Procedures for change of location for congregational religious practice in Vietnam as of March 30, 2024

Procedures for change of location for congregational religious practice in Vietnam as of March 30, 2024

Procedures for change of location for congregational religious practice are as follows:

- Before the change of the location for congregational religious practice within a commune, the representative of the group shall submit an application specified in Clause 2 of Article 6 of Decree 95/2023/ND-CP to the People’s Committee of the commune.

- An application includes:

= An application form, which specifies the name of the religious organization or organization issued with the certificate of registration of religious activities; the name of the religion; the name of the group; full name of the representative of the group; reason for and expected date of change; location where the group is practicing religion and expected new location;

= Written evidence of the availability of a legitimate location for religious practice;

= A written approval for change of the location of the congregational practicing group registered by the organization, which is granted by the religious organization or organization issued with the certificate of registration of religious activities.

- Before the change of the location for congregational religious practice to another commune, the representative of the group shall submit an application to the People’s Committee of the commune where the new location exists.

The application prescribed in Clause 2 of Article 6 of Decree 95/2023/ND-CP shall be enclosed with a copy of the written approval for registration of congregational religious practice granted by the People’s Committee of the commune where the initial location for congregational religious practice is located.

- The People’s Committee of the commune where the expected new location for congregational religious practice exists shall respond in writing to the change of the location within 20 days from the receipt of the satisfactory application. In the case of rejection of the application, written explanation shall be provided.

- Within 10 days from the date on which the new location is approved, the congregational practicing group shall terminate its religious practice at the old location and give a notification to the People’s Committee of the commune where the old location for congregational religious practice exists.

The notification shall specify the name of the religious organization or organization issued with the certificate of registration of religious activities; the name of the group; full name of the representative of the group; date of change; new location for congregational religious practice; date of termination of religious practice at the old location.

More details can be found in Decree 95/2023/ND-CP taking effect on March 30, 2024.

Decree 162/2017/ND-CP expires from March 30, 2024, except for the cases specified in Clause 2, Article 30 of Decree 95/2023/ND-CP.

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