, there is expression
of relaxing Protestantism management after of issue of registration certificate of
faith activity point or group; registration of faith activity in accordance with point
and group for Protestantism factions is not well implemented.
Starting from actual situation of state management for Protestantism activities

in Viet Nam at present, the author has chosen the topic “State management for
Protestantism activities in Viet Nam” to make doctoral thesis of public
management. The topic has not only significance for theory but also important
meaning for the realities in state management for religious activities in Viet Nam
in general and Protestantism in particular.
2. Purposes and study tasks of the thesis
2.1. Study purposes
The thesis has the study purposes, making clear scientific grounds for state
management for Protestantism activities in Viet Nam at present, from that point,
proposing solutions aiming at continuing to complete state management for
Protestantism activities in the next period.
2.2. Study tasks
In order to implement the study purposes, the thesis has the following tasks:
- The overvier study of research works of Protestantism and state management
for Protestantism activities at home and abroad.
- Scientific fundamentals research of state management for Protestantism in
Viet Nam.
- Investigating, analyzing and assessing real situation of Protestantism activities
and state management for Protestantism activities in Viet Nam at present.
- Research of opinions and guidelines of the Party; orientation and policy of the
Government for religion and Protestantism. From there, proposing solutions
aiming at continuing to complete state management for Protestantism activities in
the next period.
3. Object and scope of research
3.1. Object of research
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Object of research of the thesis is measures of state management for
Protestantism activities in Viet Nam in present period.

3.2. Scope of research of the thesis
- For contents: The thesis focuses on research of state management for
Protestantism activities in Viet Nam under regulations of law.
- For space: The thesis is implemented to study at provinces and cities such as Dien
Bien, Lao Cai, Dak Lak, Gia Lai, Ha Noi, Quang Nam and Ho Chi Minh city.
- For time: The topic has focused on essential study from 2005 so far (since the
Decree No.01/2005/CT-TTg on some work for Protestantism issued).
4. Methodology and method of research
4.1. Methodology
The topic is studied on the basis of methodology of dialectical materialism
and historical materialism, Ho Chi Minh’s thoughts, opinions of the Party, policy
and law of Viet Nam state on religion, religious work and Protestantism in
renovation process.
4.2. Specific research method
In order to implement tasj and contents of the thesis set forth, the author has
used the following scientific research method to implement the thesis: document
research method; practical investigation method; analysis and summary method;
statistical method; sociological investigation method; interview method, intensive
interview; information processing method and some other methods.
5. Question of research and supposition of research
5.1. Question of research
- State management for Protestantism activities in Viet Nam at present has met
the right “faith and religious freedom” and demand on religious faith of a part of
citizens with faith or not?
- What factors are there affecting on state management for Protestantism
activities in Viet Nam at present?
- How is real situation of state management for Protestantism activities in Viet
Nam implemented? What are results achieved, what are shortcomings, limits and
what do reasons bring to successes and limits?
- In order to raise effectiveness of state management for Protestantism activities

in Viet Nam at present, what solutions are in need?
5.2. Supposition of research
State management for Protestantism activities in Viet Nam at present has also
some issues of inadequacy and limits, it is worthwhile needing to have a system of
solutions to impact on mechanism, institution, policy; organization of apparatus
and team of cadre and official of state management on religion aiming at creating
motive power, bringing into full play of good ethical values of Protestantism,
making contribution to socio-economic development process in Viet Nam in
renovation process.
6. New contributions of the thesis
- For theory: Building up and completing system of theoretical fundamentals of
state management for religious and Protestantism activities; building up system of
concepts relating to state management for Protestantism activities.
- For realities: The thesis has a summary of Protestantism activities in Viet
Nam; making clear real situation of implementing contents of state management
for Protestantism activities in Viet Nam. Forecasting development tendencies of
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Protestantism in Viet Nam in the next years and building up a system of 07
solutions aiming at making contribution of raising effectiveness of state
management for Protestantism activities in Viet Nam.
7. Structure of the thesis
In addition to introduction, conclusion, list of reference document and
appendix, contents of the thesis are made into 04 chapters.
Chapter 1
AN OVERVIEW OF RESEARCH WORK RELATING TO
THE THESIS TOPIC
Research of religion, Protestantism, state management for religious and
Protestantism activities is one of the topics concerned, investigated and learnt

about by many domestic and foreign agencies, organizations, managers and
scholars. The research works are actually valuable document sources for
humankind and it is able to summarize as follows:
1.1. General research works of religion, opinions, policy and state
management for religious activities
This is a topic received concerns of many scholars, it is able to refer to some
works as follows: Reference book “Ho Chi Minh’s thoughts of religion and
religious work” of author Le Huu Nghia and Nguyen Duc Lu, monograph book
“Religious work from Marxist – Leninist opinions to Viet Nam realities” of author
Ngo Huu Thao; monograph book “Opinions, guidelines of the Party on religious
issue in Viet Nam at present” of author Nguyen Hong Duong; work “Theory of
religion and religious policy in Viet Nam” of author Nguyen Duc Lu; doctoral
thesis of Pham Huu Xuyen “Ho Chi Minh’s opinions of faith and religion ”; Article
of Luu Ngoc Khai with topic “The Party and the Government’s renovation of
religious policy – bringing into full play of tradition of the great national unity ”;
Pham Huy Thong with an article “The ordinance on faith and religion, 10 years of
looking back”,.. The curriculum of public administration Bachelor program
training: “State management of religion and nation”, of author Hoang Van Chuc;
monograph book “State management for religious activities in conditions for
building up a democratic and jurisdictional Viet Nam State at present” of author
Nguyen Huu Khien; research topic of Ngo Van Minh “State management of
religion in the Central Highlands provinces”; doctoral thesis: “State management
of religion in Viet Nam from 1975 so far” of author Bui Huu Duoc;…
1.2. Research works of Protestantism
Work“History of Protestantism” of author Jean Baubeorot, the World
publishing house 2006, reference book “The religions over the world”, of Lewis
M. Hopfe and Mark R. Woodword; an article of Nguyen Hong Duong “summingup of Protestantism in the northern Viet Nam in 1911 – 1975 period”; reference
book “Protestantism, basic knowledge” of author Pham Gia Thoan; reference book
“Some large religions in Viet Nam ” of author Nguyen Thanh Xuan; research of
Nguyen Xuan Hung of “Protestantism missionary work in ethnic groups in South

Truong Son – Central Highlands region from start till 1975”; research of Vu Thi
Thu Ha of “Missionary work activities of Protestantism in Viet Nam and China”;
work of “Protestantism ethics and spirit of Capitalism” of Max Weber; research of
Ma Phuc Thanh Tuoi in the thesis “Protestantism ethics and ethical lifestyle of
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believer in Viet Nam at present”; an article “Looking back the process of
formation and development of Protestantism in the ethnic group region in
Northern provinces” of author Hoang Minh Do,..
1.3. Research works of state management for Protestantism activities
Research of state management topic for Protestantism activities with some the
following works: Scientific topic “Protestantism in Viet Nam – Real situation,
some issues set forth and solution” of Nguyen Xuan Hung; research of Hoang
Minh Do on “Real situation of Protestantism and issues set forth for state
management work after 10 years of implementation of the Decree No.01/2005/CTTTg of the Government Prime Minister”; Vu Trong Hach with the topic “State
management for Protestantism in Northwest of Viet Nam”,...
1.4. Remarks of works relating to the thesis topic
1.4.1. The results achieved of research works of Protestantism and state
management for Protestantism activities
- For theoretical basis, the authors has studied and made clear many theoretical
issues of religion and Protestantism.
- Scientific works and some works have learnt about, studied and summarized
relatively clearly guidelines, policies, opinions of the Party, policies, law of the
State on faith, religion, guidelines for Protestantism.
- Some works have pointed out missionary method of Protestantism in Viet
Nam over the past years or compared with missionary method of Viet Nam
Protestant Church Union and Protestant Church of other nations over the world.
- From the point of view of sociology, authors have found out ethical value in
dogmatics, canon law of Protestantism, compared ethical values of Protestantism

with ethical value of Viet Nam people.
For realities of authors who have achieved the following results in research of
religious work and Protestantism:
- Overview works have generalized rather clearly real situation in Protestantism
activities in some regions and some localities in Viet Nam.
- Research of state management work for Protestantism activities has obtained
some successes such as making clear real situation in implemeting believer
mobilization and encouragement work in some localities, organization system of
state management apparatus of religion in provinces, cities directly affiliated to
central level; work of leadership and concrete guidelines of executive committees
of the Party, operation of local authorities for management and activities of
Protestantism, ...
1.4.2. Some contents of Protestantism and state management for Protestantism
activities have not been intensively studied
In addition to the above successes, works, documents, data and research works
have not been developed much in the following contents:
- Research has shown that research works of Protestantism have only stopped at
limit of time of formation and development of faith over the world and process of
penetration and development in Viet Nam. Research of faith development process
in some regions and localities of Northern areas and Central Highlands region,
there are few research works of Protestantism development nationwide; there is no
intensive research of state management apparatus organization of religious faith
nationwide at present; statistical information of scope and number of dignitaries
and followers; place of worship relating to Protestantism are scattered and
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insufficient, short of synchronism and system; there are no research works making
clear the relationship between national issue and religion in general and
Protestantism in particular; there are no research works assessing generally state

management for Protestantism activities nationwide.
1.4.3. Contents need to continue research and making ckear more
Through research and analysis of overview document, the author realizes that it
is necessary to continue research and make clear more some issues and contents as
follows:
 For theory, it is necessary to make clear more the following contents and
issues:
- Development periods of Protestantism nationwide; why does it develop
quickly in distant and ethnic minority areas, especially difficult areas with
economic conditions.
- The research has pointed out concepts relating to the thesis
- The research of theoretical fundamentals of church organization, faction,
dogmatics, canon law, rituals of Protestantism.
- System of scientific fundamentals of state management for Protestantism
activities: Urgency of state management for Protestantism activities; state
management for Protestantism activities; subject, object, contents and method of
state management for Protestantism activities.
- International experiences in state management for Protestantism activities and
experienced lesson for realities in Viet Nam.
 For real situation, it is necessary to make clear more the following contents:
- Generalizing real situation of Protestantism in Viet Nam including process of
import and development of Protestantism in each period; scope and faction
organization, pastor, missionary, number of followers, place of worship of
Protestantism.
- Research, investigation and making clear of activity situation of
organizations, faction of Protestantism nationwide: organization of faction,
activities of pastors, missionaries, training activities of dignitaries classes,
organization of rituals of Protestantism, charity and humanity activities.
- Research and analysis of active and inactive affects of Protestantism on social
life of Viet Nam.

- Reseach and analysis of reasons of Protestantism development in regions and
nationwide at present.
- Investigation, survey and research of real situation of state management of
Protestantism nationwide including: legal system; management of faith activities;
organization of management apparatus, team of cadre; activities in coordination
between functional agencies and fighting and prevention work of activities taking
advantage of faith to have an act harmful to security and public order.
- Summary and assessment of the results achived and limits in state
management for Protestantism activities over the past years and pointing out
reasons of the above successes and limits.
 For solution of management and proposal
- Research and systematization of guidelines, policy and opinions of the
Communist Party of Viet Nam for religion and religious work; Protestantism and
work for Protestantism in the present period.
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- Research of state management orientation for religious activities; state
orientation in state management for Protestantism activities.
- Research and pointing out tendency for Protestantism development in the next
period.
- Proposal of state management solutions to Protestantism activities.
Chapter 2
THEORETICAL FUNDAMENTALS OF STATE MANAGEMENT
FOR PROTESTANTISM ACTIVITIES
2.1. Some concepts relating to the thesis topic
2.1.1. Concept of religion
Article 2, Clause 5 of the Law on Faith and Religion has an interpretation:
“Religion is the belief of people existed in system of conception and activities
including object of worship, dogmatics, canon law, rituals and organization”.

- In the work of making contribution to criticizing jurisdictional philosophy of
Heghen, Karl Marx has defined the religion “Religious suffering is, at one and the
same time, the expression of real suffering and a protest against real suffering.
Religion is the sigh of the oppressed creature, the heart of a heartless world, and
the soul of soulless conditions. Religion is the opium of the people”.
2.1.2. Religious activities
The clause 11, Article 2 of the Law on Faith and Religion 2016 has stipulated:
Religious activities are the ones of religious missionary work, religious activities
and organization management of religion.
2.1.3. Religious organization
Religious organization is understood as a gathering of people who together
believe in a system of dogmatics, canon law and rituals and organized under a
fixed structure, recognized to be legal entity and issued to operating permit by the
Government.
2.1.4. Religious organization directly affiliated
A religious organization consists of many constituted parts, component parts so
that religious organization is called as fundamental religious organization or
referred to as religious organization directly affiliated. Under the Law on Faith and
Religion 2016, the Article 2 of the Law on Faith and Religion stipulated: Religious
organization directly affiliated is the one of religious organization established
under the Charter, Statutes and regulations of religious organization.
2.1.5. Religious follower and Protestants
Protestants are also called Protestant believers who are believers in
Protestantism, recognized by Protestant organizations and factions.
The Evangelical Church of Vietnam (South) stipulated: Believers are the people
who believe in Jesus Christ, trust in dogma and comply with organization of
the Evangelical Church of Vietnam (South) under regulations of Charter in which
believers have received Baptism and believers have not received Baptism.
2.2. Generalization of Protestantism over the world
2.2.1. Situation and condition for establishment of Protestantism

According to many documents of authors showing that in around early XVIth
century in Europe the second great sundering has been happend in Christianity,
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bringing about establishment of Protestantism, essentially it is religious reform
affecting deep on contemporary socio-political issues.
Protestantism was born, it is able to be the result of serious crisis of influence
role of Catholic Church due to the earth power ambition and ethical decline of
religious dignitaries; Babylon exile (1387 - 1417) and great schism from 1378 to
1417 and crisis of influence prestige of church is a standstill of Scholastic
Theology (establishment from XIIth century), power fundamentals of Cathlic
Church.
2.2.2. Protestantism missionary work process
Coming into the world together with bourgeois class and capitalism, however
in bourgeois revolutionary process, Protestantism has not only developed strongly
in Europe but also expanded to the world especially in North America together
with European bourgeois class process, conducting invasion war to expand market
and exploit colony. If Spain and Portugal have an important role in bringing
Catholics to Central – South America region, England, Germany and The
Netherlands have deserved credit for bringing Protestantism to North America
region. Protestantism is carried on missionary work to North America region by
traditional road in the colony conquering armies essentially English religion and
accepted factions in both free road essentially banned factions such as Puritan
religion, Quaker, Mennonitte,...
From establishment so far, near five hundred years, Protestantism has been
developed at rapid rate, become a large religion, the third ranking only after
Catholics, Muslim with scope of around 550 million followers of 285 factions,
present at 135 nations of all continents including: North America 152,7 million;
Africa: 125,6 million; Asia: 115 million; Europe 110 million; :Latin America 32

million and Oceania 15 million.
2.2.3. Dogmatics, law and practices and rituals of Protestantism
2.2.3.1. Dogmatics of Protestantism
It is able to generalize dogmatics, law and practices, rituals and organization of
Protestantism as follows:
- For the Bible: Protestantism takes the Bible to make grounds for dogmatics.
Old Testament Bible of Protestantism has only recognized 36 of 46 books,
Protestantism has heightened position of Bible, considered that as basic and unique
standard of belief and religious practice. Protestantism does not consider the Bible
as a book that only priest has newly the right to carry out reseach on and explain
but also a book to all followers and dignitaries of Protestantism, the Bible has an
important position playing a role as a priest in both aspect of pastorship and
missionary work.
- For dogmatics: Dogmatics of Protestantism worshipping Christ and believing
in theory “Christ with three thrones” (Throne 1: Father, Throne 2: Child, Throne 3:
Saints and Gods; Throne 2 is formed from Throne, Throne 3 is formed from Throne 1
and Throne 2), believing in universe, all things are created and controlled by Christ;
believing in humankind created by Christ in specific way and having soul and body;
believing in people to be fallen in guilt; believing that second throne of Christ is Jesus
Christ to descend on earth, suffer death to redeem guilt to humankind; believing in
angel and ghost, having heaven and hell; believing in day of judgement, easter day and
day of final judgement.
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2.2.3.2. Law and practices, rituals of Protestantism
Protestantism is a special religion with prominence of reason in belief,
reckoning that saving is only come by belief without “external form”. Therefore
law and practices, rituals, ways of religious practice of Protestantism are simple,
unsophisticated, unwordy and uncomplicated. In seven sacraments of

Protestantism, baptism and the emperor’s person has been only recognized and
implemented by Protestantism. In addition, Protestantism has ceremonies:
marriage, child offering ceremony to Christ based on story in old testament that
Abraham has offered son of Yasak to Jehovah
2.2.4. Dignitaries and organization of Church
2.2.4.1. Dignitaries of Protestantism
Protestantism has also hierachy including: Pastor (name of the Bible) and under
pastor is missionary, called as preacher. Some Protestant factions such as
presbyter, methodism, christianity, Seventh-day Adventist ... still maintaining
pastor. Hierachy of Protestantism are essentially male, however, some
organizations and factions have chosen female positions. Hierachy of Protestantism
has not applied single law like priest of Catholicism, they are married, give birth
and build up private family happiness and most pastor’s wife has been also trained
to become missionary to support husband in work of religious society.
2.2.4.2. Organization and faction of Protestantism
Protestantism does not make an organization of church with nature of covering
the whole faith, it follows the ways of building separate and independent churches
with different formalities in accordance with teach faction or each country. In
structure of church organization, Protestant factions have guidelines to assign
autonomy to national churches; national churches has assigned again the right of
self establishment, autonomy and self improvement to fundamental churches.
2.3. State management for activities of Protestantism
2.3.1. Concept of state management for activities of Protestantism
2.3.1.1. Concept of state management for religious activities

State management for religious activities
Conception of administrative researchers: State management for religious
activities is process of impact, operation, adjustment so that faith and religious
activities occurs in accordance with regulations of law.
State management for religious activities is overall of management measures

implemented by functional agencies and authorities for legal person and natural
person and religious organizations aiming at ensuring religious organizations and
followers operating in accordance with law, guaranteeing for freedom of religious
faith of citizen at the same time also aiming at preventing and stopping behaviors
taking advantage of religious activities to do illegal works, encroaching upon
security and public order of the country.
2.3.1.2. Concept of state management for activities of Protestantism
 Activities of Protestantism
Clause 11, Article 2 of the Law on Faith and Religion 2016 and under guidance
of the Decree 92/2012/ND-CP dated 08 November 2012 of the Government Prime
Minister detailing and measures of implementing the Ordinance on Faith and
Religion 2004, activities of Protestantism including the following contents:
For organization of Protestantism including contents of activities:
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- Activities of registering faith activities; registering activities of Protestant
points and groups, recognizing organization of Protestantism;
- Activities of establishment, division, separation, mergence, consolidation of Protestant
points and groups;
- Activities of association registration, social organizations and other collective
religious organizations of Protestantism;
- Activities of establishment, management, dissolution of training schools,
opening improvement class for persons who are operating professionally in field of
Protestantism;
- Activity of nomination, promotion, appointment, election, dismissal, removal
of dignitaries in the Evangelical Churches;
- Activities of transfer of operation place of dignitaries, pastor, assumed pastor,
missionary.
For activities of Protestant Church with 08 contents of activities:

- Activity of registering operation program of annual Protestant point, groups
and organizations;
- Activity of registering person to work, help learn and study in Protestant
organizations;
- Organizing conference, congress of Protestantism;
- Organizing ceremonies, preaching, missionary work of Protestant
organizations, pastor, missionary work outside a place of Church;
- Activities of pastor, missionary, dignitaries at Protestant place that has been
ranked historical relics, landscape & sights;
- Activities of improvement, upgrade, new construction of works, architecture
and auxiliary works of Protestant organizations and factions.
- Activities of charity and humanity of Protestant points, groups, factions and
organizations.
- International relationship of Protestant factions and organizations; of
followers, pastors, missionary and dignitaries.
Thus, for contents of activities of Protestantism as stipulated in law system of
faith and religion in Viet Nam including 14 contents, 06 contents of organization
management and 08 contents of activities of faith.
 State management for activities of Protestantism
State management for activities of Protestantism is overall of management
measures implemented by functional agencies and authorities for followers,
dignitaries and Protestant organizations and factions aiming at ensuring
organizations, factions, Protestants practising religion in accordance with law,
guaranteeing freedom of religious faith of citizen at the same time also aiming at
prevening and stopping behaviors taking advantage of Protestantism to do illegal
works, encroach upon security and public order of the country.
2.3.2. Necessity of state management for activities of Protestantism
2.3.2.1. Implementing function of state management
Faith and religion is product of spirit, cultural product formed and developed
together with social development process and is social entity, existed subjectively

and long term with social development. Religious development process has an
affect inconsiderably on development of each country, nation; in process of
appearance, existence and development, religion has both active and inactive
affects on all aspects of social life. Starting from nature, function and role of the
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State is service for the ruling class benefit, benefit of classes, other classes in
society, the Government must conduct measures of orientation, adjustment and
impact on religious organizations, it is necessary and subjective.
2.3.2.2. Guaranteeing the freedom, faith, religion of people
Freedom of religious faith is the basic human right, this is an unconquerable
human right protected by Viet Nam law system. With its position, function and
powers, state management agencies must be responsible to protect basic rights of
citizens as stipulated in the Constitution and state codes including freedom of
religious faith. Guaranteeing freedom of religious faith to citizen i.e protecting
legal system of religious faith of the State, protecting the right to follow or
unfollow a religion of citizen. At the same time, state agencies have also task to
fight and prevent from behaviors taking advantage of freedom of religious faith to
do illegal works affecting on security and public order of the country.
2.3.2.3. Realities of activities of Protestantism in Viet Nam
In renovation process in Viet Nam, in addition to active and suitable points,
religious faith in general and Protestantism in particular is still one of objects so
that hostile influences take advantage of implementing a plot of peaceful
happenings, interference in internal work of Viet Nam.
2.3.3. Subject, object of state management for activities of Protestantism
2.3.3.1. Subject of state management for activities of Protestantism
Subject of state management for activities of Protestantism is executive bodies,
agency of implementation and operation, professional agencies of the Government
and the People’s Committee at levels.

2.3.3.2. Object of state management for activities of Protestantism
Object of state management of Protestantism
Object of state management for activities of Protestantism is processes of
Protestantism, activities, relationship of Protestantism and behaviors of activities of
dignitaries, followers and activists in Protestant organizations and factions.
Objects of state management of Protestantism
Objects of state management of Protestantism include: Protestant followers,
dignitaries, architectural works of Protestantis; religious belongings, activities of
Protestantism.
2.3.4. Contents and method of state management for activities of Protestantism
2.3.4.1. State management contents for activities of Protestantism
Firstly, building, issue and organizing the implementation of legal normative
act of organization, operation and management of activities of Protestantism;
propaganda of regulations of law and organization of implementation of law in
field of religion and Protestantism.
Secondly, building organization of state management apparatus for activities of
Protestantism from central level to grassroots level;
Thirdly, building a team of cadre and official of state management for activities
of Protestantism;
Fourth, management of organization activities of Protestantism;
Fifthly, building mechanism of coordination between agencies and organization
in state apparatus system;
Sixthly, international cooperation in state management for activities of
Protestantism;
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Sevenly, inspection, control and solution of complaints, denouncement, settling
violations of law relating to Protestantism. Fighting and preventing against
behaviors taking advantage of Protestantism to encroach upon security and public

order.
2.3.4.2. Method of state management for activities of Protestantism
- State management for activities of Protestantism by law.
- State management for activities of Protestantism by poliy.
- Management of activities of Protestantism through building and organizing
apparatus and team of cadre.
- Through work of encouragement and mobilization of Protestant followers and
dignitaries.
- Through work of inspection and control and settlement of complaints,
denouncement relating to activities of Protestantism.
2.4. Experience of state management of religion in China, lesson for Viet Nam
2.4.1. Experience in management of religion and Protestantism of China
2.4.1.1. Opinions and principles of state management of religion of China
Religious followers in China at present accounts for 10% of population and has
tendency for continuous increase, one special thing is that the majority of ethnic
groups living in concentration in border areas follows religious faith. With basic
characteristics, China has attached much importance to process of building a
Socialist harmonious society. The objective that direction of Communist Party of
China is to make use of scientific development opinions in religious work in a new
situation to push up cultural career of great development and great prosperity
towards building a Socialist harmonious society. This is a focused method and task
of religious work in present period as well as in the future.
2.4.1.2. Experience of Protestantism management in China
Thoughts for religion of Communist Party of China and Dang Xiao Ping are
shown in the Constitution 1982: Citizens of the People’s Republic of China are
offered faith freedom. No state agency, religious organizations or individuals have
forced citizens to believe or unbelieve in any religions; also not differentiate and
treat people to believe or unbelieve in any religions. The State has protected
normal religious activities. No one can use religion to take part in activities
undermining public order, weakening health of citizens or interferring in

educational system of the State. Religious agencies and religious issues do not
bear control of foreign country.
Together with regulations of religious faith freedom in the Constitution,
Chinese government has also built up some important documents to make clear
objective of the Constitution provisions on religion freedom such as: Regulations
on management of religious activity points (1994), Regulations on management of
religious activities of foreigners (1994), the law on missionary issues;
normalization and religious services and principle of separating religion from state
education. The government has admitted a reality that in a long history
development period of the country, religious culture in China in which culture of
Protestantism has become a part of culture of Chinese traditional thoughts
According to Chinese government, till 2010, there were 53,000 Protestant
Churches, in which 70% are newly built with nearly 20 million Protestants, 70%
among them in the countryside. In 2014, national conference with anniversary of
60 years of Ba Tu church thinks that China has around 23.05 million to 40 million
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Protestant followers or around 1.7% to 2.9% of total population; each year around
500,000 people are baptized like Protestants.
Acceptance of Protestantism in Chinese society seems not to contradict with
political agenda program of Communist Party of China in building “Harmonious
society”, although churches are still under direct supervision of state agencies and
must comply with regulation of Government, provinces and localities. In fact,
Communist Party of China has not refuse the religious supervision right because it
still believes that religion is social ideology in contrary to Marxism and
Protestantism is one of the main factors in foreign aggression and hostile forces
overthrowing Communism and weakening regime. Therefore "evolution of peace"
penetration of Protestantism must be considered and the Government must control
religious activities. Chinese State has protected Protestantism when it has been

developed in principle of the Government without any interference from outside.
2.4.2. Lesson of experience for Viet Nam
- Firstly, the Party and Government has institutionalized basically in
accordance with jurisdictional direction of relationship between the State and
religion.
- Secondly, Having solved more and more better the relationship between
“religious work” and “religious activities”. The relationship is sensitive and
complicated because “religious activities” is former survival of religious subjects,
in which “religious work” is still issue of state management.
- Thirdly, making use of experience of national and international history on the
Law on religion, in order to institutionalize power and obligations of the whole
people, first of all, community of religions is more and more suitable, it is a new
feature in our religious policy.
From finding out experiences of China in settling religious issues, considering
realities of religion in Viet Nam in general and Protestantism in ethnic minority
compatriots in Viet Nam in particular, the author has realized that it is necessary to
discuss more some following opinions:
- It is necessary to create conditions for faith to take part actively more in some
field of suitable society, making useful contribution to national development and
construction and satisfying requirement of religious life such as education and
training, social culture, health – examination and treatment, charity and humanity
even politics and state management, social management. Actually, social
requirement of Protestantism has more and more increased in tendency of
globalization and integration and it also has not been apart from daily activity right
of religion.
- Solving reasonably and legally the relationship between the State and
Protestant factions and organizations.
- It is obliged to be aware and grasp thoroughly widely and intensively Ho Chi
Minh’s thoughts on religion to make better stability of life of Protestants and create
conditions for Protestant factions and organizations to deserve all abilities in

national development and construction, use the best religious resources to build
and protect Motherland.
- It is necessary to take practical measures, common feasibility and specific and
suitable measures for Protestantism in each region and zone especially Protestantism
in Central Highlands and mountanous Northern region.
- It is obliged to strengthen traditional education of culture, national history, in
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case of not careful research of tradition of culture and history, it is difficult to
explain and setlle well Protestantism issue in Viet Nam.
Chapter 3
REAL SITUATION OF STATE MANAGEMENT
FOR PROTESTANTISM ACTIVITIES IN VIET NAM
3.1. Activities of Protestantism in Viet Nam
3.1.1. Process of import and development of Protestantism in Viet Nam
3.1.1.1. Process of import
According to many documents showing that Protestantism has appeared in Viet
Nam late than as compared with religions from outside import, around at the end of
XIXth century and in earlier XXth century, becauseof organization of Christian and
Missionnary Alliance of American (CMA) called CMA missionary Church.
3.1.1.2. Development process of Protestantism in Viet Nam
 In period from 1911 to 1954
 In period from 1954 to 1975
 In period from 1975 to 2005
Statistics of Government Committee for Religion Affairs and sources of
localities in 2004 showing that Protestantism has expanded within all the country
with over 670,000 believers, more 80 organizations and factions have increased
nearly four times after 1975.
3.1.2. Real situation of organization and activities of Protestantism in Viet Nam

from 2005 up to now
3.1.2.1. For scope and number of dignitaries and Protestants
According to statistics of Government Committee for Religion Affairs and
Committee for Religion Affairs of localities, at the end of 2014, total Protestants
have around 01 million people (including quantity without Baptism), in addition,
there are also organizations, factions, residence protestant groups, it is estimated
around 80 groups. At present there are nearly 700,000 people of more 40 ethnic
minorities, the most crowded are Mong people with around 190,000 people in all
the country.
According to declaration of religious societies, at present there are around
3,000 dignitaries (essentially missionary work with 2,200 people) in which
the Evangelical Church
of Viet
Nam (South)
has
883
dignitaries,
the Evangelical Church of Viet Nam (North) has 153 dignitaries and 08 newly
recognized organizations with 2,162 dignitaries.
3.1.2.2. For organization of Protestant factions
After 10 years since issue of the Decree No.01/2005/CT-TTg on some works
for Protestantism, so far, Protestantism in Viet Nam has been strongly developing,
continuing to establish many different organizations, factions and groups.
According to Statistics of Government Committee for Religion Affairs till
December 2014, there are around nearly 100 Protestant organizations, factions and
groups in all the country.
3.1.2.3. For a place of worship, training institution of Protestant factions
Over the past years, although Government Committee for Religion Affairs has
initiated to coordinate with the Ministries, Branches and Localities in solving
issues relating to land, a place of religious worship in the spirit of the Decree

1940/2008/CT-TTg on house and land relating to religion, however in general in
13


fact, issues of land and building of a place of worship have not been concerned and
created conditions for solving difficulties in the issues by authority levels.
3.1.2.4. Real situation of Protestantism activities in Viet Nam at present
Protestant organizations have been recognized by the Government to operate
religion in accordance with stable and respectable direction, compliance with law
and travelling with nation however the following issues are still risen: Fighting and
finding out the way to have land, building up church, headquarters, training school
of dignitaries; conducting activities of appointment of dignitaries, administers,
establishing faith administrative organizations, mobilizing believers to collect
money, materials and land to build a place of worship; strengthening activities of
training and improving dignitaries and believers in many different forms; having
tendency on transfer of leadership of religious society to next generation; focusing
on missionary work to objects of townspeople and ethnic minority compatriots in
deep and remote and mountainous area. Organizations, factions and Protestant
groups that have not been recognized strengthen missionary activities, religious
activities, involve and entice people to follow faith; international relation of
Protestantism is increasingly diversified, complicated, domestic Protestant
organizations and factions continue to look for financial support and assistance
from outside organizations...
3.1.3. Characteristics of Protestantism in Viet Nam
Protestantism in Viet Nam has some characteristics: (1) essential development
in South in invasion process of American empire and mountainous area in recent
years; (2) Protestantism in Viet Nam essentially is townspeople and ethnic
minority people; (3) missionary work is content and main purpose of all activities;
(4) Protestantism in Viet Nam has a wide international relation; (5) imperialist and
hostile influences often take advantage of Protestantism to encroach upon security

and public order in Viet Nam.
3.1.4. Influence of Protestantism on socio-economic life in Viet Nam
Protestantism imported in Viet Nam over the past years has a fixed influence on
all aspects of life and society in Viet Nam. Investigation and survey of realities
shows that Protestantism both has active and inactive influence on all all aspects
of life and society especially community of ethnic groups of Viet Nam. The
research shows that Protestantism has created cultural conflict rather severely with
traditional religious faith especially area with ethnic minority compatriots in
Central Highlands and Northwest region. The relationship between faith followers
and unfollowers in the same family, village, between faith followers and local
authorities has become tensive and some places have become opposition. Lawsuits
relating to missionary work and faith following have strongly increased in excess
of level. A considerable part of Protestant followers has emigrated freely in remote
and deep area from the North to Central Highlands, to Laos and Cambodia....
Taking advantage of this situation, domestic and foreign hostile influences have
used materials to buy off a part of believers and dignitaries of Protestantism and
used religion to make cover to set up “Dega State” in Central Highlands region
and “Mong autonomous Kingdom” in mountanous Nothern area. In outside, USA
and some European countries have acused Viet Nam of violating human right and
imposed in public on conditions for Viet Nam in process of negotiation and
participation in international treaties.
3.2. Actual situation of state management contents implementation for
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activities of Protestantism in Viet Nam
3.2.1. Building up and organizing the implementation of state management law
for activities of Protestantism
Since revolution in August 1945 was successful up to now, the Government has
unceasingly concerned about guaranteeing for religiou faith freedom to people. In

order to guarantee for the rights, the Government has unceasingly improved system
of laws and regulations aiming at creating favorable conditions for stable religions,
development and active contribution to process of building and protection of
fatherland.
Survey results of realities show that basically objects surveyed believe that law
system on religion and Protestantism in Viet Nam is rather sufficient however it
has not satisfied realities of high increasingly requirements of organizations,
factions and Protestants, namely: there are 153/300 opinions reckoning that law
system is full but is not satisfied realities of situation of Protestant activities,
accounting for 51%; 117 opinions think that law system is not sufficient and not
satisfied requirements for Protestant activities, accounting for 39% and there are
only 30 opinions reckoning that full law system has satisfied requirement for
Protestant activities, accouting for 10%.
The survey results of realities of the author show that in present legal
documents system, only the Decree No.01/2005/CT-TTg on work for
Protestantism has satisfied basically realities of state management for activities of
Protestantism and activities requirement of dignitaries and Protestants.
3.2.2. Organization of state management apparatus for activities of Protestantism
3.2.2.1. Organization of state management apparatus for faith, religion and
Protestantism at central level
Organization of state management apparatus for faith and religion at (it is
divided in 2 levels in our country): Central level and locality level) at central level,
there are the Government, Ministry of Home Affairs and Government Committee
for Religion Affairs. (if considering in accordance with specialty nature, i.e
professional management agency in accordance with vertical direction at central
level, the highest competent agency is Government Committee for Religion Affairs
directly affiliated to the Ministry of Home Affairs.
After the Government has issued the Decree No.08/2007/ND-CP, so far
Committee for Religion Affairs has been emerged into home affairs sector with a
role of professional agency. With this change making contribution to consolidate

legal position of Committee for Religion Affairs from agency with a role of
assistance to agency with a role of acting as an advisor. This change in suitability
with general policy of the Party is both reduction of apparatus and puts
management activities into intensiveness. However, when considering actual
power, function of relatively independent assistance in authorized limit, function of
acting as an advisor is not independent. With a new position, state management
agencies of religion is short of initiative in professional skills activities, because
they have only function of acting as an indirect advisor through intermediate level.
If keeping intact as present time, state management branch and sector of religion
will meet much difficulties in activities however if it is in old position, it will be
not suitable with policy of apparatus reduction.
3.2.3. Team of cadre, official of state management of Protestantism
For scope of cadre and official: the whole system has 11,257 cadres and
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officials, cadre in charge is 2,047 people and cadre in charge and plurality of 9,210
people. If dividing on average into 63 provinces/cities directly affiliated to central
level and Government Committee for Religion Affairs, there are 32 people on
average in locality. In which Government Committee for Religion Affairs has 136
people; Division (Department) for Religion Affairs of Department of Home Affairs
at provincial level has 693 people, state management cadre of religion at district
level of Division of Home Affairs is 1,218 people and communal cadre in charge
of religious work is 9,210 people.
Research of realities of team of cadre and official in charge of religious work at
levels at present shows that scope of cadre in charge of state management of
religion at levels is slender and professional skills of teams although is
consolidated, howver, there is still a rather large number of cadres who has not
qualified for level, 17% of number of cadre in system has qualifications from
college and below. Number of cadre of state managemet of religion is not trained

for state management knowledge of religion is abundant, at central level of 0.4%
and at provincial level of 21% and at district level of 27%. Number of cadre who is
trained for knowledge in state administrative management is not abundant, only at
district level with 250/2047 people, accounting for 36.1%. Number of cadre and
official of ethnic minorities is very low with 204 people, rate is 9.97% though
Protestantism accounts for majority of ethnic minirity fellow-citizen areas
3.2.4. State management of some administrative contents for Protestantism
3.2.4.1. For recognition of organization and point & group of Protestantism
With recognition of more 08 organizations, 01 provisional representative board,
consolidating 02 organizations recognized before and recognition of over 500
branches, issue of registration of religion activities to over 2,300 points and groups,
we have basically grasped main managemement clues at Central level, helping
localities to give more exactly statistics of Protestantism situation... From that
reason, building up data system of Protestantism, it is convenient for monitoring,
updating and assessing correctly Protestantism situation, making practical ground
for defining guidelines and policy for Protestantism.
3.2.4.2. For mass mobilization
So that people and Protestants work in accordance with regulations of law, are
not taken advantage, involved in violating state law and encroaching upon national
security and public order by wrongdoers, local authorities have attached much
importance to work of propaganda, dissemination of law to people and ethnic
minority fellow-citizens.
Activities of military, public security and border soldier agencies at localities
have been strongly pushed up, every year there are programs and plans to
strengthen cadre to difficult areas, implementing tasks such as education,
propaganda of law to Protestants; organizing examination and treatment, helping
followers to construct house and stabilize production and fighting against plots
taking advantage of Protestantism to do illegal things, encroaching upon peaceful
life of people. Mobilizing Protestants to take part in fighting and preventing
crimes, building up people’s security arrangements, in combination with a strong

nation-wide defense in all the country area.
The survey result of real situation shows that work of mobilization and
encouragement of believers and dignitaries of Protestantism is not well
implemented, namely: 66/300 opinions are considered as not well implemented,
16


accounting for 22.0% in which cadre and official of state management is 41/300
opinions, accounting for 20.5%, cadre of front and organizations is 25/100
opinions, accounting for 12.5%.
3.2.4.3. For foreign relations and training and improvement of Protestant
dignitaries
With that the Government Prime Minister has issued the Decree
No.01/2005/CT-TTg has contributed to change opinions of many foreign
organizations and individuals concerning to religious situation and Protestantism in
Viet Nam. From that they are worried till they share, agree and have active
assessments, making contribution to put Viet Nam to become a 150th member of
WTO (November 2006), non-permanent member of the United Nations (July
2007) and force USA to put Viet Nam out of list of country of particular concern,
sign permanent normal trade relations with Viet Nam (December 2006).
3.2.4.4. For management and consideration of approval of building up facilities,
architecture and religious works of Protestantism
Over the past years, Government Committee for Religion Affairs has
strengthened to coordinate with many relevant Minsitries, Branches and Localities
in acting as an advisor and proposing the Government to solve issues relating to
religious house and land; considering and approving repair, rehabilitation and new
construction of architectural works of organizations, factions and points and groups
of Protestantism. With advisor work of Government Committee for Religion
Affairs, the Government has issued the Decree 1940/2012/CT-TTg on religious
house and land. However, up to present time, solution of legitimate requirements

of organizations, factions, points and groups of Protestantism is not appropriately
concerned by authority levels.
Because shortage of a place of worship and policy of sales and use of land for
Protestant organizations over the past years has brought to a lot of arising issues
such as: Borrowing land to build illegal chapel, turning private house into chapel,
complaints and lawsuits of land have been increasingly more complicated. In many
localities, stealthy phenomenon of building illegal chapel in terrace field, even
there are matters encroaching upon security and public order with a reason starting
from land or construction of a place of worship.
3.2.5. Activities of inspection, control and activities of fighting and preventing
behaviors to take advantage of Protestantism to encroach upon security and
public order
 Activities of inspection and control
Inspection and control of implementing policy and law on religion and
Protestantism is extremely important work in implementing state management task
of religion that is regularly and effectively maintained. Every year, Government
Committee for Religion Affairs has organized many teams of inspection and
interdisciplinary inspection aiming at controling the implementation of regulations
of law on religious faith, regulations of law on Protestantism. In addition,
inspection of Government Committee for Religion Affairs has also aimed at
supervising and speeding up, solving house and land relating to religion in general
and Protestantism in particular. Besides, every year, Government Committee for
Religion Affairs has also proposed provinces and cities directly affiliated to central
level to self control the implementation of law and state policy on religion and
Protestantism, send a report to Government Committee for Religion Affairs
17


Localities are conducted to inspect and control regularly by Government
Committee for Religion Affairs including provinces and cities directly affiliated to

central level with hot points of religion and Protestantism, localities have a
situation of long complaints and lawsuits relating to religion for many years
however they are not solved definitively by local authorities especially localities
with hot development of Protestantism in Northwest and Central Highlands area.
Committee for Religion Affairs of Home Affairs Department of provinces and
cities has handled a case in a law court and solved over 300 letters of complaints
and lawsuits, denoucement relating to religion and Protestantism, in which has
settled or submitted to competent state agencies for solving 71% of contents, so far
there have been 70 applications and letters in settlement, accounting for nearly
30% and essentially contents of land, assets and a place of worship.
For control and supervision work of implementation of policy and guidelines of
the Party, policy and state law on faith, religion and Protestantism is relatively well
implemented by function agencies, however there are still opinions considered as
high effective unperformance especially contents of control and supervision of
implementing guidelines, policy and law of the Party and the Government of
organizations, factions and Protestants. The result of survey shows that 116/300 of
opinions are not good, accounting for 38.7%.
 Activities of fighting and preventing behaviors to take advantage of faith
Effective implementation and fulfilment of the Decree No.01/2015/CT-TTg has
contribution to push back and prevent effectively activities taking advantage of
Protestantism of hostile influence.
From 2005 up to now, issue "Dega Protestantism" has been basically solved,
defeating a plot and intention using "Dega Protestantism" to demonstrate, riot and
is actively fighting to prevent a plot taking advantage Protestantism to gather force
for the purpose of "Mong Kingdom" in Northern provinces. For Protestants with
extremist and hostile activities, organization of political attack, neutralization and
isolation and lower prestige of them has been implemented. For some objects that
must be settled by law, majority of dignitaries and followers have agreed to support
and complicated reaction is not happened.
3.3. General assessment of real situation of state management for

Protestantism activities in Viet Nam over the past years
3.3.1. Results achieved
Re-acknowledging over the past years under supply of drastic concrete
guidance of the Party, management of agencies in charge of religious work, we
have achieved a lot of important results in state management for Protestantism
activities, it is able to generalize the results achieved as follows:
- Firstly, legal system of religious faith has been more and more built up and
completed.
- Secondly, system of agencies in charge of state management of religion at
locality has been increasingly consolidated and strengthened more about scope,
organization and personnel in conformity with situation of realities of religious
work.
- Thirdly, team of cadre and official in charge of religious work has been more
and more consolidated, pushed up and increased for quantity and quality.
- Fourthly, implementing well programs and plans of religion and
Protestantism.
18


- Fifthly, organizing and implementing registration of Protestantism activities
points and groups for the grassroots with requirement of faith following, generally
faith activities regisitration points and groups often comply well with policy of the
Party, policy and state law. Faith activity is stable and healthy in accordance with
regulations of state law.
- Sixthly, work of leadership, direction, management and operation of steering
committee 160, the People’s Committee of levels and agencies in charge of
religious work have brought into full play efficiently, initiatively, creatively and
timely thus state management effectiveness of Protestantism has been raised.
- Seventhly, agencies of public security, border and military force at localities
have made a plan to initiate and prevent vatious crimes taking advantage of

Protestantism to encroach upon national security and public order.
- Eighthly, aspect of the countryside, mountainous and border area has changed
clearly, infrastructure and welfare projects have been increasingly newly
constructed and invested.
- Ninthly, policy of agricultural, forest encouragement, land and forest
allocation is strongly pushed up to implement by localities, making life of people
gradually change better.
3.3.2. Some limits and insufficiency
- Some religious guidelines and policies are late for institutionalization
- State management apparatus of religion at central level and at locality in
recent years is short of stability.
- At present, there are around over 400 thousand people with faith activities at
unregistered and unissued points and groups, this means that 40% of Protestantism
activities points and groups are not managed by authorities. Especially, in recent
time, issue and registration of religious activities is in conformity with points.
- There are ways of understanding and different application for some contents
as stipulated in the law on faith and religion.
- Implementation and grasping thoroughly of policies of the Party, policy and
law of the Government of some executive committees, authorities at grassroots
level has also brought a heavy formalism, shortage of inspection and supervision
and speeding up.
- Socio-economic and cultureal development process is not stable, sustainable,
does not solve issues of work to people.
- There is no change in economic structure of agriculture and countryside and
assigned of labor.
- Work for fighting and preventing crimes relating to Protestantism has got a
fixed result, however it has not brought into full play of effectiveness.
3.3.3. Reason of the above results
3.3.3.1. Reason of success
- Obtaining the above results first of all is that we have right guidelines and

policy of the Party on religious issues and missionary work, work for Protestantism
in Viet Nam in international integration period.
- Policy and state law is increasingly supplementary and improved.
- Work for Protestantism during the past years has received concern of the
Party level, local authority and drastic and synchronous solutions of all political
systems.
- Professional skills and operations of a team of cadre and official in charge of
19


religious work have been more and more raised.
- Effectiveness from state economic development policies.
3.3.1.2. Reason of limitation
- Legal system on religious faith in Viet Nam although has been supplemented,
however it is not completed and many contents and arising issues in religious
activities have not stipulations causing difficulties in state management.
- Policies on house and land, religious legal person; policy of building
architectural works such as church, chapel relating to Protestantism; policy of
registering points and groups, registration of activities; activities of dignitaries and
believers are much difficult.
- Some localities and authorities at provincial level due to insufficient
awareness of guidelines of the Party and policy and state law on religious faith.
- Organization of apparatus in charge of missionary work is short of stability.
Cadre force in charge of missionary work is slender and short of synchronism and
short and weak of professional skills and operations. Means and facilities of
materials for work are poor and underdeveloped; there is no policy of treatment of
cadre in charge of missionary work.
- Activities of coordination between agencies, political organizations and social
organizations have been not effective and formalistic.
3.3.4. Issues set forth in state management for activities of Protestantism

Through assessing real situation of state management for activities of
Protestantism in Viet Nam, the thesis has pointed out some issues in need of
research and consideration in the next period: (1) improving legal system of
organization and activities of religious faith, Protestantism; (2) strengthening
system of state management apparatus organization and team of cadre and official
of state management of religion at levels; (3) recognition of points and groups and
establishment of Protestant branch; (4) issue of a place of worship and religious
activities outside a place of worship; (5) training issue and promotion of
dignitaries; (6) management of Protestant organizations, groups and factions have
not been recognized; (7) issue of religious activities of foreigner in Viet Nam; (8)
participation in socialization of education, vocational training and charity and
humanity health; (9) consolidated requirement and division into independent
Protestant organization and (10) issue of legal person of Protestant organization.
Chapter 4
DIRECTION AND SOLUTION TO STATE MANAGEMENT FOR
PROTESTANTISM ACTIVITIES IN VIET NAM
4.1. Opinions, direction and principle of state management for Protestantism
activities
4.1.1. Opinions of the Communist Party of Viet Nam on religious work and
Protestantism
On 12 March 2003, the Central Committee has issued the Resolution 25NQ/TW the Resolution of the 7th Conference, the IXth Central Committee on
religious work, contents of the Resolution have affirmed: “Religious activities and
religious work must aim at pushing up religious fellow-citizen solidarity in block of
the whole great national unity, bringing into full play of general strength of the
whole nation, implementing victory of national industrilization and modernization,
building and protecting firmly Fatherland for the purpose of rich people, strong
20


country, equal, democratic and civilized society

In order to implement objective and direction, the Resolution 25-NQ/TW has
set forth some following opinions:
Firstly, religious faith is the spirit demand of a part of people, it is and will
exist together with nation in socialist building process in Viet Nam. Religious
fellow-citizens are part of block of great national unity
Implementing consistently policy of respect and guarantee for faith freedom,
following or unfollowing any religion, right of normal religious activities in
accordance with law. Religions are operated within law, equality to law.
Secondly, the Party and the State has implemented consistently policy of great
national unity. Fellow-citizen solidarity in different religions; fellow-citizen unity
following religion and fellow-citizen unfollowing religion. Keeping and bringing
into full play of active value of tradition of worship of ancestor, respecting for
credited person with Fatherland and people. Prohibiting differentiation and
treatment for citizen because of religious faith reason. At the same time,
prohibiting to take advantage of religious faith to organize superstititous activities,
activities contrary to law and policy of the State, incite to divide people, divide
nations, disturb the peace and encroach upon national security.
Thirdly, core contents of religious work is work of mass mobilization.
Objective of rich people, strong country, equal, democratic and civilized society is
the similar point to have a strong attachment to fellow-citizens of religions with
general achievements. All citizens without discrimination of religious faith have
the right and obligations for building and protection of motherland.
Fourthly, religious work is responsibility of both political system, making good
religious work is responsibility of the whole political system led by the Party.
Organization of apparatus and team of cadre in charge of religious work has direct
responsibility, it is necessary to be consolidated and strengthened. State
management work for religions and fighting and preventing to take advantage of
religion to resist against regime will be only successful if making good mass
mobilization work.
Fifthly, issue of following faith and missionary work.

- All believers have the right to freely do religious work at family and a legal
place of worship under regulations of law.
- Religious organization accepted by the Government to operate under law and
protected by law, permitted to operate religion, open training school for dignitaries
and monk, publishing bible books and keeping, repairing and building a place of
religious worship in accordance with regulations of law.
- Following faith, missionary work as well as all other religious activities must
comply with the Constitution and law, does not take advantage of religions to
propagandize heresy, superstititous activities, not permitted to force people to
follow faith. Organizations of missionary work, missionaries and illegal misionary
methods are probihited, violating regulations of constitution and law.
4.1.2. Forecast of development tendency of Protestantism in the next years
Although Protestantism in Viet Nam in recent years has a tendency to slow
development, however tendency to increasing development is still essential. From
2010 to 2015, Protestantism has increased around 110,000 followers, up to around
one million believers of approximately nearly 100 protestant faction and groups
nationwide.
21


In the years to come, with opening the door of international intensive
integration of country, together with boom of science and technology; information
and communications, Protestantism is forecasted that it will develop strongly in
Viet Nam, it is able to have more organizations, factions and groups of new
protestantism. Scope of protestant still continue to increase, number of foreigners
who has demand on Protestantism activities in Viet Nam increases strongly,
especially in Ha Noi city, Ho Chi Minh city and provinces with many industrial
parks with foreign investment capital. Activities of protestant organizations and
factions still happen complicatedly, issue of taking advantage of Protestantism to
encroach upon security and public order still continue to happen in some localities

....
4.1.3. Direction of state management for Protestantism activities
On 04 February 2005, the Government Prime Minister has issued the Decree
No.01/2005/CT-TTg on some works for Protestantism. Contents of the Decree
have shown some following orientations for Protestantism in Viet Nam at present
as follows:
- Organizing to grasp thoroughly and implementing fully policies of the Party,
state law on religious faith and policy for Protestantism; at the same time
organizing to implement well programs of economic, cultural and social
development, raising life of materials and spirit to people, creating conditions for
Protestantism followers to have a strong attachment to community, take part
increasingly better in economic, cultural and social activities, making active
contribution to building and protection process of Fatherland.
- Strenthening work of propaganda, mobilization and creating favorable
conditions for dignitaries and Protestants to implement well policy of the Party and
state law on religious faith, bringing activities of Protestantism to normal order and
discipline, in suitability with law; mobilizing all dignitaries and followers to live
"good life beautiful religion, ''service of Christ, service of Motherland and nation''.
- Guiding and helping the Evangelical Church of Viet Nam (North) and
the Evangelical Church of Viet Nam (South) implement religious activities in
accordance with Charter and Statutes of Church and comply with regulations of
law.
Due to diffrence between Protestantism factions at regions and areas, thus it is
necessary to have specific itinerary policy to implement differently:
For compatriots following Protestantism in Central Highlands, South Truong
Son and Central provinces:
+ Continuing to consider and recognize Branches of the Evangelical Church
of Viet Nam (South) and creating favorable conditions for the Branches to
construct a place of worship, training and arranging dignitaries to guide faith to
Branches recognized under regulations of law.

+ For places without enough conditions for being recognized to set up Branch,
if compatriots following faith there have requirements for pure religious activities,
undertake to comply with regulations of law, do not follow Fulro reactionaries, do
not involve in “Montagnard protestants”, communal and ward authorities will
create favorable conditions for compatriots to implement normal religious
activities at family or accept to fellow-citizens to register faith activities at suitable
place in hamlet and village.
For compatriots of Northern mountainous area based on faith requirement to
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have a suitable policy in direction:
+ First direction: for part of compatriots who has got a time of following
Protestantism and has actual faith requirement, first of all, guiding the compatriots
to have religious activities at family or wherever has demand, guiding the
compatriots to register religious activities at suitable place at hamlet and village.
When meeting fully conditions, creating favorably conditions for compatriots to
have a normal religious activities under regulations of law.
+ Second direction: for a part of compatriots who have followed faith, now
have requirement to come back with traditional faith of nation, it is necessary to
create conditions and help so that compatriots implement their aspirations.
- Notifying in public to compatriots to know clearly people under the cloak of
Protestantism dignitaries to operate resistance against nation, sowing national
division and their law violating behaviors as well as measures to handle and policy
of tolerance of Viet Nam government. Strictly settling illegal missionaries under
law.
- For organizations and faction of Protestantism that have not enough
conditions under regulations of law to recognized legal entity if considering
actuality of faith requirement, guiding them to implement registration of faith
activities with communal and ward authorities.

4.2. Solution of improving state management for Protestantism activities in
Viet Nam at present
Through research of theoretical fundamentals and investigation of realities of
state management for Protestantism activities in Viet Nam, the thesis has built up a
system of 07 solutions aiming at raising effectiveness of state management for
Protestantism activities in Viet Nam in the next period.
- Renovating work of propaganda and mobilization of followers and dignarities
of Protestantism.
- Improving legal document system, policy of religion and Protestantism
- Strenthening apparatus organization and team of cadre and official in charge
of religious work.
- Investing infrastructure, socio-economic development in crowded area and
ethnic minority and distant area of Protestantism followers.
- Strenthening management of religious activities of Protestantism; fighting and
preventing to take advantage of Protestantism to encroach upon national security and
public order.
- Attaching religious policy to national policy, pushing up coordination between
state agencies in state management for Protestantism activities.
- Inspecting, controlling and solving absolutely complaints and denunciation
relating to state management for Protestantism activities.
4.3. Recommendations
Through research of theoretical fundamentals and investigations of realities, the
thesis has set forth some recommendations for the Government, Government
Committee for Religious Affairs; relevant Ministries and Branches and local
authorities in implemenation of more effectiveness of state management for
Protestantism activities in Viet Nam at present.

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