A majority of religious dignitaries and followers in the southern province of Ba Ria – Vung Tau comply with the Party guidelines and State law, the provincial People’s Committee has said.
Over the past 10 years, local authorities have dealt with nearly 5,000 administrative cases related to religious affairs, the province informed the Government Committee for Religious Affairs at their local working session on August 11.
However, several unorthodox religious faiths have appeared, with places of worship seen to be built without permission, mostly in forestry plots far from residential areas or on family backyards.
By late 2011, 376 of such illegal cases were uncovered, with 294 in Tan Thanh district.
The authorities have requested a closer watch over land purchase and transfer, and unlicensed establishment of places of worship.
The government officials gave answers to some specific cases and pledged to convey authorities’ suggestions to the cabinet upon their return.
Ba Ria – Vung Tau is home to some 4,000 dignitaries and followers, making up half of the local population.
Vietnam is home to many religions and beliefs, mainly Buddhism, with 6.8 million followers, Catholicism (5.7 million), Hoa Hao (1.4 million), Cao Dai (808,000), Protestantism (734,000), Islam (73,000), and Brahmanism (56,000).
Up to 98 percent of Vietnamese families practise some kind of worship at home.-VNA
Over the past 10 years, local authorities have dealt with nearly 5,000 administrative cases related to religious affairs, the province informed the Government Committee for Religious Affairs at their local working session on August 11.
However, several unorthodox religious faiths have appeared, with places of worship seen to be built without permission, mostly in forestry plots far from residential areas or on family backyards.
By late 2011, 376 of such illegal cases were uncovered, with 294 in Tan Thanh district.
The authorities have requested a closer watch over land purchase and transfer, and unlicensed establishment of places of worship.
The government officials gave answers to some specific cases and pledged to convey authorities’ suggestions to the cabinet upon their return.
Ba Ria – Vung Tau is home to some 4,000 dignitaries and followers, making up half of the local population.
Vietnam is home to many religions and beliefs, mainly Buddhism, with 6.8 million followers, Catholicism (5.7 million), Hoa Hao (1.4 million), Cao Dai (808,000), Protestantism (734,000), Islam (73,000), and Brahmanism (56,000).
Up to 98 percent of Vietnamese families practise some kind of worship at home.-VNA
