Insulting a religion or folk belief is strictly prohibited in Vietnam

- Discriminate or differentiate on the pretext of religion or folk belief.

- Coerce, entice or obstruct people to or not to practice a religion or folk belief.

- Insult a religion or folk belief.

- Practices of folk beliefs or religious activities:

+ That encroach on national security, national defense, national sovereignty, social order and safety, environment;

+ That violate social ethics or people's body, health, life, assets or dignity;

+ That obstruct the exercise of a citizen’s rights and obligations;

+ That sow divisions among the people or religions; between practicing and non-practicing people; and among the followers of different folk beliefs or religions.

- Abuse the practice of folk beliefs or religious activities for profiteering.

In addition to acts strictly prohibited in the field of religion, the Law on Belief and Religion 2016 of Vietnam also stipulates the right to freedom of religion and folk belief for every person as follows:

- Every person has the right to freedom of religion and folk belief and the right to follow or not to follow a religion.

- Every person has the right to manifest the faith of religion or folk belief and to perform religious and folk religious rites; participate in festivals; learn and exercise religious law and tenets.

- Every person has the right to pursue a monastic life in religious establishments and pursue education in religious educational institutions and religious organizations’ supplementary courses. Adolescents require the permission of their parents or guardians for pursuing a monastic life in a religious establishment or pursuing education in a religious educational institution.

- Dignitaries, sub-dignitaries and monastics have the right to perform religious rites, to preach and to do missionary work in religious establishments or at legitimate locations.

- People held in detention pursuant to the legislation on temporary detention, people serving time in prison, people sent to a reformatory, compulsory education institution or compulsory rehabilitation center have the right to read scriptures and manifest their faith of religion or folk belief.

The Law on Belief and Religion 2016 of Vietnam takes effect from January 01, 2018.

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