Binh Phuoc (VNA) – About 200 Protestant dignitaries in the southern province of Binh Phuoc are receiving instructions on religious activities in line with legal regulations at a meeting in Dong Xoai township.

The conference from April 24-26 is held by the Government Committee for Religious Affairs and the provincial Department of Home Affairs.

Participants were updated with an overview of the Protestantism in Vietnam, the Party’s guidelines and the State’s policies and regulations relating to this religion, instructions on the practice of the Protestantism in line with legal regulations, and external relations of Protestant organisations, followers and dignitaries.

The conference highlighted that the Law on Belief and Religion, which will come into force on January 1, 2018, includes many new regulations compared to the previous ordinance on belief and religion.

The new law addresses shortcomings in existing regulations, aiming to better protect the freedom of belief and religion.

Giving instructions on religious activities is critical to helping Protestant dignitaries thoroughly grasp relevant legal regulations and encourage followers to practice the Protestantism in accordance with law.

There are 33 Protestant sects in Binh Phuoc province at present. Nine of the sects were recoginised by the State while 75 dignitaries and 46 chapters are members of the Evangelical Church of Vietnam (South).-VNA
VNA