​Religion Bulletin - December 2024 Security Tightened During the Commemoration of Huỳnh Phú Sổ's Birthday​

In December 2024, There Were Several Notable Events Concerning Religious Freedom in Việt Nam:​

• The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) continued to express concerns about Việt Nam's religious freedom.​
• Two independent Protestant followers were shot with rubber bullets.​
• The publication of a book about Thích Minh Tuệ was banned.

Latest Religious Statistics in Việt Nam

According to the Government Committee for Religious Affairs, as of December 2024, Việt Nam recognized 40 organizations belonging to 16 religions, with more than 28 million followers (accounting for over 28% of the population). 

However, the same Committee for Religious Affairs stated in the White Paper on Religion and Religious Policy in Việt Nam that as of early 2023, Việt Nam had recognized only 36 religious organizations under 16 religions, with 26.5 million followers. 

This means that the country has recognized four additional religious organizations in nearly two years, with approximately 1.5 million new followers. 

An Giang Province: Security Tightened During the Commemoration of Huỳnh Phú Sổ’s Birthday

According to reports on several social media platforms, on Dec. 24, 2024, authorities in Long Giang Commune, Chợ Mới District, An Giang Province, intensified security measures to prevent Pure Hòa Hảo Buddhist followers from attending the commemoration of Huỳnh Phú Sổ’s birthday. 

Huỳnh Phú Sổ was the founder of the Hòa Hảo Buddhist sect in Việt Nam, known for combining religious teachings with nationalist and anti-colonial activism during the French colonial era.

Local authorities set up checkpoints and stationed guards along the road leading to the temporary headquarters of the Central Management Board of Pure Hòa Hảo Buddhism in Long Hòa Hamlet. As a result, followers were forced to set up home altars for prayers instead of gathering at the headquarters.

In 2023, local authorities also prohibited followers from hanging flags or banners, setting up ceremonial platforms, and attending the commemoration at the headquarters of the Central Executive Committee of Pure Hòa Hảo Buddhism. 

So far, Việt Nam has only recognized the Hòa Hảo Buddhist Church, while other Hòa Hảo Buddhist groups or organizations are considered illegal.

Huỳnh Phú Sổ’s Birthday (November 25, 1920, Lunar calendar) is one of the most important events for Hòa Hảo Buddhist followers. Usually, only the state-recognized Hòa Hảo Buddhist Church is allowed to hold this commemoration. 

Additionally, the government does not allow religious organizations to hold ceremonies for the Day of the Master's Disappearance (Feb. 25, 1947, on the Lunar calendar). 

USCIRF Continues to Express Concerns over Việt Nam’s Religious Freedom

On Dec. 12, 2024, the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) issued a press release stating that Việt Nam has increasingly intensified its repression of independent religious communities, including Khmer Krom Buddhists, Montagnard Protestants, independent Cao Đài followers, and especially groups classified as “new religions, strange faiths, or heretical sects.”

Previously, in September 2024, USCIRF also asserted that Việt Nam was using state-recognized religious organizations as tools to suppress independent religious communities. 

At the beginning of 2024, Việt Nam remained on the U.S. Special Watch List for religious freedom violations. 

In May 2024, the European Union (EU) released its report on Việt Nam’s human rights situation in 2023, stating that independent religious groups faced continuous harassment from the authorities. 

Two Independent Protestant Followers Shot with Rubber Bullets

According to RFA, on Dec. 1, 2024, Y Hưng Ayun, an independent Protestant from Tara Puôr Hamlet, Hòa Đông Commune, Krông Pắc District, Đắk Lắk Province, was shot in the leg with rubber bullets by two masked individuals riding a motorbike. 

Y Hưng Ayun had previously served nine years in prison on charges of “undermining national unity policies.”

Earlier, on Sept. 25, 2024, another independent Protestant, Y Phô Êban (from Cuê Hamlet, Băng Adrênh Commune, Krông Ana District, Đắk Lắk Province) experienced a similar attack while cutting grass at his family’s coffee plantation.

However, Y Phô Êban’s injuries were more severe, as his shin bone was fractured.

As of now, there has been no official response from the authorities regarding these two shootings.

Thái Nguyên Authorities Prevent Followers from Distributing Falun Gong Materials

According to Thái Nguyên Newspaper, local authorities intervened to stop two individuals from preaching and distributing Falun Gong materials in Thái Nguyên City. 

Authorities confiscated documents and items related to the Falun Gong movement.

Falun Gong is one of the new religious movements that the government does not permit to disseminate materials or to practice publicly.

State media and authorities have often linked Falun Gong to the infamous Bình Dương cement barrel murder case in May 2019. At that time, the Vietnamese authorities discovered two male bodies encased in concrete in a rented house in Bình Dương Province, leading to the arrest of four women who confessed to the killings, citing conflicts arising during their practice of Falun Gong. The group's leader, Phạm Thị Thiên Hà, was later sentenced to death for her role in the murders.

However, to date, no official evidence has been provided to establish a direct connection between Falun Gong practice and the crime. This has led many to mistakenly associate the murder with Falun Gong practitioners. 

Those caught practicing Falun Gong in Việt Nam may face administrative fines and have their materials confiscated.

The Book About Monk Thích Minh Tuệ Has Been Banned

A book about Thích Minh Tuệ, Fragrance Against the Wind: The Learning Journey of Monk Minh Tuệ (Hương Bay Ngược Gió: Bước Chân Tập Học của Sư Minh Tuệ) by Phạm Hiền Mây, has been banned from distribution. 

According to reports, the book was published by Khai Tâm Co. in collaboration with the Đà Nẵng Publishing House. It primarily compiles the sayings and Dharma talks of Thích Minh Tuệ during his six-year pilgrimage across Vietnam.

The Đà Nẵng Publishing House granted a publishing license for the book on Sept. 20, 2024, and it was officially submitted for archival on Oct.r 24. However, on Dec. 12, Khai Tâm Co. was informed that the book was not allowed to be distributed. Hoàng Nhơn, director of Khai Tâm Cultural Co., stated that he has not yet received an official explanation for the ban.

Thích Minh Tuệ has become a notable figure in Vietnam. In May 2024, the government-recognized Vietnam Buddhist Sangha issued a statement asserting that he was not a monk under its organization. The statement also claimed that some individuals had exploited his image to misrepresent the monastic life of the Sangha.

Thích Minh Tuệ is still continuing his pilgrimage on foot to India.