FM Spokesman comments on US religious report on VN

The Spokesman made the statement on September 17 in Hà Nội while answering foreign correspondents’ questions on Việt Nam’s response to the US Department of State’s annual report on religious freedom.

“The Vietnamese State follows a consistent policy to respect and ensure citizens’ rights to freedom of belief, religion and non-religion. These rights are clarified in the Constitution and other legal documents, including the Ordinance on Belief and Religion,” stressed Mr. Lê Dũng.

Actually all religions in Việt Nam always receive the State’s attention and favorable conditions for their development; and all followers and dignitaries of different religious sects are free to practice their religious activities, the Spokesman was quoted as saying.

The Việt Nam-US relationship has been promoted considerably in many fields over recent years. The two countries have exchanged visits and delegations at all echelons, helping improve mutual understanding on issues of common concern, including religion. Thus, “though containing un objective and inaccurate assessments, the US Department of State’s 2007 report has acknowledged real and positive developments of Việt Nam’s religion,” concluded Mr. Lê Dũng.