The event reviewed coordination between the CentralCommittee of the Vietnam Fatherland Front with its local chapters andrelevant agencies in the two first quarters of the year, which recordedpositive results.
During the period, the popularisation of Party and State regulations and policies on religion and belief were intensified.
The agencies worked closely to look after community living conditionswhile reviewing proposals and meeting the demands of religiousorganisations and individuals.
Patriotic movements in religiouscommunities were encouraged and the VFF teamed up with State agencies toresolve arising issues concerning religion as well as contributed itsopinions to the draft Law on Religion and Belief.
The conferenceheard that religious dignitaries and followers felt the Party andState’s policy of respecting the freedom of religious beliefs wassuccessfully implemented. Religious activities and the training andappointment of religious dignitaries received due attention.
However, the coordination also showed a number of limitations andshortcomings in sharing information and dealing with arising issues.
Inthe remaining months of the year, the VFF, its local chapters andcentral authorities will further enhance coordination to implement aPolitburo project on promoting unity among religions in the country andrenovating the VFF’s religious efforts.
They will also worktogether to enhance dialogue with religious communities and collectfeedbacks, recommendations and opinions to timely report to the Partyand State, while engaging in policy making process in order to promotethe role of religious organisations in social activities.
TheVFF and its member organisations signed a programme with the VietnamEpiscopal Council to promote patriotic movements and humanitarianactivities in the community, especially in areas of high religiousconcentrations. They will also work together to protect human rights andprevent religion-related human rights abuses.
Vietnam is home to many religions and beliefs whose followers are working with a strong patriotic spirit.
The main religions in Vietnam include Buddhism with 6.8 millionfollowers, Catholicism (5.7 million), Hoa Hao (1.4 million), Cao Dai(808,000), Protestantism (734,000), Islam (73,000) and Brahmanism(56,000).-VNA