USCIRF Calls for Vietnam to Be Designated as 'Country of Particular Concern' Over Religious Repression

Key Events

• Vietnam's Crackdown on Religious Communities Prompts U.S. Commission's Alarm
• Former Political Prisoner Vũ Quang Thuận Alleges Unauthorized Police Surveillance in Home
• Vietnam Arrests Four Khmer Krom Activists for Alleged Online Dissent
• Vietnam Launches National Data Association to Lead Digital Transformation
• Vietnam Plans Major Administrative Overhaul Across 52 Provinces and Cities

USCIRF Report Highlights Escalating Violations of Religious Freedom in Vietnam

The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) has recommended that Vietnam be designated a "Country of Particular Concern" (CPC) due to escalating religious freedom violations. This recommendation, part of USCIRF's 2025 Annual Report released on March 25, 2025, highlights the Vietnamese government's increased repression of independent religious communities.

The report documents systematic abuses against groups such as Khmer Krom Buddhists, Montagnard Protestants, and Cao Đài followers. Incidents include the imprisonment of five Khmer Krom Buddhist monks, disruption of Cao Đài worship services, and forced renunciations of faith among Montagnard Protestants.

Vietnam's Law on Belief and Religion, enacted in 2018, imposes stringent controls on religious activities, requiring organizations to register with the state. The USCIRF report notes that these regulations are applied unevenly, often leading to harassment and persecution of unregistered groups, particularly in rural areas. ​

In September 2024, USCIRF released a report titled "State-Controlled Religion and Religious Freedom in Vietnam," detailing how the Communist Party of Vietnam utilizes state-controlled religious organizations to dominate religious life and suppress independent communities. ​

USCIRF Chair Stephen Schneck emphasized that such actions are inconsistent with Vietnam's role as a United Nations Human Rights Council member. He urged the U.S. government to press Vietnam for the release of religious prisoners and to amend restrictive laws hindering religious freedom. ​

From the report, USCIRF states that the Vietnamese government is currently detaining 81 individuals due to their religious beliefs. These detainees include members of independent religious groups such as Khmer Krom Buddhists, Montagnard Protestants, and practitioners associated with the Buddhist sect Thiền Am Bên Bờ Vũ Trụ. The USCIRF highlights that these arrests are part of a broader pattern of religious repression, encompassing tactics like forced renunciations of faith, harassment, and imprisonment of those engaging in peaceful religious activities.

In light of these ongoing violations, the USCIRF has recommended that the U.S. government refrain from recognizing Vietnam as a market economy until significant improvements in religious freedom are observed. This recommendation aligns with the U.S. Department of Commerce's August 2024 decision to maintain Vietnam's classification as a non-market economy, citing persistent state intervention that distorts market principles.

The USCIRF's stance underscores the interconnectedness of human rights considerations and economic policy, suggesting that advancements in religious freedom should be a prerequisite for Vietnam's progression toward market economy status.​

The USCIRF's recommendation to designate Vietnam as a CPC underscores the severity of religious freedom violations in the country and calls for increased international attention to address these ongoing issues.​

Political Dissident Claims Police Install Cameras Without Consent

RFA Vietnamese reports that activist Vũ Quang Thuận has accused local police of installing surveillance cameras inside his residence without his consent. Thuận, a key figure in the pro-democracy organization Phong trào Chấn hưng Nước Việt, was arrested in March 2017 for "propaganda against the state" and sentenced to eight years in prison with an additional five years of probation. He was released on February 22, 2025, eight days prior to completing his term.

According to Thuận, while he was hospitalized for severe health issues, local authorities coerced his elderly parents into allowing the installation of two large surveillance cameras—one positioned in the courtyard and another in the living room. He expressed strong discontent, stating that such actions violate human rights and lack legal justification. ​

Currently under probation in Thụy Trường Commune, Thái Thụy District, Thái Bình Province, Thuận resides with his 95-year-old father and 80-year-old stepmother. He reported that this surveillance installation represents an escalation in the local police's intrusion into his private life, noting a prior warrantless search of his home shortly after his release. He likened these actions to those of "gangsters" rather than law enforcement officials. ​

Post-release, political prisoners in Vietnam typically face probation and are required to report monthly to local police. However, the forced installation of surveillance equipment inside a private residence is unprecedented, according to RFA Vietnamese's observations. RFA Vietnamese has not been able to verify these allegations with local authorities. ​

Khmer Krom Monk and Activists Detained Over Social Media Posts in Vietnam

Vietnamese authorities in Trà Vinh Province have arrested four individuals—Đặng Ngọc Thanh, Thạch Nga, Venerable Kim Som Rinh, and Thạch Xuân Đồng—on charges of "abusing democratic freedoms" under Article 331 of the Vietnamese Penal Code. The arrests, announced on March 27, 2025, are linked to the individuals' online activities, including posts accusing local authorities of human rights violations. 

Venerable Kim Som Rinh, a respected Khmer Krom Buddhist monk, has been an outspoken advocate for indigenous rights and religious freedom. His Facebook page, boasting over 50,000 followers, featured recent posts highlighting human rights issues faced by the Khmer community in Vietnam. Similarly, activists Thạch Nga and Thạch Xuân Đồng have been active in addressing local governance and human rights concerns. 

The arrests have drawn criticism from human rights organizations. The Khmers Kampuchea Krom Federation condemned the detentions, asserting that they exemplify ongoing repression against the Khmer Krom community, particularly targeting peaceful advocacy for indigenous rights and cultural preservation. ​

Family members of the detained have expressed distress. Lâm Thị Pung, wife of Thạch Nga, highlighted the financial and emotional strain following her husband's arrest, emphasizing their reliance on his income from recycling materials. 

Trà Vinh Province is home to Vietnam's second-largest Khmer population after Sóc Trăng Province. The Khmer Krom community has long sought recognition as an indigenous people, a status the Vietnamese government has yet to acknowledge. This lack of recognition continues to be a point of contention, with activists advocating for the right to self-determination and cultural preservation. 

These arrests underscore the Vietnamese government's ongoing use of legal provisions to suppress dissent and control online expression, raising concerns about the state of human rights and freedom of speech in the country.​

Vietnam Enhances Maritime Capabilities with Spratly Islands Growth

According to a new report by the Asia Maritime Transparency Initiative at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, Vietnam has significantly advanced its expansion efforts in the Spratly Islands over the past ten months. In 2024, it marked a record year of development and initiated new dredging activities even as some projects approached completion.

Since June 2024, Vietnam has added 641 new acres of land, maintaining the rapid pace established between November 2023 and June 2024, during which 692 acres were created. This brings Vietnam's total dredging efforts—including both landfill and harbor/channel dredging—in the disputed South China Sea to approximately 3,319 acres, representing 71% of China's total of 4,650 acres. ​

While China remains ahead in artificial land creation within the Spratly Islands, with over 3,500 acres compared to Vietnam's 2,236 acres, a notable portion of Vietnam's dredging—1,081 acres—has been dedicated to constructing eight new harbors across its outposts. This emphasis suggests that enhancing maritime logistics is central to Hanoi's expansion strategy.

Recent developments have focused on completing expansive landfill projects at various locations, including 143 new acres at Barque Canada Reef, 118 at Discovery Great Reef, 125 at Ladd Reef, and 121 at South Reef. Features such as Namyit Island and Sand Cay now appear largely complete in terms of landfill. Conversely, new dredging has commenced at the northern end of Cornwallis South Reef to expand existing structures.

Vietnam's expansion efforts since 2021 have not only aimed at increasing land area but also at enhancing military and maritime capabilities. Prior to 2021, Vietnam had four outposts equipped with harbors: Sin Cowe Island, Southwest Cay, Spratly Island, and West Reef. Since then, harbors have been added at eight more outposts, including Barque Canada Reef, Ladd Reef, Central Reef, Namyit Island, Pearson Reef, Sand Cay, South Reef, and Tennent Reef.

This substantial increase in port facilities will enable Vietnamese military and law enforcement to operate more extensively and for longer durations before returning to shore, providing a logistical advantage similar to that China utilisưzes for year-round patrols in the Spratlys. ​

Additionally, Vietnam has sought to bolster its air capabilities in the region. Last fall, a new 8,000-foot runway was constructed at Barque Canada Reef, alleviating previous limitations posed by the shorter airstrip on the Spratly Islands. Potential future runways at expanding landmasses such as Ladd Reef, Pearson Reef, and Tennent Reef remain possible.

As landfill projects near completion, the next phase of Vietnam's Spratly expansion is anticipated to involve the construction of additional facilities on these islands, further enhancing their defensive capabilities. This progression will likely attract increased attention from regional observers, particularly Beijing, which has recently voiced opposition to Hanoi's activities in the area. ​

National Data Association in Vietnam Unveils Key Leadership and Mission

The National Data Association (NDA) officially announced its leadership lineup on March 22.  Luật Khoa Magazine reported the association was established earlier under Decision No. 10 issued by the Ministry of Internal Affairs on Jan. 10.

The NDA aims to connect government agencies, businesses, organizations, and individuals engaged in data-related fields.

Its broader goal is to help build a robust data ecosystem that supports the growth of Vietnam’s digital economy and enhances the economic value of data at the national level.

On the morning of March 22, the NDA held its first National Congress of Deputies for the 2025–2030 term in Hanoi. The event also marked the debut of its Executive Committee and Standing Committee.

Addressing the congress, Secretary General Tô Lâm emphasized that Politburo Resolution No. 57 identifies “data as the center of digital transformation and a key driver of development.” He expressed hopes that the NDA would serve as a hub for pioneering “digital knights” and help turn Vietnam into a data-driven digital nation.

In line with this vision, the Ministry of Public Security is currently leading the drafting of the Personal Data Protection Law, as outlined in the 2025 legislative agenda of the National Assembly. The draft law is expected to be reviewed in the 9th session and officially adopted during the 10th session in October 2025.

Provincial Merger Plans in Vietnam: 11 Provinces and Centrally Governed Cities Are Expected to Remain Unaffected

Luat Khoa Magazine has reported that on March 23, Vietnam’s Ministry of the Interior submitted Proposal 624 of the draft resolution prepared by the Standing Committee of the National Assembly. The draft resolution was on restructuring administrative units at multiple levels nationwide.

The draft sets out six key criteria for evaluating and arranging provincial and commune-level units: (1) Natural Area, (2) Population Size, (3) History, Tradition, Culture, Religion, and Ethnicity, (4) Geo-Economy, (5) Geopolitics, and (6) Defense and Security.

Based on these criteria, 52 out of 63 localities—including 48 provinces and four centrally governed cities—are expected to undergo mergers and administrative streamlining.

There will be 48 affected provinces and four centrally governed cities, including Hải Phòng, Đà Nẵng, Hồ Chí Minh City, and Cần Thơ.

Meanwhile, 11 provinces and cities will not be included in the restructuring: Lai Châu, Điện Biên, Sơn La, Cao Bằng, Lạng Sơn, Quảng Ninh, Hà Nội, Thanh Hóa, Nghệ An, Hà Tĩnh, and Huế.

At the commune level, 9,996 out of 10,035 communes nationwide are slated for reorganization.

Speaking at a March 26 conference, National Assembly Vice Chairman Trần Quang Phương noted that the upcoming 9th session will be particularly demanding, with 42 legislative items and over 20 key agenda points, including proposed constitutional amendments, all within a shortened preparation period.

National Assembly Chairman Trần Thanh Mẫn added that public consultation on amending the 2013 Constitution is expected to occur between May and June, lasting one month.

The restructuring of provinces and cities is scheduled for completion by August 30 and will take effect from September. Commune-level restructuring is expected to wrap up by June 30.

Quick Takes:

Vietnam Buddhist Sangha to Streamline Organization, Eliminate District-Level Structures

In alignment with the Communist Party of Vietnam's directive to streamline governmental structures, the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha (VBS) announced plans to eliminate its district-level organizations. This restructuring will transition the VBS to a two-tier system comprising provincial and communal levels. The move mirrors the state's ongoing consolidation efforts, which have reduced the number of provinces and cities from 63 to 34. Official guidelines for this organizational change are expected by the end of March.

Vietnam Approves Controlled Starlink Internet Pilot by Elon Musk’s SpaceX

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