Summary of Doctoral thesis in public Administration Management: State management for religious activities in Vietnam today

NATIONAL ACADEMY OF PUBLIC
ADMINISTRATION

HA NGOC ANH

STATE MANAGEMENT FOR RELIGIOUS ACTIVITIES
IN VIETNAM TODAY

Fielld of study: Public Administration Management
Code: 62 34 82 01

SUMMARY OF DOCTORAL THESIS
IN PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION MANAGEMENT

HA NOI - 2019


The work is completed at:
NATIONAL ACADEMY OF PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION

Scientific supervisor: 1. Prof. PhD. Do Quang Hung
2. Ass.Prof. PhD Hoang Van Chuc

Reviewer 1:
Reviewer 2:
Reviewer 3:

The thesis is protected in the presence of the Academy-level
Thesis Review Council.
Location: Meeting room - Building A - National Academy of
Public Administration

No.: 77 - Nguyen Chi Thanh Road - Dong Da District - Hanoi
Time: At … o’clock … day … month ... year 2019

This thesis can be found at the National Library of Vietnam
or Library of National Academy of Public Administration


PREFACE
1. The urgency of the thesis
Vietnam is a multi-religious nation. At present, religious followers in
Vietnam account for a large proportion of 25.3 million (27% of the
population) being an important force in the mass unity of the entire people
to build, protect and develop the socialist country of Vietnam [117].
In Vietnam, since its inception, religion has always played an
important role in the political, cultural and spiritual life of society,
associated with the nation and serving the national interests throughout the
history of building and protecting the country. Religion is a delicate,
sensitive and complex issue. Therefore, addressing issues arising from
religion needs to be done in a very careful and accurate manner; both
demanding to maintain the principles, in accordance with the law, at the
same time to be flexible and soft under Ho Chi Minh's ideology and the
Party's viewpoint: Respect the rights to freedom of beliefs and faith of the
people; Every citizen following religion isequal before the law. State
management of religious activities (SMRA) shall meet the requirements:
both legally and rationally addressing the legitimate and legal belief needs
of the people, but shall timely fight against every conspiracy and plots of
exploiting religions to fight against the government, undermining national
security.
State management for religious activities in recent years has obtained
quite important results. However, the reality of the state management

renovation for religious activities still has many inadequacies that need to
be revised, supplemented and replaced in accordance with the period of
accelerating industrialization and modernization and international
integration.

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Research on SMRA not only performs well the state management of
religion but also contributes to perfecting the laws of the socialist rule-oflaw state.
Therefore, I choose a research topic: “State management of religious
activities in Vietnam today” as a doctoral thesis on Public
Administration Management.
2. Research purposes and tasks
2.1. Research purposes
On the basis of theoretical and practical research on state management
of religious activities, the thesis proposes a number of solutions to SMRA
in accordance with the law, implementing good policies of the Party and
laws of the State in Vietnam today.
2.2. Research tasks
To achieve this goal, the thesis has the following tasks:
Firstly, overview of the domestic and foreign studies on the contents
of state management for religious activities to determine the research
implementation direction of the thesis.
Secondly, clarify the rationale of state management of religious
activities in Vietnam.
Thirdly, analyze the state management practices for religious activities
in Vietnam.
Fourthly, propose solutions to ensure state management of religious
activities in Vietnam in the coming time.

3. Research object and scope of the thesis
3.1. Research object
State management of religious activities, specifically including the
institutional regulations, implementation organization and state agencies’
management process of religious activities in Vietnam today.
3.2. Research scope
In respect of time: The thesis studies on the state management of religious
activities in Vietnam from 1986 up to now.
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In respect of space: The thesis studies on state management of religious
activities in the Vietnamese territory.
4. Methodology and research method of thesis
4. 1. Methodology
The thesis uses the methods of dialectical materialism and historical
materialism of Marxist-Leninist philosophy and Ho Chi Minh's thought on
religious work and state management of religious activities.
4.2. Research method of thesis
To implement the content of the thesis, the author uses the following
specific research methods: Methods of analysis and synthesis; method of
descriptive statistics; method of induction, interpretation; Besides, the
author also uses the method of information collection, sociological survey
and investigation, etc.
5. New scientific contributions of the thesis
5.1. New theoretical contributions
Firstly, the thesis clarifies and deepens the theoretical issues of state
management of religious activities.
Secondly, the thesis clarifies the content of state management of
religious activities; studies on state management experience in religious

activities of some countries in the world and reference values for Vietnam.
5.2. New practical contribution
Firstly, the thesiscontributes to changing awareness and actions,
responsibilities of leaders, managers and managers in the state management
process of religious activities.
Secondly, the thesis analyzes and interprets the process of formation and
development of religions in Vietnam, the current legal provisions, the actual
state management practices for religious activities; assess the current status of
SMRA in Vietnam today so that leaders and managers have a general view of
this field.
Thirdly, the thesis proposes solutions to strengtheningSMRA in Vietnam,
in accordance with international practices, creating conditions for religions to
operate in line with the Party and policies and the law of the State.
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6. Theoretical and practical significance of the thesis
Research results of the thesis are important additions to the
development of state management activities on religion, contributing to
raising the theoretical awareness about the role of state agencies in
management of religious activities.
The thesis is used as a material in teaching and learning the Subject of
religion Studiesin the system of institutes, universities or making reference
materials in teaching at professional training and fostering classes for
cadresengaged in religious and civil affairs and mass-mobilization
organizations at all levels and for officials and public employees
performing tasks in the religious field.
7. Research questions
From the “gap” of related research works, the Ph.D student identifies
the research questions of the thesis, including:

1) What is the content of state management ofreligious activities in
Vietnam? What are the state management of religious activities in
Vietnam?
2) What are the current state management practices of religious
activities in Vietnam?
3) What are the views, directions and solutions to strengthen SMRA in
Vietnam in the coming time?
8. Research hypothesis
Hypothesis 1. If the State does not manage the activities of religions, it
will affect socio-economic development and national security, social order
and safety, culture and values of society.
Hypothesis 2. The enhancement of state management of religious
activities facilitates people to exercise their freedom of belief through
measures and tools of state management; at the same time strictly handling
activities of making use of religion, affecting national security, social order
and safety; contribute to implementing the Party's views on religious
people. However, state management of religious activities still shows
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many shortcomings and limitations that do not meet the practical
requirements.
9. Composition of the thesis
In addition to the Introduction, Conclusion, List of references and
Appendices, the thesis is structured in 4 chapters:
Chapter 1. Overview of the research situation related to the thesis.
Chapter 2. Theoretical basis for state management of religious
activities.
Chapter 3. Practices in state management of religious activities in
Vietnam today.

Chapter 4. Viewpoints, directions and solutions to strengthen SMRA
in Vietnam in the coming time.

Chapter 1
OVERVIEW ON THE RESEARCH RELATING
TO THE THESIS
Currently, researches on SMRA have been mentioned by many
researchers, but each workrefers to a different aspect.
Overview of research situation relates to the thesis topic in 3 groups
(Group of research works on state management theory for religious
activities; Group of studies on actual reality of state management for
religious activities and group of research projects on state management
solutions for religious activities), the thesis points out the problems that
have been solved and the values need to be inherited, including:
Firstly, most of the first group of researches are in-depth research on
issues such as: laws on religion, position and roles of religion in social life,
and the influence of Buddhism on social life, etc., but not mentioning on
the content of state management of religious activities. Therefore,
solutions and policy implications of this group of projects also focus on
improving the efficiency instate management of religious activities in the
coming time.
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Secondly, the research works of the second group have analyzed and
evaluated the implementation of policies on religious activities and
practices of some religions in Vietnam, the new context of national and
international religions that have impacts on Vietnamese religions, social
management issues on religion, and asks and questions on some strange
religions in Vietnam, etc. On the other hand, due to different times of

study, different socio-economic contexts and especially different research
methods and approaches, the evaluation and analysis of state management
in religious activities in Vietnam also have different points.
Thirdly, the group of research works on solutions for state
management solutions in religious activities. This group of works deeply
analyzes the law on religious activities, the Party's viewpoint on religion
and current religious issues and some articles with relevant contents.
However, these works have not studied on solutions to improve state
management efficiency in religious activities in perspective of the state
management.
Since then, the thesis identifies gaps to be directed to clarify and
follow up research directions that the thesis implements, including:
Firstly, continue to clarify some theoretical issues on state
management of religious activities, state management methods of religious
activities, content of state management on religion. More importantly, the
thesis continues research to form the basic theoretical framework on
current state management for religious activities.
Secondly, the research worksas summarized above do not have any
research giving an overview assessment on the state management of
religious activities. The thesis continues to study the status of SMRA
agencies in the fields, objectively assessing the status of this work
management.
Thirdly, the thesis proposes solutions to strengthen state management
of religious activities.

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Chapter 2
THEORETICAL GROUNDS OF STATE MANAGEMENT

TO THE RELIGIOUS ACTIVITIES
Chapter 2 of the thesis presents the following contents: Concepts,
religious characteristics and state management for religious activities;
Contents, methods and principles of state management for religious
activities; Factors affecting the state management of religious activities;
State management experience for religious activities of some countries in
the world and reference values for Vietnam.
2.1. Concepts, characteristics of religion and state management of
religious activities
Religion is the belief of people in supernatural, invisible, sacred forces,
intuitively accepted and interacted in a fictional way, to explain the
worldly problems as well as in the afterlife ones. That belief is manifested
in a variety of ways, depending on different historical periods, cultural
geographic circumstances, depending on the content of each religion,
which is operated by different rituals and teachings, religious activities of
different religious communities and societies.
State management of religious activities is the mode of operation
conducted by state agencies, organizations or individuals to ensure the
management of religion be performed in line with guidelines, policies,
laws, regulations on religious activities to serve the construction and socioeconomic development of the country associated with the stabilityin sociopolitics and people's life .
Religion has the following common characteristics: Religion is a
product of social development at a certain level; religion is a world of
spirituality, it is invisible and fuzzy, but unconscious, instinct and almost
eliminates the reason, the science; religion is an area that expresses the
power of the gods to escape the power of society, but in fact religion is
always associated with society, directly or indirectly related to politics and
society; religion in its original nature is humane, wants to liberate the
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human souls from the attachment of the world; religion always wants to
exist forever, asserts itself as a world of eternity, but in fact religion is a
form of social awareness; religion always wants to develop in the direction
of becoming a world power so it is spread, evangelized widely and is also
believed and followed by people in many countries around the world.
The religion of Vietnam has the following characteristics:
Firstly, the majority of religious followers in Vietnam are farmers and
come from farmers.
Secondly, there are religions that only present in a minority, but the
history of the nation's formation and development in the past used to have
a sensitive, national or territorial issues.
Thirdly, religions in Vietnam have a large number of dignitaries;
carefully selected from religious communities; trained in scale and proper
methodologyat religious establishments domestically and abroad; have a
full economic life and a prosperous material life, able to meet the religious
needs of believers.
Fourthly, the religions in Vietnam have a wide international
relationship with all the world's religions.
Fifthly, the religions in Vietnam have a wide international relationship
with all the world's religions.
Sixthly, religion is always an area where the forces hostile to Vietnam seek
to exploit and take advantage to oppose the Vietnamese revolution through every
period of national development.
2.2. Contents, methods and principles of state management of
religious activities:
Firstly, develop policies and promulgate legal documents on belief and
religion.
Secondly, formulate regulations on organization of state management
apparatus on belief and religion.
Thirdly, organize the implementation of policies and laws on belief

and religion.
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Fourthly, make dissemination and education of laws on belief and
religion.
Fifthly, do research in belief and religious fields; training and fostering
of cadres, civil servants and officials working in religious and religious
affairs.
Sixthly, inspect, examine, settle complaints and denunciations and
handling violations of the law regulations on belief and religion.
Seventhly, international relations in the field of belief and religion.
In the field of management related to belief and religion, there are 11
contents of state management for religious activities, including:
Firstly, manage the registration of religious organizations and
recognize religious organizations; Make division, merger and
consolidation of affiliated religious organizations; the registration of
religious and religious practitioners, religious monasteries, and religious
organizations.
Secondly, manage ordination, conferment, appointment, election;
discharge, dismissal, transfer in religion; management of religious activity
suspension.
Thirdly, manage congresses and conferences of religious organizations.
Fourthly, manage the registration of religious activities (regular,
unexpected, out of religious establishments).
Fifthly, manage business, export and import religious books and
religious supplies; trading, publishing and publishing religious
publications.
Sixthly, manage donations; humanitarian charity activities of religions.
Seventhly, manage the training and fostering of religious activists.

Eighthly, state management of religions, land and worship facilities of
religions.
Ninethly, manage regular and unexpected practice programs.
Tentlhly, managereligious international activities and foreign affairs.
Eleventhly, management of other religious activities, including:
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1) Managing religious dignitaries: The training of dignitaries and
religious practitioners in schools must be recognized by the State as a
guarantee of normal development of religions, ensuring inheritance for
generations of dignitaries and monks. The heads of religious dignitaries
and religious practitioners are responsible before the law for all activities;
2) Managing the ordination, appointment and transfer of religious
dignitaries and priests. For this content, the ordination, sealing,
appointment, appointment, election must meet certain conditions and be
implemented according to the charter and charter of religious
organizations; in case of foreign elements, there must be an agreement
with the central state management agency on religion;
3) Managing the handling of complaints and complaints related to
religion: Pursuant to the Law on Complaints and Denunciations and the
religious policies of the Party and State to solve immediately from the
grassroots and right authorities of each management level. Handling of
religious flashpoints must be reasonable, reasonable and lawful.
In addition, the registration of seals, seal making, change of seals,
separation and merger of grassroots church organizations, transfer of
dignitaries, establishment of associations must comply with current law
provisions.
2.2.2. State management method of religious activities
The state manages religious activities by the following methods:

Management by law, management by policy, management by inspection
and examination.
2.2.3. State management principles in religious activities
The principles of state management for religious activities include:
Equality; ensure freedom of belief and religion of citizens; unity between
religious activities and preservation of cultural values; ensuring unity,
harmony of personal, community and national and social interests;
Religious activities for the legitimate and legitimate interests of believers
must be ensured.
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Religious activities for the benefit of the Fatherland and the People are
encouraged. All acts of violating the rights to freedom of belief and
religion, taking advantage of beliefs and religions to oppose the Socialist
Republic of Vietnam, preventing believers from performing their civic
obligations, undermining the people unity, harming the healthy culture of
the nation and superstitious activities are condemned and sanctioned by
law.
2.3. Factors affecting state management of religious activities
Factors affecting state management of religious activities include:
Political factors, legal documents on religious activities, state management
apparatus on religious activities, capacity and qualifications of the
contingent of cadres and civil servants, bad forces outside take advantage
of religion, foreign relations and international cooperation.
2.4. State management experience in religious activities of some
countries in the world and reference values for Vietnam
The thesis studies state management experience for religious activities
of countries: China, Japan and the United States. From there, draw lessons
on state management for religious activities of Vietnam, including:

Firstly, there must be proper awareness and agreement on the Party and
State's guidelines and policies in the new situation.
Secondly, there must be a plan and strategy for the state management of
religious activities in line with each locality.
Thirdly, the organization of the apparatus and the contingent of religious
workers ensure both quantity and quality.
Fourthly, the coordination between the agencies and agencies in the
mobilization of mass followers must be associated with the work of
economic, cultural and social development for the people, especially in the
areas of people with religion. .
Fifthly, dealing with religious situations must be conducted through
mass mobilization and enlistment of religious cadres. Promptly praising
positive followers and simultaneously resolving the law firmly against illegal
religious activities.
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Chapter 3
CURRENT STATUS OF STATE MANAGEMENT OF THE
RELIGIOUS ACTIVITIES IN VIETNAM TODAY
3.1. Overview and current status of religious activities in Vietnam
3.1.1. The process of formation and development of religions in
Vietnam
Vietnam is a multi-ethnic, multi-religious nation, followers of
religions in Vietnam have a high demand in religious activities, especially
the religious activities of the community with a festive nature. Religion in
Vietnam has been formed and developed in association with the process of
country building up and protection of the Vietnamese people and is often
constituted by three factors: the system of doctrine and canon law; worship
rituals; religious organization with clergy force and followers; material

facilities for religious activities.
3.1.2. The number, distribution and operation of religions in
Vietnam
According to the report of the Government Committee for Religions,
in 2003, there were about 17.4 million followers in the whole country,
accounting for 21.8% of the population, 15 state-recognized religious
organizations belonging to 6 religions (Buddhism, Catholicism, Protestant,
Cao Dai, Hoa Hao Buddhism, Islam). As of 12/2018, there were 42
religious organizations and one religious approach of 15 religions
recognized and granted religious registration certificates by the State, with
about 25.3 million followers, making up 27% of the population (up 35%
compared to that in 2003), 60,799 dignitaries (up 65%), 133,662 job titles
(up 69%); 27,916 worship places (up 33%) [10].
3.1.3. The relationship between religion and ethnicity
The relationship between ethnicity and religion is expressed in many
different forms, depending on the approach aspect. However, every
approachis found that the movement and transformation of religions are
closely related to the movement and transformation of ethnic issues; on the
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contrary, the existence of the ethnic community is also closely linked to a
certain religion.
The relationship between religion and ethnicity through the main axis
of Home - Village - Country creates a stronghold. This is also the way to
transform a culture built on the spirit of patriotism into a religious
consciousness, taking the religious consciousness to consolidate the spirit
of patriotism [59, p.45].
From prehistoric times in Vietnam when the nation as a ethnic nation
was formed, at the same time ethnic and religious relations were

established. This relationship is an important and solid foundation to
absorb and receive exogenous religions spread into our country later.
3.1.4. Current status of religious activities in Vietnam
Over the past few years, religious activities of followers and
dignitaries have taken place normally within the legal framework; great
ceremonies attract many followers; training and retraining for dignitaries
in religions are focused in the direction of increasing the number of
enrollments, expanding the type of training....
However, due to the impact of globalization and the market economy ,
inadequate management, lack of synchronization of some functional
agencies and the abuse of religion by hostile forces, religious activities
also reveal some limitations, negativity, direct impact. to the religious life
and social life in our country, specifically as follows:
Firstly, about religion: Enhancing ostentatious, formal, heavy
economic activities, lightly studying and guiding practitioners to practice;
internal contradictions in some religious organizations still exist,
sometimes, there are harsh places; The management of churches and the
management of dignitaries in a number of religious organizations is not in
accordance with the rules and regulations approved by competent state
agencies.
Secondly, about security and religious order:
The status of complaints and complaints about land and religious
worship facilities is always high. The contents of complaints and
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grievances related to land, property and religious worship facilities always
account for a large proportion in the contents of the letter, the nature of the
cases is also more complicated.
Religious activities contrary to the law: The status of ordained

dignitaries or self-proclaimed reductions, especially the number of
Catholic priests and pastors, evangelizes in Protestant denominations has
been recognized by the State on organization. These objects often have
extreme attitudes.
About internal conflicts of religious organizations: Due to personal
interests or disagreement on the direction of religion, leading to internal
conflicts of some religious organizations complicated
Superstitious and superstitious activities tend to increase in some
religious establishments, especially in Buddhist institutions.
Activities of religions in ethnic areas contain many complex factors.
New religious phenomena, strange virtues, evil religion take
advantage of spiritual issues, weave supernatural forces to gather forces to
fight against the government, destabilize security and order ...
3.2. State management practices in religious activities in Vietnam
The thesis examines the reality of state management of religious
activities in Vietnam in groups of inputs and groups of output factors.
Group of inputs of state management for religious activities in
Vietnam include: Formulating policies, issuing legal documents on beliefs
and religions; organizing the state management apparatus on religious
affairs, the training and retraining of cadres and civil servants engaged in
religious and policy work.
The group of output elements of state management for religious
activities in Vietnam includes the settlement of houses related to religion
and the inspection and examination of religious activities.
3.3. Assessing the state management status of religious activities in
Vietnam today
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3.3.1. Achievements and reasons

3.3.1.1. Achievements
Firstly, change the basic awareness among the Party committees, Party
organizations and authorities at all levels on religion and state management
of religious activities.
Secondly, renovation and consolidation in the leadership, direction
and SMRA has been performed regularly and continuously.
Thirdly, on organizational apparatus and professional training and
fostering in religious affairs, it is regularly strengthened, consolidated and
taken care of by Party committees and authorities.
Fourthly, propaganda on the Party's guidelines and policies, State
policies and laws on religion and religious affairs has been enhanced.
Fifthly, international cooperation in religion has been strengthened and
expanded.
Sixthly, inspection and examination works are renewed and
strengthened.
3.3.1.2. Reasons of achievements
Firstly, because our Party and State have guidelineson renewing
policies onreligions, at the same time, set out the correct socio-economic
development guidelines and people's hearts.
Secondly, propaganda and dissemination of policies and laws on
religion for officials, dignitaries, followers of religions are well organized.
Thirdly, religious officials have been regularly fostered and improved
in qualification.
Fourthly, all levels and branches have complied with the law
provisions in dealing with violations of the policy on freedom of belief and
religion.
Fifthly, the Fatherland Front and socio-political organizations at the
grassroots have been gradually strengthened, especially in areas with a
large number of religious people.
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3.3.2. Shortcomings, limitations and causes
3.3.2.1. Shortcomings and limitations
Firstly, the system of legal documents related to religious activities is
still insufficient.
Secondly, the organization of the state management apparatus and the
contingent of religious workers are inadequate, the religious officials are
still not so qualified.
Thirdly, in some places, the training, fostering and planning of
officials working on religious affairs have not been paid adequate attention.
Fourthly, in some places, the inspection and examination are still not
conducted much or improperly conducted.
3.3.2.2. The cause of limitations
Firstly, a number of party committees, party organizations, authorities,
functional agencies and departments and a proportion of party members
are not fully aware of the Party's guidelines and policies, line and State law
on religion and religious affairs in the current situation.
Secondly, the state management on religion is still slow in innovation,
lack of synchronization, and in some cases, and particularly, in some
localities, management is poor, resulting a situation where religion is
overtaking the local government.
Thirdly, a number of guidelines and policies on religion have not been
synchronous and timely, causing embarrassment for localities, in the
process of handling.
Fourthly, the organizingsystem of the state management apparatus on
religion has not been unified.
Fifth, the planning, training and fostering of cadres and civil servants
engaged in religious work have not been given adequate attention.
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Sixthly, the management of religious relations is still not strict, there
appear many weak points for the religions to make use of.
Seventhly, the propaganda, dissemination and deployment of legal
documents related to beliefs and religions are not frequent and far-reaching
to the people, especially religiousfollowers and religious dignitaries.

Chapter 4
ORIENTATION AND SOLUTIONS FOR STRENGTHENING
THE STATEMENT MANAGEMENT OF RELIGIOUS
ACTIVITIES IN VIETNAM IN THE COMING TIME
4.1. Forecasting religious situation and religious activities in our
country in the coming time
4.1.1. The development trend of Vietnamese religion affects state
management of religious activities
The trend of globalization is affecting every aspect of social life,
including religion. The movement, transformation and development of
religion in Vietnam also do not separate that impact with specific
development trends: The trend of secularization, the trend of religious
diversification

and

modern

trends

religious

chemistry,

religious

ethnicization trends, new religious trends.
4.1.2. Issues raised in state management for religious activities in our
country today
Mastering the Party's views and policies on religious affairs and
religious affairs tasks in the new situation, thoroughly grasping the State's
policies and laws in adjusting religious activities and thesis determine
issues raised in state management for religious activities in our country
today, including:
17


Improving the effectiveness of propaganda and dissemination,
informing the audience about new trends of religion.
Religious workers need to strengthen the practice, stick with the
grassroots level, with people with religion and religious dignitaries.
4.2. Viewpoints and orientations to strengthen SMRA in Vietnam.
4.2.1. Point of view
Beliefs and religions are spiritual needs of a part of people, are and
will exist with the nation in the process of building up socialism in our
country. People of religions are part of the great unity block of the nation.
Consistently implementing the policy of respecting and ensuring freedom
of belief, following or not following a religion, the rights to normal
religious activities in accordance with the law. Religions operate within
the framework of law and are equal before the law.
In the process of completion, the authorities need to conduct seminars
to get comments of dignitaries, monks and religious intellectuals. All their

contributions are listened to and researched if they are percieved to be
reasonable and correct, they must be received and added to the text.
4.2.2. Orientation
Direction to strengthen the State management for religious activities in
Vietnam is determined by the Thesis as follows: Religious work is the
responsibility of an entire political system, in which the role of the State is
the center; Core content of religious work is mass mobilization; To bring
into play the role of each concerned ministry and branch in management
for each field of religious organizations and individuals; Combining the
State management on religion and implementing the ethnic policies.
4.3. Solutions to strengthen SMRA in Vietnam in the coming time

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The thesis proposes 3 groups of solutions to enhance the State
management for religious activities in Vietnam in the following period
with specific solutions as follows:
1. Solutions according to the State management process, including
specific solutions: Solution of mechanism, law, policies on belief and
religion; Solution of organizational apparatus, training and improving the
religious personnel; Solution of propaganda and dissemination of legal
education for religious activities; Inspecting, examining, settling
complaints and denunciations and handling violations of religion law.
2. Solutions relate to the religious activities, including specific
solutions: Regarding religiou foreign affairs; Solution improves the
material and spiritual life of religious people; Solution for land and
worship facilities of religions; Solution on coordination in management,
training, ordination and appointment of religious dignitaries; Solution on
prevention of illegal evangelism; Creating conditions for religious

organizations to follow the charter and regulations of religious
organizations recognized by the State in accordance with the law.
3. Other solutions with two specific solutions: Raising awareness
about religious work; Promote activities of the Fatherland Front and sociopolitical organizations.
4.4. Recommendations and Proposals
4.4.1. For the central level
Continuously, building and completing policies and law on beliefs and
religions in accordance with viewpoint of the Party, policies and law of the
State on beliefs and religions. Currently, the Law on Beliefs, Religions and
Decree on guiding to implement the law is available to help the State
management in the field of religion to be synchronized and convenient; it
19


is recommended that the Government early directs to issue the decree on
penalties for administrative violations in the field of religion.
The Government continues to direct the research to build and
consolidate the apparatus which implement the State management on
religion from the Central to grassroots levels according to the model which
has been implemented as before, that is: Central level is the Governmental
Committee for Religious Affairs, the ministerial-level agencies directly
under the Government, Head of the Religion Department is the Deputy
Head of the Central Commission for Mass Mobilization. At the provincial
level, the Religion Committee or (Committee for Ethnic Minorities and
Religion or the Committee for Religions and Ethnic Minorities) is directly
under the Provincial People's Committee, the Head is Deputy Head of the
Provincial Commission for Public Relations.
Ministry of Home Affairs continues to study and promulgate the
Circular on regulating the workforce, policies and standards for cadres
who engaged in religious work to help localities facilitate in planning,

training, retraining and using with high efficiency.
4.4.2. For the provincial level
People's Committee of the provinces and cities continue to study,
arrange and consolidate the apparatus organization and workforce for
religious affairs at all levels and branches to be suitable with local
practices.
Put forth the instructions to consolidate the Management Board of
temples and pagodas, ensuring the orientation and direction of the
authorities at all levels and at the same time having the representative of
the local authorities directly participating in the Management Board.
Check and supervise the sources of revenues and expenditures at temples
20


and pagodas to avoid complaints about revenues and expenditures at these
establishments as at present. Building the appropriate mechanisms,
specific regulations on using revenue sources, especially for charity work
or social welfare fund.
To intensify the inspection and examination of establishments,
especially worshiping places of religions, where should be regularly
checked and supervised the construction progress in order for religious
architectural works to be in line with the approved design and planning.
Every year, opening the training courses, improving the legal
knowledge as well as professional knowledge of beliefs and religions for
full-time officials and Party committee, authorities, unions, especially
communes, wards and towns where have many religious and religious
activities.
The Party Committees and authorities need to pay attention to the
mobilization and timely rewarding religious dignitaries to follow the
guidelines of the Party and the State's policies and laws, and many

achievements in the movement, local revolution. At the same time, there
are effective measures to prevent illegal acts of evangelization and
instigate lay people to destabilize the political situation, social order and
safety in the locality.

CONCLUSION
During the process of revolutionary leadership, our Party and State
have always determined that religious work is a strategic issue with very
important significance. Belief and religion are the spiritual needs of a part
of the people.
Religious ethics has many things in line with the construction of new
society. Being aware of the importance of religious work, over the past
years, our Party and State have issued many directives, resolutions and
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policies on beliefs and religions so as to meetthe legitimate aspirations of
fellow citizens.
The religion, material and spiritual life of the people has been
improved, thepeople of religions have increasingly believed in the Party's
innovative way of “good in both life and religion”, eagerly emulated in
production activities, developed a great unity block.
Vietnam is a multi-religious country. Religion is a sensitive
phenomenon, based on the strength of faith. Therefore, the study on the
basic contents of the characteristics and development trends of religion in
general and the religions in Vietnam in particular is indispensible in the
state management.
Thereby, it is possible and necessary to work out positive and effective
solutions. Therefore, the religious work from the central to local levels
poses many issues that need to be considered, in which, well performing

the state management on religion is making contributions to bringing
religious activities into order and stability, complying with the law,
thereby fighting to prevent the conspiracy of taking advantage of religions
by hostile forces.
State management of religion is the general management of religious
relations in a system, the organization of implementing the Party and the
State's religious policies to respect the rights to freedom, belief and
religion of a part of the people, perfoming the great unity of the entire
people, promoting the positive aspects of belief and religion.
Our Party and State always thoroughly grasp, implement the basic
principles of Marxism-Leninism and Ho Chi Minh's thought about religion,
which are: “Freedom of religious belief and freedom of non-religious
belief and requesting that all religious activities shall comply with the
Constitution and the law, every citizen, religious person and non-religious
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person are equal before the law, are responsible for building and protecting
the Country.
However, the religion is a complex and sensitive issue, so the process
of resolving and dealing with religious issues should not “subjective,
impatient, simple”, but it is necessary to distinguish clearly between belief
- spirituality and the problem of being used by evil guys, to have a proper
attitude and right behavior. All negligence, subjectiveness, impatientness
or simplicity in dealing with beliefs and religion can lead to the risk of
division, cracking the national solidarity, weakening the national power.
Through the research process, the thesis has solved the following contents:
Firstly, the thesis clarifies the theory of religion, religious activities,
State management of religious activities, contents and methods of state
management in religious activities; The thesis also generalizes the

rationale, legal and practical basis to improve the state management of
religious activities in the direction of ensuring effectiveness, efficiency and
meeting the requirements of current economic and social development;
collecting, analyzing, processing information to verify the research
hypotheses.
Research results confirm that state management of religious activities
in Vietnam today plays a very important role in the period of development
and international integration.
Secondly, the thesis also analyzes and clarifies the state management
of religious activities in Vietnam today; analyzes inadequacies and
limitations in state management of religious activities.
Thirdly, the thesis proposes a system of solutions to state management
of religious activities in the coming time to ensure state management in
this field.
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