Vietnam Represses Independent Religious Communities

Washington D.C. – The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) released the following report on Vietnam: 

Vietnam Country Update – While Vietnam has made notable strides embracing recognized religious groups, these efforts are done at the expense of adherents of independent religious communities who continue to face repression of their faith. This publication examines Vietnam’s legal structure and authorities’ related enforcement against members of religious groups the state perceives as threats to its international reputation and national security. It provides an update on religious freedom violations targeting members of unregistered religious groups worshiping independently of state-approved religious organizations.

In its 2025 Annual Report, USCIRF recommended that the U.S. Department of State designate Vietnam as a Country of Particular Concern (CPC) for engaging in and tolerating systematic, ongoing, egregious religious freedom violations.

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The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) is an independent, bipartisan legislative branch agency established by the U.S. Congress to monitor, analyze, and report on religious freedom abroad. USCIRF makes foreign policy recommendations to the President, the Secretary of State, and Congress, intended to deter religious persecution and promote freedom of religion and belief. To interview a commissioner, please contact USCIRF at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom was created by the International Religious Freedom Act of 1998 to monitor the status of freedom of thought, conscience, and religion or belief abroad, as defined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and related international instruments, and to give independent policy recommendations to the President, Secretary of State, and Congress.

Visit our web site at www.uscirf.gov

Vicky Hartzler, Chair • Asif Mahmood, Vice Chair
Ariela Dubler • Mohamed Elsanousi • Maureen Ferguson 
 Stephen Schneck • Meir Soloveichik

Erin Singshinsuk, Executive Director

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