Vietnam requests US to objectively assess religion and belief situation

Vietnam requests the US to give objective assessments of the real religion and belief situation in the Southeast Asian nation based on accurate and comprehensive information sources and soon remove Vietnam from the special watch list for religious freedom, Spokeswoman of the Vietnamese Ministry of Foreign Affairs Pham Thu Hang said at the ministry’s regular press conference in Hanoi on July 4.

Spokeswoman of the Vietnamese Ministry of Foreign Affairs Pham Thu Hang (Photo: VNA)
Spokeswoman of the Vietnamese Ministry of Foreign Affairs Pham Thu Hang (Photo: VNA)

Hanoi (VNA) – Vietnam requests the US to give objective assessments of the real religion and belief situation in the Southeast Asian nation based on accurate and comprehensive information sources and soon remove Vietnam from the special watch list for religious freedom, Spokeswoman of the Vietnamese Ministry of Foreign Affairs Pham Thu Hang said at the ministry’s regular press conference in Hanoi on July 4.

Hang made the statement while responding to a reporter's query on Vietnam’s reaction to the US Department of State’s 2023 Report on International Religious Freedom, in which Vietnam is placed on its special watch list.

Although the report recognises some of the progress Vietnam has made in protecting and promoting freedom of religion and belief, it still gives unobjective comments based on unverified and inaccurate information about the reality in the country, the spokeswoman said.

She emphasised that as a multi-ethnic and multi-religious country with a rich belief and religious life, Vietnam consistently pursues the policy of respecting and ensuring the right to freedom of belief and religion, with no one discriminated on the grounds of religion and belief, and the operation of religious organisations ensured in line with legal regulations.

Such rights are enshrined in Vietnam’s Constitution 2013, the Law on Belief and Religion 2016, and other relevant legal documents, and are respected in reality, she said.

Vietnam stands ready to work together with the US over matters of shared concern in the spirit of frankness, openness and mutual respect in contentious issues, thereby contributing to the enhancement of the Vietnam - US Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, Hang affirmed.

Also at the meeting, the spokeswoman answered a reporter's question regarding the US Department of State’s 2024 Trafficking in Persons Report, saying Vietnam welcomes the US’s objective assessments of the Southeast Asian country's positive results in human trafficking prevention and control.

She said over the past time, Vietnam has stepped up the fight against human trafficking following key tasks and solutions set in the programme on anti-human trafficking for 2021 – 2025 with a vision until 2030, notably adjustments to the Law on Human Trafficking Prevention and Control 2011, and the enhancement of investigation, prosecution and handling of human trafficking cases.

The country has defined and supported victims of human trafficking, and promptly deal with new challenges to the combat in the region, according to the spokeswoman.

Vietnam is also making efforts to realise the goals set in the Global Compact for Safe, Orderly, and Regular Migration, in accordance with the plan issued by the Prime Minister on March 20, 2020, in order to strengthen a transparent migration environment, protect the legitimate rights and interests of migrants, and prevent the risk of human trafficking in international migration activities, she said.

“In that spirit, we hope that the two countries will continue their close cooperation, and increase exchanges and dialogues to comprehensively and positively evaluate Vietnam's efforts and achievements in human trafficking prevention and control, in line with the spirit of the Vietnam-US Comprehensive Strategic Partnership," Hang noted./.

VNA

See more

Two collectives and six individuals from the VIFA are presented certificates of merit from the Chairperson of the HCM City People's Committee for their outstanding achievements in people-to-people diplomacy. (Photo: VNA)

India’s Republic Day celebrated in HCM City

Vietnam - India relations have continuously obtained significant achievements across various fields since the establishment of diplomatic ties in 1972, the strategic partnership in 2007, and the comprehensive strategic partnership in 2016.

State President Luong Cuong (R) and Lao Minister of Foreign Affairs Thongsavanh Phomvihane. (Photo: VNA)

Vietnamese State President hosts Lao foreign minister

Lao Minister of Foreign Affairs Thongsavanh Phomvihane believed that Vietnam will successfully realise the Resolution of the 13th National Party Congress, especially as it approaches the 14th National Party Congress, and on the way to become a developed, high-income nation by 2045.

Spokeswoman of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Pham Thu Hang. (Photo: VNA)

Vietnam ready to cooperate closely with US in receiving deported nationals

Hang made the statement while answering a reporter’s query about Vietnam’s handling and receiving of Vietnamese nationals deported from the US, as President Donald Trump has announced that he will enact a deportation campaign against illegal immigrants or those with prior criminal records, which include Vietnamese.

Party General Secretary To Lam (R) receives visiting Lao Minister of Foreign Affairs Thongsavanh Phomvihane in Hanoi on February 13. (Photo: VNA)

Party chief receives Lao Minister of Foreign Affairs

Party General Secretary To Lam affirmed Vietnam’s commitment to preserving and strengthening the great friendship, special solidarity, and comprehensive cooperation with Laos in a more practical and effective manner.

Party General Secretary To Lam addresses the discussion (Photo: VNA)

Restructuring political system awaited by public: Party leader

Speaking at a group discussion on the draft Law on the Government Organisation (revised), the draft Law on the Organisation of Local Government, and a draft resolution addressing a number of issues related to State apparatus restructuring as part of the National Assembly’s 9th extraordinary session on February 13, the Party chief said that the policy is something the people have long awaited.

Politburo member, permanent member of the Secretariat of the PCC Central Committee, and head of the committee’s Organisation Commission Roberto Morales Ojeda addresses the event (Photo: VNA)

Communist Party of Vietnam’s founding anniversary celebrated in Cuba

A ceremony was held in Havana on February 12 to mark the 95th founding anniversary of the Communist Party of Vietnam (February 3, 1930 - 2025), with the attendance of high-ranking Cuban leaders and representatives from Cuban socio-political organisations and the Vietnamese community in Cuba.