How are Christians persecuted in Vietnam?
- Converts from ethnic-animist religions can have their homes destroyed and face expulsion from their communities. Women and girls can face trafficking, sexual assault and forced marriage or, if married, threats of divorce.
- Local authorities break up church services and detain, threaten, fine and sometimes imprison church leaders, ordering them not to speak about Jesus anymore.
- Christians are also targeted for arrest and abduction, causing many to flee their villages.
“The local authority said that our religion is against the government. They came to our house and forced us to give up our faith.”
Chu*
Why are Christians persecuted in Vietnam?
- Ethnic-animist religion dominates rural, remote areas, and these communities fiercely oppose anybody leaving the local religion – they are seen as betraying their community and a threat.
- The government wants to control the church – smaller, unregistered churches are being pressurised to join recognised denominations that are more ‘cooperative’ with the government.
- The authorities are particularly suspicious of Christians from minority ethnic groups such as the Hmong. Despite this, Hmong Bible teachers bravely travel miles by motorbike into remote areas to train believers in secret Bible schools.
“I do not hate the ones who persecute me; I pray for them, and I love them so.”
Vahn*, a church pastor
Who is particularly vulnerable in Vietnam?
- Converts from Buddhist or traditional religious backgrounds face the greatest persecution from their own communities, and also from local authorities who are already suspicious of these minority people groups.
- Believers in rural areas are particularly rural: improvements seen in urban regions are not reflected in rural regions.
What has changed in Vietnam in the past year?
- Vietnam has fallen nine places on the World Watch List this year. The main reason for this drop is the decrease in violence, with fewer Christians detained and sentenced for faith-related reasons.
- While direct government persecution is broadly decreasing, there has been increased oppression of unregistered churches.
How can I help Christians in Vietnam?
Please keep praying for your brothers and sisters in Vietnam. Your gifts and prayers make an enormous difference to those following Jesus no matter the cost.
Open Doors works through local partners to strengthen persecuted believers in Vietnam by providing relief and practical aid, advocacy support, Christian resources, leadership and discipleship training, and socio-economic development projects.
*Names changed for security reasons
Father God, thank You for the courage and determination of Vietnam’s Christian leaders, who give everything to train and encourage their brothers and sisters in the most remote places. Please meet their needs every day, and give them joy when they see the fruit of their labours. We pray You will keep the local authorities from noticing church meetings, and make the villages places of peace. In Jesus’s name, Amen.
