Deputy Minister visits US, calling for constructive dialogue on religious issues: Deputy Minister of Home Affairs Vu Chien Thang. (Photo: VNA)

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Talking to the Vietnamese media after the trip, Deputy Minister Thang said that in late 2022, the US Department of State placed Vietnam on the Special Watch List regarding religious freedom. The move was based on biased assessments and inaccurate information about the freedom of religion and belief in Vietnam.

During the trip, the two sides openly shared information, discussed the problems, and expressed their wish to maintain and develop the comprehensive strategic partnership between the two countries.

The Vietnamese delegation met with Melissa Brown, Deputy Assistant Secretary for the Office of Mainland Southeast Asian Affairs; Robert T. Koepcke, Director of the Office of Mainland Southeast Asia at the US Department of State; and Rashad Hussain, the US Ambassador-at-Large for International Religious Freedom, to clarify differences in human rights and religious affairs.

The delegation gave updated details about the US cases of concern, and asked the US to provide timely information via official channels, including the Vietnamese Government’s Committee for Religious Affairs, according to Deputy Minister Thang.

At the meetings, he noted, the delegation provided information on erroneous views on religions in Vietnam. It demanded the US not use one-sided information provided by Vietnamese reactionary individuals and organisations living in exile in the US.

Deputy Minister visits US, calling for constructive dialogue on religious issues: Deputy Prime Minister Le Minh Khai (R) receives BGEA President Franklin Graham in Hanoi on March 1, 2023. (Photo: VNA)

The Deputy Minister proposed both sides to increase dialogue in the constructive spirit and with respect for international law and each other’s independence, sovereignty, territorial integrity, and political regimes. The aim is to not let misunderstandings affect the bilateral relations. By increasing communication, the partners can enhance mutual understanding, overcome differences, and promote the implementation of the agreement on the Vietnam - US comprehensive strategic partnership.

At the working sessions, the US side noted Vietnam’s achievements in ensuring the freedom of religion and belief. Local officials also asked the delegation to provide detailed information about the enforcement and amendment of the Law on Religion and Belief and the decree guiding the implementation of this law. This is especially important at the grassroots level and in remote areas. It is also important to ensure guidance of religious organisations to register religious activities, land related to places of worship, and the protection of the right to concentrated religious practices.

Deputy Minister Thang said the Institute for Global Engagement (IGE) and the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association (BGEA) perceived that Vietnam should change its approach so that the US can understand objective information about Vietnam. BGEA President Franklin Graham said he is ready to serve as a “religious ambassador” of Vietnam to explain to US politicians and organisations and promote the removal of Vietnam from the Special Watch List.