Notable Religious Developments in September 2025

• Redemptorist Order Protests Land Seizure: The Redemptorists publicly objected to government authorities fencing off the L’Accueil property in Hồ Chí Minh City, denouncing the move as an unlawful appropriation of church land.
• Lào Cai Vows to Eliminate Independent Religions: Provincial authorities in Lào Cai announced a campaign to “completely dissolve” all unregistered and independent religious groups.
• Hòa Hảo Buddhist Follower Dies in Prison: An independent Hòa Hảo Buddhist adherent reportedly died in custody under unclear circumstances.
• Authorities Shut Down The Church of Almighty God (Hội thánh Đức Chúa Trời) Nationwide: The government issued orders to terminate all activities of the Church of Almighty God throughout Vietnam.
• Appeal Trial for one Member of “Bồng Lai Temple”: An appellate court heard the case of a member of the controversial Bồng Lai Temple community.
• Harassment of Independent Protestants: Independent Protestant groups reported police harassment during their observance of the International Day of Commemoration for Victims of Violence Based on Religion or Belief.

Redemptorist Order Protests Government’s Fencing of L’Accueil Property

On Sept. 1, 2025, just one day ahead of Vietnam’s National Day, the authorities in Huế abruptly erected fences and began preparing for construction on the L’Accueil property at 87 Nguyễn Huệ Street, a site that belonged to the Redemptorists of Huế before 1975.

According to the Redemptorist Order, the congregation purchased the L’Accueil estate in 1930. The site, which covers an area of 20,000 square meters, was then a center for religious and cultural activities. The site had been used for several significant historical meetings, including the ones that had Emperor Bảo Đại, Empress Nam Phương, and nationalist revolutionary Phan Bội Châu.