VietNamNet Bridge – The 2004 Ordinance on Religion and Belief will be amended to keep pace with rapid changes in society, a conference was told in Hanoi on May 29.

The Hung Kings worship ritual recognised as Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO.

Pham Dung, head of the Government Committee for Religious Affairs, said that the enforcement of the Ordinance has revealed shortcomings since the legal document came into effect in 2004.

Some contents of the Ordinance no longer correspond to Party guidelines and current religious practices, Dung said.

He cited article 33 of the Ordinance, saying religious organisations are permitted to engage in humanitarian activities to a limited extent, and accredited religious dignitaries are allowed to organise education, healthcare and humanitarian activities.

In fact, he said, religious individuals and organisations not only take part in those activities but also directly involve in establishing kindergartens, clinics and social support centres.

In addition, an increasing number of foreigners come to Vietnam to reside and work, and some places of worship in the country have yet to meet their daily religious needs.

At the conference, Vice Chairman of the National Assembly Uong Chu Luu acknowledged significant contributions various religious organisations have made to the nation over the years.

However, he said several religious individuals and organisations have made use of religious freedom in Vietnam to sabotage the regime, undermine national unity and obstruct the country’s international integration.

Luu noted that the national legal system, including the 1946 and 1992 Constitutions, the current draft Constitution amendments, laws and by-law documents, has respected religious organisations and acknowledged their contributions to the nation.

Yet, some legal documents are incomplete and inconsistent that need to be revised to meet the country’s practical requirements during national development and international integration.

He asked the Interior Ministry and the Government Committee for Religious Affairs to study and renew the Ordinance to become law sometime in the near future.

As Vietnam has joined many international conventions, the designated agencies need to study and complete the national legal system with reference to international conventions, as well as law-making experience from other countries, said Luu.

The government has licensed 13 religions to operate in Vietnam, comprising 36 religious organisations, nearly 24 million followers, 83,000 dignitaries, 46 training centres for dignitaries, and 25,000 places of worship. Ninety five percent of the population follow belief and religion.

Source: VOV