Operating a church in Vietnam has become more difficult due to the new government regulations under Decree 95. The regulations now require religious groups to submit financial records and allow local government officials to suspend religious activities for serious violations.
According to Nguyen Ti Dinh, these guidelines aim to improve the government’s management of religion by aligning with the 2018 Law on Belief and Religion. However, observers see it as Vietnam’s attempt to showcase increased religious liberty.
While the government aims to demonstrate progress in religious freedom, critics fear the new rules will only add more oversight and control. Hien Vu from the Institute for Global Engagement believes the government needs to clarify how the policy promotes religious freedom.
Vu points out that the new decree raises concerns about financial oversight of churches. Churches are now required to report on the use of financial aid received. This level of scrutiny may be challenging for unregistered house churches in Vietnam.
The government’s stringent regulations on churches, such as the requirement for existing church status before applying, further complicate the registration process. Many house churches face challenges in obtaining legal recognition, leading to financial limitations and regulatory burdens.
