Vietnam: Procedures for relocation of the base of a religious organization

Before the relocation of the base, the religious organization or religious affiliate operating within multiple provinces shall submit an application to the People’s Committee of the province where its new base is located.

1. Application

- An application form, which specifies the name, base and representative of the religious organization or religious affiliate; reason for and expected date of relocation; the base of the religious organization or religious affiliate before and after the relocation;

- A certified true copy of the decision on accreditation of the religious organization in case of relocation of its base to another province or certified true copies of the written approval for establishment, full division, partial division, merger or consolidation of the religious affiliate granted by the competent authority and the written statement of establishment, full division, partial division, merger or consolidation of the religious affiliate of the religious organization or supervisory religious organization in case of relocation of the religious affiliate's base to another province;

- A written approval for change of the location granted by the religious organization or the supervisory religious organization;

- Documentary evidence for the availability of a legitimate location for its facilities.

2. Procedures

The People’s Committee of the province where the new base is located shall, within 30 days from the receipt of the satisfactory application, respond in writing to the relocation of the  base of the religious organization or religious affiliate operating within multiple provinces. In the case of rejection of the application, written explanation shall be provided.

Within 10 days from the date of relocating to the new base, the religious organization or religious affiliate specified in Clause 1 of this Article shall notify the central government’s religion and folk belief authority and the People’s Committee of the province where its old base is located.

The notification shall specify:

- The name of the religious organization or religious affiliate;

- Full name of its representative;

- Reason for and date of relocation;

- Its base before and after the relocation and be enclosed with a certified true copy of the written approval granted by the People’s Committee of the province where its new base is located.

The religious organization or religious affiliate operating within a province shall, upon relocation of its base, prepare an application as prescribed in Points a, c and d Clause 1 Article 8 of this Decree and submit it to the People’s Committee of the province.

The People’s Committee of the province shall, within 30 days from the receipt of the satisfactory application, respond in writing to the relocation of the base of the religious organization or religious affiliate operating within a province. In the case of rejection of the application, written explanation shall be provided.

Decree No. 162/2017/NĐ-CP of Vietnam’s Government takes effect from January 01, 2018.

>> CLICK HERE TO READ THIS ARTICLE IN VIETNAMESE