Law on RELIGIOUS BELIEF AND RELIGION No. 07/2026/QH16

 

LAW

RELIGION AND WORSHIP

BASED ON THE CONSTITUTION OF THE SOCIALIST REPUBLIC OF VIETNAM WHICH HAS BEEN AMENDED AND ENHANCED ACCORDING TO RESOLUTION NO. 203/2025/QH15 BY THE NATIONAL ASSEMBLY, THIS LAW ON RELIGION AND WORSHIP IS ENACTED.;

CHAPTER I GENERAL PROVISIONS

ARTICLE 1. Scope of Application and Applicable Subjects

1. This Law regulates the freedom of religion and worship; religious activities; religious organizations; rights and obligations of state agencies, organizations, communities, and individuals related to religious activities.

2. This Law applies to state agencies, organizations, communities, and individuals in ensuring and implementing the freedom of religion and worship.

ARTICLE 2. Interpretation of Terms

In this Law, the following terms are understood as follows:

1. Religion is a belief of humans expressed through rituals associated with traditional customs and practices to bring spiritual peace to individuals and communities.

2. Religious activities include ancestor worship, veneration of sacred symbols; commemoration and honoring those who have contributed to the country and community; performing folk rituals linked to historical, cultural, and social values.

3. Religious festivals are religious activities organized according to traditional rites to meet the spiritual needs of the community.

4. Religious venues are locations where community religious activities take place, including temples, shrines, altars, clan houses, and other legally recognized similar facilities.

5. Religion is a belief system with a set of beliefs and practices, including objects of worship, doctrine, canon law, rituals, and organizations.

6. Believer is an individual who believes in a religion and is recognized by the religious organization.

7. Monastic is a believer who has taken monastic vows, regularly lives according to the teachings, rules of discipline, and regulations of the religious organization.

8. Clergy are believers appointed or elected by the religious organization to hold positions within the organization.

9. Religious functionary is an individual appointed, elected, or selected by a religious organization, its subordinate organization, or an organization authorized to conduct religious activities to hold leadership, management, and administrative positions in the organization.

10. Religious practice is the expression of religious belief, observance of doctrine, rules of discipline, and religious rituals.

11. Religious activity includes proselytization, religious practices, and organizational management activities of a religion.

12. Religious organization is a collection of believers, clergy, functionaries, and monastics of one religion organized according to a defined structure recognized by the State for the purpose of conducting religious activities.

13. Subordinate religious organization is an organization established within a religious organization in accordance with its charter, regulations, or rules.

14. Religious venue is a location where a religious organization or its subordinate organization conducts religious activities, including temples, churches, chapels, shrines, sanctuaries, and other legally recognized similar facilities.

15. Legal premises are land, residences, structures lawfully used by organizations or individuals in accordance with the provisions of the law.

16. Representative is a person who acts on behalf of and bears legal responsibility for religious activities, concentrated religious practices, or religious activities of groups or organizations they represent.

17. Religious activities online are the organization or individual's activities in accordance with this Law to utilize cyberspace for conducting religious activities.

17. Activities of religious belief and worship in the cyberspace are the actions of organizations and individuals, as provided by this Law, to utilize cyberspace for the implementation of activities of religious belief and worship.

Article 3. Principles of Religious and Belief Activities

1. Comply with the Constitution, this Law, and other provisions of relevant laws.

2. Preserve and promote the cultural, moral, and good traditional values of the nation.

3. Ensure national security, public order, social safety, economy, and environmental protection.

4. Not violate the provisions of Article 7 of this Law.

Article 4. State Responsibilities in Ensuring the Implementation of Freedom of Religious and Belief Rights

1. Respect and protect the freedom of religious and belief rights of all individuals; ensure equality before the law for religions.

2. Respect, protect the good cultural and moral values of religious and belief activities, traditional ancestor worship, honor those who have contributed to the country and community, meet the spiritual needs of the people.

3. Protect places of religious activity, religious facilities, and lawful property belonging to religious organizations, affiliated religious organizations, and organizations licensed to operate religions.

4. Encourage and create conditions for the development of resources from religious and belief activities to serve national development, ensure social security, strengthen the unity of the entire nation.

5. State management of religious and belief activities must respect the freedom of religious and belief rights as provided in the Constitution, laws, and international treaties that the Socialist Republic of Vietnam is a party to.

Article 5. International Cooperation in Religious and Belief Work

1. Principles of international cooperation include:

a) Comply with the laws of Vietnam and be consistent with international treaties that the Socialist Republic of Vietnam is a party to;

b) Respect the independence, sovereignty, unity, and territorial integrity of each country; do not interfere in each other's internal affairs; act on an equal basis for mutual benefit; ensure national security, public order, and social safety.

2. Content of international cooperation includes:

a) Exchange information, share experiences in the formulation and implementation of policies and laws;

b) Organize or participate in international conferences, seminars, forums;

c) Train, educate, and provide training for civil servants, public officials, and staff;

d) Conduct scientific research;

e) Prevent and combat violations of religious and belief laws;

f) Other content as provided by law.

Article 6. Responsibilities of the Vietnamese Fatherland Front and Political-Social Organizations

1. Unite compatriots according to religious beliefs, non-believers, and build a united nation; construct and defend the country.

2. Timely reflect the opinions, wishes, and suggestions of the people regarding issues related to religious and belief matters to competent state agencies.

3. Participate in the formulation, provide comments on draft normative legal documents concerning religious and belief matters; perform social criticism on draft normative legal documents, plans, programs, and projects for economic and social development related to religious and belief matters as provided by law.

4. Participate in propaganda and mobilization of religious leaders, officials, monks, believers, people following religious beliefs, religious organizations, affiliated religious organizations, and the people to implement laws on religious and belief matters; utilize resources from religious and belief activities for national development, ensure social security, strengthen the unity of the entire nation.

5. Monitor the activities of state agencies, organizations, elected representatives, and civil servants in implementing policies and laws concerning religious and belief matters.

Article 7. Prohibited Acts

1. Discrimination and prejudice based on religious beliefs or religions.

2. Coercion, bribery, or obstruction of others in their choice to follow or not follow a religion or belief.

3. Insulting religious beliefs or religions.

4. Religious activities falling under any of the following circumstances:

a) Infringing upon national defense, security, sovereignty, social order, public safety, environment;

b) Contrary to social morals; infringing upon bodily integrity, health, life, property; insulting the honor and dignity of others;

c) Obstructing the exercise of citizens' rights and duties;

d) Sowing ethnic discord; sowing religious discord; sowing discord between those who follow a religion or belief and those who do not, as well as between followers of different religions.

5. Exploitation of religion for personal gain or exploitation of religion to engage in any acts specified in paragraph 4 of this Article.

6. Use of cyberspace, artificial intelligence, or technology to violate laws concerning religion and belief.

Article 8. Religious Activities on Cyberspace

1. When engaging in religious activities on cyberspace, organizations and individuals falling under the circumstances specified at Point b of Clause 3 of this Law must notify, register, or request permission from competent state authorities to conduct such religious activities according to the provisions of this Law.

2. Responsibilities of organizations, individuals, and entities with respect to religious activities on cyberspace include:

a) Competent state authorities have the responsibility to guide, supervise, inspect, and investigate the implementation of religious activities on cyberspace; to identify, prevent, and address violations of laws concerning religion and belief;

b) Organizations and individuals conducting religious activities on cyberspace must comply with provisions of this Law regarding religion and belief as well as other relevant legal provisions;

c) Entities providing services on cyberspace have the responsibility to implement technical solutions, cooperate with competent state authorities to remove or prevent content that violates laws concerning religion and belief;

d) Telecommunication network entities must block access to content that violates laws concerning religion and belief upon request of competent state authorities.

Chapter II FREEDOM OF RELIGIOUS BELIEF

Article 9. Freedom of Religious Belief for All Persons

1. All persons have the right to freely choose their religious beliefs or not follow any religion.

2. Each person has the right to express their religious beliefs; practice religious rituals; participate in festivals; study and practice religious doctrines, rules.

3. Each person has the right to enter a religious institution for training, study at a religious education institution, or attend religious education classes. Minors entering a religious institution for training, studying at a religious education institution, or attending religious education classes must do so voluntarily and with the consent of their parents or guardians.

4. Religious officials and clergy have the right to perform religious rituals, preach, and disseminate teachings in religious institutions or lawful locations.

5. Persons under temporary detention, persons under provisional custody, persons serving a prison sentence, persons undergoing mandatory education, or those in drug rehabilitation facilities have the right to use religious texts and express their religious beliefs.

Article 10. Rights of Foreign Nationals Residing Lawfully in Vietnam to Freedom of Religion and Belief

1. Foreign nationals residing lawfully in Vietnam shall be respected and protected by the Vietnamese State in their rights to freedom of religion and belief.

2. Foreign nationals residing lawfully in Vietnam have the following rights:

a) Engaging in religious activities, participating in religious practices;

b) Using lawful premises for concentrated religious activities;

c) Inviting Vietnamese clergy, monks, or nuns to perform religious rituals and preach; inviting foreign clergy, monks, or nuns to preach;

d) Entering monasteries for training, studying at religious education institutions, attending religious instruction classes;

e) Carrying religious publications and religious items to meet personal needs.

3. Foreign clergy residing lawfully in Vietnam may preach at religious premises or lawful locations within the country.

Article 11. Rights of Religious Organizations and Their Affiliates

1. Engaging in religious activities according to the charter, bylaws, and other similar documents (hereinafter referred to collectively as the "charter") of the religious organization.

2. Organizing religious activities.

3. Publishing religious scriptures and other religious publications.

4. Producing, exporting, importing religious cultural products and religious items.

5. Renovating, upgrading, or constructing new religious premises.

6. Accepting lawful assets donated voluntarily by domestic organizations, individuals, and foreign organizations, individuals.

7. Other rights as provided for in this Law and other relevant laws.

Article 12. Rights of Organizations Certified to Engage in Religious Activities

1. Organizing religious ceremonies, conducting religious activities, preaching, and providing religious instruction.

2. Appointing, electing, or appointing officials.

3. Repairing or renovating premises.

4. Engaging in charitable and humanitarian activities.

5. Organizing general meetings to adopt the charter.

Article 13. Obligations of Organizations, Communities, and Individuals in Exercising Freedom of Religion and Belief

1. Organizations, communities, and individuals participating in religious activities must comply with the provisions of Article 3 of this Law.

2. Clergy, officials, monks, nuns, or representatives, as well as management committees of religious premises, have the responsibility to guide believers and participants in religious activities to conduct their religious practices in accordance with legal regulations.

Chapter III ACTIVITIES OF RELIGION

Article 14. Representatives and Management Committees of Religious Premises

1. Religious premises must have a representative or management committee to bear legal responsibility for activities conducted at the religious premise.
The representative or member of the management committee of the religious premise shall act according to their term of office. The term of office, responsibilities, and powers of the representative or member of the management committee are determined by the community in accordance with the regulations approved by the competent state authority under paragraph 3 or paragraph 4 of this Article.

2. The representative or a member of the management committee of the religious premise must meet the following conditions:

a) A Vietnamese citizen residing in Vietnam;

b) Possessing full civil capacity;

c) Having a good reputation within the community;

d) Not belonging to any of the following categories: currently serving administrative penalty measures; under criminal investigation for responsibility; having been sentenced and not yet expunged from record; having been sentenced and expunged from record or not considered to have a criminal record but convicted of an offense involving the infringement of national security.

3. The People's Committee at the commune level where the religious premise is located, in cooperation with the Vietnam Fatherland Front at the same level, organizes community elections for representatives or members of the management committee.
Based on the election results and conditions specified in paragraph 2 of this Article, the People's Committee at the commune level issues a decision recognizing the representative or member of the management committee of the religious premise within five working days from the date of the election.

4. For religious premises located in multiple communes, wards, special zones within one province or city, the provincial People's Committee cooperates with the Vietnam Fatherland Front at the same level to organize community elections for representatives or members of the management committee.
Based on the election results and conditions specified in paragraph 2 of this Article, the provincial People's Committee issues a decision recognizing the representative or member of the management committee of the religious premise within five working days from the date of the election.

5. The election for clan temple representatives or members of the management committee does not need to be conducted in accordance with paragraphs 3 and 4 of this Article.

6. For religious premises included in the inventory and ranking of cultural heritage, the transfer of organizational management is carried out in accordance with the laws on cultural heritage.

Article 15. Notification and Registration of Religious Activities

1. Religious activities at a place of worship shall be notified to the competent state authority prior to their implementation, except for religious activities at a family temple.

2. The notification of religious activities at a place of worship shall be carried out as follows:

a) For a place of worship located within the territory of one commune, ward, or special zone, the person in charge or management body is responsible for notifying in writing about the religious activities to the people's committee of the commune where the place of worship is located;

b) For a place of worship located within the territories of multiple communes, wards, or special zones in one province or city, the person in charge or management body is responsible for notifying in writing about the religious activities to the provincial people's committee where the place of worship is located;

c) Not later than 30 days before the commencement of operations at a place of worship, the person in charge or management body of the place of worship shall be responsible for notifying in writing about the annual religious activities taking place at the place to the state authority with jurisdiction as specified in point (a) or (b) of this clause;

d) The notification of religious activities is only required once, except for religious activities specified in paragraph 3, point (b). For religious activities not included in the previously notified document, the person in charge or management body of the place of worship shall be responsible for supplementary notification at least 20 days before the commencement of such activities.
The organization of a regular religious festival for the first time, the restoration of a religious festival, or a regularly scheduled religious festival with changes in its implementation shall be carried out in accordance with the provisions of Article 17 of this Law.

3. Registration of religious activities outside a place of worship shall be conducted as follows:

a) Organizations and individuals may conduct religious activities outside a place of worship;

b) Prior to organizing complex or large-scale religious activities outside a place of worship, organizations and individuals are responsible for registering with the state authority with jurisdiction as specified in point (a) or (b) of paragraph 2 of this Article.

4. Religious activities that belong to intangible cultural heritage listed in the inventory of registered intangible cultural heritage or take place at a place of worship included in the inventory for evaluation and ranking of cultural relics shall be conducted in accordance with the provisions of the law on cultural heritage.

Article 16. Organization of Regular Religious Festivals

1. The person in charge or management body of a place of worship is responsible for notifying in writing to the competent state authority about the organization of regular religious festivals at least 20 days before the scheduled date, as follows:

a) The people's committee of the commune where the festival is organized shall be responsible for receiving notifications for religious festivals with a scope limited to one commune, ward, or special zone;

b) The provincial people's committee where the festival is organized shall be responsible for receiving notifications for religious festivals not falling under the provisions of point (a) of this clause.

2. The organization of regular religious festivals that belong to intangible cultural heritage listed in the inventory of registered intangible cultural heritage or the organization of a religious festival at a place of worship included in the inventory for evaluation and ranking of cultural relics shall be conducted in accordance with the provisions of the law on cultural heritage.

3. The state authority with jurisdiction as specified in paragraph 1 of this Article is responsible for ensuring the organization of regular religious festivals according to the content of the notification.

Article 17. Organization of First-time, Restored, or Regularly Held Religious Festivals

Prior to the organization of a first-time religious festival, a restored religious festival after an interruption, or a regularly held religious festival with changes in scale, content, time, or location, the representative or management board of the place of worship shall have the responsibility to submit a registration document to the People's Committee of the province where the festival is organized, except for religious festivals that are part of intangible cultural heritage listed in the Inventory of Intangible Cultural Heritage or held at places of worship that are on the Inventory of Intangible Cultural Heritage.

Article 18. Management and Use of Revenue from Religious Festival Activities

1. The representative or management board of the place of worship shall have the responsibility to manage and use the revenue from religious festival activities in accordance with their intended purpose, publicly, and transparently.

2. Within twenty days from the end of the religious festival, the representative or management board of the place of worship shall have the responsibility to notify in writing the revenue and its intended use to the competent state authority where the notification or registration for organizing the religious festival is specified under Article 16, Articles 17 of this Law.

3. The competent state authority specified under Article 16, Article 17 of this Law shall have the responsibility to inspect the management and use of revenue from religious festival activities.

Chapter IV REGISTRATION OF CONCENTRATED RELIGIOUS ACTIVITIES, REGISTRATION OF RELIGIOUS ACTIVITIES

Article 19. Conditions, Authority for Approval, Revocation of Approval for Registration of Concentrated Religious Activities

1. A religious organization or a subordinate religious organization may register concentrated religious activities for believers in places that do not meet the conditions to establish a subordinate religious organization; an organization with a certificate of religious activity registration may register concentrated religious activities for members of the organization when they satisfy all of the following conditions:

a) Have a legal location for conducting concentrated religious activities;

b) Have a representative who meets the conditions specified in points (a), (b), and (d) of paragraph 2 of Article 14 of this Law;

c) The name of the group does not coincide with the names of any religious organization, subordinate religious organization, or an organization with a certificate of religious activity registration; it also should not coincide with the names of political organizations, political-social organizations, or national heroes and martyrs;

d) The content of the religious activities is not one of the cases specified in Article 7 of this Law.

2. Persons following a religion who do not fall under the conditions specified in paragraph 1 may register concentrated religious activities when they have religious doctrine, religious law, and meet all of the conditions specified in paragraph 1.

3. The People's Committee of the commune where the proposed location for conducting concentrated religious activities is situated shall respond in writing to the registration request for concentrated religious activities.

4. A group conducting concentrated religious activities may change its location or replace its representative according to the provisions of the law.

5. Within six months if a group conducting concentrated religious activities does not organize any religious activities, the approval document for registering concentrated religious activities issued by the People's Committee of the commune shall become ineffective, except in cases of force majeure as specified under civil law.

6. The People's Committee of the commune may revoke the approval document for registering concentrated religious activities if one of the following circumstances applies:

a) A group conducting concentrated religious activities engages in any behavior specified in paragraph 4 or paragraph 5 of Article 7 of this Law;

b) At the request of a religious organization, a subordinate religious organization, or an organization with a certificate of religious activity registration as specified under paragraph 1 of this Article;

c) At the request of the representative of the group conducting concentrated religious activities as specified under paragraph 2 of this Article.

Article 20. Conditions, Authority to Approve and Revoke Religious Activity Registration Documents

1. An organization shall be granted a religious activity registration document when it meets the following conditions:

a) It has a doctrine, canon law, rituals, and content of religious activities that do not fall under any of the cases specified in Article 7 of this Law;

b) Its purpose and operational regulations are not contrary to legal provisions;

c) The name of the organization does not coincide with the names of religious organizations or organizations that have been granted a religious activity registration document, political organizations, political-social organizations, or the names of national heroes or patriots;

d) It has a representative and leader who meets the conditions specified in points a, b, and d of Clause 2, Article 14 of this Law;

d) It has a legal location to establish its headquarters.

2. The authority to issue religious activity registration documents is as follows:

a) People's Committee at the provincial level shall respond in writing regarding the issuance of a religious activity registration document for an organization with an operational area within one province;

b) Ministry of Ethnic Affairs and Religion shall respond in writing regarding the issuance of a religious activity registration document for an organization with an operational area across multiple provinces.

3. Within one year, if an organization that has been granted a religious activity registration document does not engage in religious activities, the document issued by the competent state agency loses its effect, except where force majeure is stipulated under civil law.

4. The competent state agencies specified in Clause 2 of this Article shall revoke the religious activity registration document when any of the following circumstances apply:

a) An organization that has been granted a religious activity registration document engages in one of the behaviors specified in Clauses 4 or 5, Article 7 of this Law;

b) At the request of the representative of an organization that has been granted a religious activity registration document.

Chapter V ORGANIZATION OF RELIGION

Section 1 RECOGNITION AND DISSOLUTION OF RELIGIOUS ORGANIZATIONS; ESTABLISHMENT, SPLITTING, SEPARATION, MERGER, CONSTITUTION, DISSOLUTION OF SUBORDINATE RELIGIOUS ORGANIZATIONS

Article 21. Conditions and Authority for Recognizing Religious Organizations

1. An organization that has been granted a religious activity registration document shall be recognized as a religious organization when it meets the following conditions:

a) It has operated stably and continuously for at least five years from the date of issuance of the religious activity registration document;

b) The content of its religious activities does not fall under any of the cases specified in Article 7 of this Law;

c) It has a charter as stipulated in Article 22 of this Law;

d) It has a representative and leader who meets the conditions specified in points a, b, and d of Clause 2, Article 14 of this Law;

d) It has an organizational structure according to its charter;

e) Its assets are independent from those of individuals or organizations and it bears responsibility for its own assets;

g) It acts independently in legal relationships on behalf of the organization.

2. The authority for recognizing religious organizations is as follows:

a) People's Committee at the provincial level shall respond in writing regarding the recognition of a religious organization with an operational area within one province;

b) Ministry of Ethnic Affairs and Religion shall respond in writing regarding the recognition of a religious organization with an operational area across multiple provinces.

Article 22. Charter of Religious Organizations

1. The charter of a religious organization shall contain the following essential contents:

a) Name of the organization;

b) Objectives, purposes, and principles of operation;

c) Area of operations, main office location;

d) Finance, assets;

d) Legal representative;

e) Functions, tasks, powers, organizational structure, seal design of the religious organization, affiliated religious organizations;

g) Tasks, powers, term of office of the leadership board and members of the leadership board of the religious organization, affiliated religious organizations;

h) Conditions, standards, authority, procedures for conferring titles, appointments, elections, transfers, dismissals, suspension of clergy or religious officials;

i) Conditions, authority, procedures for dissolution of a religious organization; establishment, division, separation, merger, and dissolution of affiliated religious organizations;

k) Organization of conferences, seminars, congresses; procedures for adopting decisions, amending, supplementing the charter; principles, methods for resolving internal disputes within the organization;

l) Principles, responsibilities for religious activities in cyberspace;

m) Relations between a religious organization and its affiliated organizations, between a religious organization and other organizations or individuals related thereto.

2. Procedures for amending the charter are as follows:

a) A religious organization shall register with the competent state authority specified in Clause 2 of Article 21 when amending the charter;

b) The religious organization may operate according to the amended charter from the date it is approved by the competent state authority.

Article 23. Name of Religious Organizations and Affiliated Organizations

1. A religious organization and its affiliated organizations must have a Vietnamese name; they shall not be identical to the names of other religious organizations, their affiliated organizations, or organizations that have been granted registration for religious activities, political organizations, political-social organizations, or the names of national heroes.

2. The name of a religious organization and its affiliated organizations is recognized and protected by law and may be used in relations with other organizations and individuals.

3. A change in the name of a religious organization requires approval from the competent state authority specified in Clause 2 of Article 21.

4. In case an affiliated organization changes its name, the religious organization shall request approval from the competent state authority specified in Clause 2 of Article 26 for such change.

Article 24. Change of Office Location of Religious Organizations and Affiliated Organizations

1. A religious organization must obtain the consent of the provincial people's committee where the new office location is situated when changing its office location, and shall notify in writing the competent state authority specified in Clause 2 of Article 21.

2. An affiliated organization must obtain the consent of the provincial people's committee where the new office location is situated when changing its office location, and shall notify in writing the competent state authority specified in Clause 2 of Article 26.

Article 25. Establishment, Division, Separation, Merger, and Consolidation of Affiliated Religious Organizations

1. A religious organization may establish affiliated organizations; divide an existing affiliated organization into multiple new affiliated organizations; merge one affiliated organization into another; or consolidate several affiliated organizations into a single new affiliated organization.

2. Upon division, the dissolved affiliated organization ceases to exist; its rights and obligations are transferred to the newly established affiliated organizations.

3. After separation, the separated affiliated organization and the newly formed affiliated organization shall exercise their respective rights and fulfill their obligations in accordance with their operational objectives.

4. Upon merger, the dissolved affiliated organization ceases to exist; its rights and obligations are transferred to the affiliated organization into which it is merged.

5. Upon consolidation, all former affiliated organizations cease to exist from the time of establishment of the new consolidated affiliated organization; their rights and obligations are transferred to the newly established affiliated organization.

Article 26. Conditions, Authority for Establishment, Splitting, Separation, Merger, and Consolidation of Religious Organizations Subordinate to a Religious Organization

1. A religious organization or a subordinate religious organization may be established, split, separated, merged, or consolidated when it meets the following conditions:

a) The charter of the religious organization stipulates provisions for the establishment, splitting, separation, merger, and consolidation of subordinate religious organizations;

b) The activities of the subordinate religious organization prior to its division, separation, merger, or consolidation do not fall under any of the circumstances specified in Article 7 of this Law;

c) There is a representative and leader of the organization who meets the conditions stipulated at points (a), (b), and (d) of Clause 2, Article 14 of this Law;

d) There is a legal location to establish its headquarters.

2. The authority to approve the establishment, splitting, separation, merger, or consolidation of subordinate religious organizations is as follows:

a) The People's Committee at the provincial level shall respond in writing regarding the establishment, splitting, separation, merger, or consolidation of a subordinate religious organization with an operational area within one province;

b) The Ministry of Ethnic Affairs and Religion shall respond in writing regarding the establishment, splitting, separation, merger, or consolidation of a subordinate religious organization with an operational area spanning multiple provinces.

3. After approval by the competent state authority, the religious organization or its subordinate religious organization shall issue a document establishing, splitting, separating, merging, or consolidating the subordinate religious organization and must notify the competent state authority specified in Clause 2 of this Article in writing.
The authorization for establishment, splitting, separation, merger, or consolidation of a religious organization or its subordinate religious organization becomes void after one year from the date of approval by the competent state authority if such actions are not carried out.

Article 27. Legal Personality of Religious Organizations and Subordinate Religious Organizations

1. A religious organization is a non-commercial legal entity as of the date it is recognized by the competent state authority.

2. The subordinate religious organization requests the People's Committee at the provincial level where its headquarters are located to issue a registration for a non-commercial legal entity when it meets the conditions specified in points (d), (e), and (g) of Clause 1, Article 21 of this Law.

Article 28. Dissolution of Religious Organizations and Subordinate Religious Organizations

1. A religious organization or its subordinate religious organization shall be dissolved when any of the following circumstances apply:

a) In accordance with the provisions of the charter;

b) It fails to engage in religious activities for one year from the date it is recognized or approved by the competent state authority for establishment, splitting, separation, merger, or consolidation; it ceases religious activities for one continuous year;

c) The period during which all religious activities are suspended has expired without resolving the cause of suspension.

2. The authority to dissolve a religious organization or its subordinate religious organization is as follows:

a) The People's Committee at the provincial level where the headquarters of the religious organization or its subordinate religious organization are located shall respond in writing regarding the request by the religious organization or its subordinate religious organization for dissolution according to point (a) of Clause 1 of this Article;

b) The People's Committee at the provincial level where the headquarters of the religious organization or its subordinate religious organization are located dissolves or requests the dissolution of a subordinate religious organization when it falls under the circumstances specified in points (b) or (c) of Clause 1 of this Article.

3. Prior to dissolution, the religious organization or its subordinate religious organization must fully fulfill its obligations regarding assets. The assets of the dissolved religious organization or its subordinate religious organization shall be resolved according to the provisions of civil law.

Part II APPOINTMENTS, ELECTIONS, VACANCIES, CONVOCATIONS, REMOVALS, APPOINTMENT TO OFFICE, RETIREMENT, DETERMINATION OF RANK, OCCUPATION, RELIGIOUS CANDIDATES

Article 29 Appointment, Election, Vacancy, Convocation, Removal, and Appointments to Office

1. Religious organizations and their subordinate organizations shall conduct appointments, elections, vacancies, convocations, removals, and appointments to office in accordance with the statutes of the religious organization.

2. Persons appointed, elected, vacated, or convoked to a rank or position shall meet the conditions specified in paragraph 2, point a, b, and d of this Law.

3. Appointments, elections, vacancies, and convocations involving foreign elements shall be conducted in accordance with the provisions of Article 47 of this Law.

Article 30 Notification of Appointment or Convocation to a Rank

1. Religious organizations are responsible for notifying in writing the Ministry of Ethnic Affairs and Religion regarding persons appointed or convoked as Venerable, High Monk, Nun Abbess, or Nun of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha; Bishop or Priest of the Vietnam Catholic Church; Minister of various Protestant organizations; Preacher or higher of various Caodaism congregations; Lecturer or higher of the Pure Land Lay Buddhist Association of Vietnam and equivalent ranks in other religious organizations within 20 days from the date of appointment or convocation.

2. For cases of appointments or convocations to a rank not falling under the provisions of paragraph 1, within 20 days from the date of appointment or convocation, religious organizations are responsible for notifying in writing the provincial people's committee where the rank holder resides and engages in religious activities.

3. In the event that persons appointed or convoked to a rank do not meet the provisions specified in paragraph 1 and paragraph 2 of Article 29 of this Law, the competent state agency as provided in paragraphs 1 and 2 of this Article may issue a written request to the religious organization to cancel the appointment or convocation.
Within 20 days from receipt of the request, the religious organization is responsible for cancelling the appointment or convocation and notifying in writing the competent state agency as provided in paragraphs 1 and 2 of this Article about the cancellation of the appointment or convocation.

Article 31 Registration of Appointment or Convocation to a Position

1. Religious organizations are responsible for submitting registration documents to the Ministry of Ethnic Affairs and Religion before appointing or convoking the following positions:

a) Members of the leadership board of religious organizations operating in multiple provinces, cities;

b) Members of the leadership board of religious training institutions.

2. For cases not falling under the provisions of paragraph 1, before conducting appointments or convocations to positions, religious organizations are responsible for submitting registration documents to the provincial people's committee where the position is located and engaged in religious activities.

3. Religious organizations that have been granted a certificate of registration for religious activities are responsible for submitting registration documents to the competent state agency as specified in paragraph 2 of Article 20 of this Law before conducting appointments or convocations to positions.

4. Religious organizations, their subordinate organizations, and those granted a certificate of registration for religious activities are responsible for notifying in writing the competent state agency as provided in paragraphs 1, 2, or 3 of this Article about the results of appointing or convoking persons within 20 days from the date of appointment or convocation.

5. Within 10 working days from the date of the election result for a position, religious organizations, their subordinate organizations, and those granted a certificate of registration for religious activities are responsible for submitting registration documents to the competent state agency as provided in paragraphs 1, 2, or 3 of this Article.

6. For persons who are expected to lead an organization as specified in Articles 26 and 34 of this Law after being approved by a competent state agency, religious organizations shall notify the results of their appointments, elections, or convocations according to the provisions of paragraph 4 of this Article.

Article 32. Transfer of Religious Rank, Position, and Monastic Personnel

1. Prior to the transfer of religious rank, position, or monastic personnel, a religious organization, a subordinate religious organization, or an organization licensed for religious activities shall notify in writing the people's committee of the province of both the place of departure and destination no later than twenty days.

2. A religious organization, a subordinate religious organization, or an organization licensed for religious activities that transfers religious rank, position, or monastic personnel who have criminal records shall be responsible for submitting a registration document to the people's committee of the province where the transfer is anticipated.

3. Prior to the simultaneous appointment and transfer of a position, a religious organization, a subordinate religious organization, or an organization licensed for religious activities shall notify in writing the people's committee of the province of both the place of departure and destination according to the provisions of Article 31 of this Law.

Article 33. Removal from Office, Resignation, Suspension

1. A religious organization or a subordinate religious organization removes from office, resigns, or suspends a religious rank, position, or monastic personnel in accordance with the charter of the organization.
Within twenty days from the date of the document regarding removal from office, resignation, or suspension, the religious organization or a subordinate religious organization shall notify in writing the competent state authority as specified in paragraph 1 or paragraph 2 of Article 30, paragraph 1 or paragraph 2 of Article 31 of this Law.

2. An organization licensed for religious activities removes from office, resigns, or suspends a position in accordance with the operational regulations of the organization.
Within twenty days from the date of the document regarding removal from office, resignation, or suspension, an organization licensed for religious activities shall notify in writing the competent state authority as specified in paragraph 2 of Article 20 of this Law.

Paragraph 3 OF THE BASIS FOR RELIGIOUS EDUCATION AND MONASTIC TRAINING CLASSES

Article 34. Conditions and Authority for Establishing Religious Educational Institutions

1. A religious organization may establish a religious educational institution to provide religious education if it meets the conditions specified in paragraph 1 of Article 26 of this Law and the following additional conditions:

a) It has physical facilities sufficient for the purpose of education;

b) Its organizational and operational regulations are consistent with the宗旨和目的 of the religious organization; it also has admission regulations;

c) Its curriculum and content do not contravene legal provisions; it includes courses on Vietnamese history and Vietnamese law in its educational program;

d) It has management and teaching personnel who meet the requirements for education.

2. The Ministry of Ethnic Affairs and Religion is responsible for responding in writing to applications for establishing religious educational institutions.

3. After obtaining approval from the Ministry of Ethnic Affairs and Religion, a religious organization shall issue a document establishing the religious educational institution.

If within three years from the date of approval by the Ministry of Ethnic Affairs and Religion, a religious organization fails to establish an educational institution, the approval will lapse.

4. A religious educational institution is not part of the national education system.

2. The Ministry of Ethnic Affairs and Religion shall be responsible for responding in writing to requests for the establishment of religious training institutions.

3. After obtaining approval from the Ministry of Ethnic Affairs and Religion, a religious organization shall issue a document establishing a religious training institution.
If, within three years from the date of approval by the Ministry of Ethnic Affairs and Religion, a religious organization fails to establish a religious training institution, the approval document shall cease to be effective.

Religious training institutions do not belong to the national education system.

Article 35. Activities of Religious Training Institutions

1. Not later than twenty days before the commencement of activities by a religious training institution, the representative of such institution shall be responsible for notifying in writing the Ministry of Ethnic Affairs and Religion about the activities of the religious training institution, attaching the establishment document, organizational regulations and operations, admission regulations, list of leadership members, financial resources, and physical facilities to ensure the operation.

2. The organization of training and admissions by a religious training institution shall be conducted in accordance with the organizational and operational regulations, and the admission regulations already notified.

3. A religious training institution shall register with the Ministry of Ethnic Affairs and Religion when it amends its organizational and operational regulations, or admission regulations.
A religious training institution may operate according to amended regulations after obtaining approval from the Ministry of Ethnic Affairs and Religion.

4. The representative of a religious training institution shall be responsible for notifying in writing the Ministry of Ethnic Affairs and Religion about the results of each course of training within twenty days from the end of the course.

5. The level, form, and method of training by a religious training institution must comply with the training program standards prescribed by the Government.

6. The enrollment of foreign nationals at a religious training institution in Vietnam shall be conducted in accordance with the provisions of Article 45 of this Law.

Article 36. Guidelines for Curriculum and Content of Courses on Vietnamese History and Law

The Ministry of Ethnic Affairs and Religion, in conjunction with relevant ministries and agencies, shall guide the curriculum and content of courses on Vietnamese history and law for religious training institutions.

Article 37. Conducting Religious Education Classes

1. A religious organization, a subordinate religious organization, or an organization certified to engage in religious activities that conduct religious education classes for persons engaged in religious activities shall be responsible for notifying the provincial people's committee at the location of the class not later than twenty days before the commencement of the course.

2. A religious organization, a subordinate religious organization, or an organization certified to engage in religious activities that conduct religious education classes not covered by paragraph 1 of this Article shall be responsible for notifying the commune people's committee at the location of the class not later than twenty days before the commencement of the course.

3. In case a religious education class conducts any of the acts specified in Article 7 of this Law, the competent state authority as provided in paragraph 1 or paragraph 2 of this Article shall issue a written request to the religious organization, subordinate religious organization, or an organization certified to engage in religious activities not to conduct or suspend the educational class.

Article 38. Dissolution of Religious Training Institutions

1. A religious training institution shall be dissolved under one of the following circumstances:

a) In accordance with the decision of a religious organization;

b) After three years from the date of approval by the Ministry of Ethnic Affairs and Religion for its establishment, if the religious training institution does not conduct any training activities;

c) After the period during which all training activities have been suspended due to non-compliance with the reasons leading to such suspension.

2. The authority to approve the dissolution of a religious training institution is as follows:

a) The provincial people's committee at the location of the religious training institution shall be responsible for responding in writing to the request by a religious organization for approval to dissolve the religious training institution according to the provisions of point (a) of paragraph 1 of this Article;

b) The provincial people's committee at the location of the religious training institution shall approve or require the dissolution of the religious training institution when it falls under the circumstances specified in points (b) or (c) of paragraph 1 of this Article.

3. Prior to dissolution, a religious organization and a religious training institution must fulfill all obligations related to assets. The assets of a dissolved religious training institution shall be resolved according to civil law provisions.

Chapter VI ACTIVITIES OF RELIGIOUS ORGANIZATIONS; CULTURAL, EDUCATIONAL, HEALTH, SOCIAL ASSISTANCE, CHARITY, AND MORALITY ACTIVITIES OF RELIGIOUS ORGANIZATIONS

Section 1 ACTIVITIES OF RELIGIOUS ORGANIZATIONS

Article 39 Notification of the list of religious activities

1. Religious organizations, subordinate religious organizations, and organizations certified to engage in religious activities shall notify in writing the list of their annual religious activities no later than thirty days from the date they are recognized, approved, or certified to engage in such activities according to the following provisions:

a) Organizations with an operational area in one commune, ward, or special zone shall send notification to the People's Committee at the commune level;

b) Organizations with an operational area spanning multiple communes, wards, or special zones within a province shall send notification to the provincial People's Committee;

c) Organizations with an operational area in multiple provinces shall send notification to the Ministry of Ethnic Affairs and Religion.

2. Notification of the list of religious activities is conducted once per year. For religious activities not included in the notified list, the representative of the organization shall notify the competent state authority as specified in paragraph 1 of this Article at least twenty days before the commencement of such activity.

Article 40 Conferences and seminars of religious organizations

1. Religious organizations and their subordinate organizations organizing an annual conference are required to notify in writing the competent state authority as specified in Paragraph 2 of Article 41 of this Law at least twenty days before the conference.

2. Religious organizations and their subordinate organizations organizing inter-religious seminars, conferences with foreign elements, or other conferences shall submit a written request to the People's Committee of the province where the conference is planned to be held.

Article 41 General assembly of religious organizations

1. Prior to convening a general assembly, religious organizations, their subordinate organizations, and certified organizations are required to submit an application in writing to the competent state authority as specified in Paragraph 2 of this Article.

2. Approval authority for organizing a general assembly is as follows:

a) The People's Committee at the commune level shall respond in writing regarding the organization of a general assembly by subordinate religious organizations with an operational area within one commune, ward, or special zone;

b) The provincial People's Committee shall respond in writing regarding the organization of a general assembly by religious organizations, their subordinate organizations, and certified organizations with an operational area spanning multiple communes, wards, or special zones within a province;

c) The Ministry of Ethnic Affairs and Religion shall respond in writing regarding the organization of a general assembly not covered by points (a) or (b) of this paragraph.

Article 42 Religious ceremonies and sermons outside registered religious premises

1. Prior to conducting a religious ceremony outside a registered religious premise, a religious organization, its subordinate organizations, or certified organizations are required to submit a registration in writing to the competent state authority as specified in Paragraph 3 of this Article.

2. Prior to delivering sermons outside their designated area of responsibility, registered religious premises, or other registered locations, clergy, officials, and monks are required to submit a registration in writing to the competent state authority as specified in Paragraph 3 of this Article.

3. Approval authority for organizing religious ceremonies and sermons outside registered religious premises is as follows:

a) The People's Committee at the commune level where the ceremony is planned to be held shall respond in writing regarding the organization of a ceremony with a scope limited to one commune, ward, or special zone;

b) The provincial People's Committee where the ceremony is planned to be held shall respond in writing regarding the organization of a ceremony not covered by point (a) of this paragraph.

4. The competent state authority at the location of the religious ceremony and sermon shall provide support for ensuring security and order during such events.

Article 2 Activities of Religion with Foreign Elements

Article 43 Conditions, Authority to Approve and Revoke Registration Documents for Concentrated Religious Activities of Foreign Nationals Legally Residing in Vietnam

1. A foreign national legally residing in Vietnam may register for concentrated religious activities in Vietnam if the following conditions are met:

a) The religion has doctrines, rules, and content of religious activities that do not fall under any of the cases specified in Article 7 of this Law;

b) There is a legal location for conducting concentrated religious activities;

c) The representative meets the conditions specified in points b and d of Clause 2, Article 14 of this Law;

d) The name of the group does not coincide with the names of religious organizations, subordinate religious organizations, or organizations that have been granted a certificate for religious activity operations, political organization names, political-social organization names, or names of national heroes.

2. The People's Committee at the provincial level shall be responsible for responding in writing to requests from foreign nationals legally residing in Vietnam regarding registration for concentrated religious activities.

3. A group registered for concentrated religious activities may change its location and replace its representative in accordance with legal provisions.

4. Within six months, if a group conducting concentrated religious activities does not organize such activities, the approval document from the People's Committee at the provincial level ceases to be effective, except where force majeure is provided for under civil law.

5. The People's Committee at the provincial level shall revoke the approval document for registration of concentrated religious activities in any of the following cases:

a) The group conducting concentrated religious activities engages in any of the behaviors specified in Clauses 4 or 5, Article 7 of this Law;

b) At the request of the representative of the group conducting concentrated religious activities as provided for in point c, Clause 1 of this Article.

Article 44 Religious Activities and International Relations Activities about Religion of Foreign Organizations and Individuals in Vietnam

1. A religious organization or a subordinate religious organization shall, before inviting foreign organizations or individuals to Vietnam to conduct religious activities or international relations activities about religion, submit an application to the competent state agency as specified in Clause 2 of this Article.

2. The authority to approve religious and international relations activities by foreign organizations or individuals in Vietnam is as follows:

a) The People's Committee at the provincial level shall be responsible for responding in writing regarding invitations to foreign organizations or individuals to conduct religious activities in one province, city;

b) The Ministry of Ethnic Affairs and Religion shall be responsible for responding in writing regarding invitations to foreign organizations or individuals to conduct religious activities in multiple provinces, cities or international relations activities about religion.

3. A religious organization that has been granted a certificate for religious activity operations before inviting foreign clergy or religious practitioners to serve as clergy for the organization abroad shall submit an application to the People's Committee at the provincial level where the clergy or religious practitioner will conduct their teachings.

4. The group conducting concentrated religious activities of foreign nationals legally residing in Vietnam, before inviting foreign clergy to teach, shall submit a request document to the People's Committee at the provincial level where the location for such concentrated religious activities is situated.

5. During the teaching process, foreign clergy must respect the regulations of the religious organization, subordinate religious organizations, and religious organizations that have been granted certificates for religious activity operations in Vietnam, and comply with Vietnamese law.

Article 45. Foreign Nationals Studying at Religious Training Institutions in Vietnam

1. A foreign national studying at a religious training institution in Vietnam must be a lawful resident of Vietnam, comply with Vietnamese law, voluntarily register for study, and have the religious training institution submit an application file to the People's Committee of the province where the religious training institution is located.

2. The People's Committee of the province where the religious training institution is located shall respond in writing regarding a foreign national studying at a religious training institution in Vietnam.

Article 46. Participation in Religious Activities and Training Abroad

1. A religious organization, a subordinate religious organization before dispatching clergy, officials, monks, or believers to participate in religious activities abroad shall have the responsibility to submit an application file to the People's Committee of the province where such clergy, official, monk, or believer resides and engages in religious activities.

2. A religious organization, a subordinate religious organization before dispatching clergy, officials, monks, or believers to participate in religious training abroad shall have the responsibility to submit an application file to the Ministry of Ethnic Affairs and Religion.

3. The competent state authority that has prescribed the responsibilities under paragraphs 1 and 2 of this Article shall have the responsibility to respond in writing regarding a religious organization, a subordinate religious organization dispatching clergy, officials, monks, or believers to participate in religious activities and training abroad.

Article 47. Conferment, Appointment, Election, and Nomination with Foreign Elements

1. Conferment, appointment, election, and nomination with foreign elements include the following cases:

a) A foreign religious organization conferring, appointing, electing, or nominating for Vietnamese citizens in Vietnam;

b) A religious organization in Vietnam conferring or nominating a position to a foreign national who is a lawful resident of Vietnam.

2. The person conferred, appointed, elected, or nominated under point a of paragraph 1 of this Article must meet all the conditions specified in paragraph 2 of Article 29 of this Law.

3. The person conferred or nominated for a position under point b of paragraph 1 of this Article must meet the following conditions:

a) A person conferred or nominated as clergy shall comply with the provisions at points b and d of paragraph 2 of Article 14 of this Law;

b) Has undergone religious training at a religious training institution in Vietnam;

c) Complies with Vietnamese law.

4. The authority to approve conferment, appointment, election, or nomination with foreign elements is as follows:

a) The Ministry of Ethnic Affairs and Religion shall have the responsibility to respond in writing regarding the conferment, appointment, election, or nomination with foreign elements specified at point a of paragraph 1 of this Article;

b) The People's Committee of the province where the foreign national resides and engages in religious activities shall have the responsibility to respond in writing regarding the conferment or nomination for a position to a foreign national who is a lawful resident of Vietnam.

5. A Vietnamese citizen being conferred, appointed, elected, or nominated by a foreign religious organization abroad when returning to Vietnam to serve as clergy or official must have the religious organization, subordinate religious organization directly managing him submit an application registration file to the Ministry of Ethnic Affairs and Religion.

Article 48. International Relations Activities of Religious Organizations, Subordinate Religious Organizations, Clergy, Officials, Monks, and Believers

1. A religious organization, a subordinate religious organization, clergy, official, monk, or believer shall conduct international relations activities in accordance with the charter of the religious organization and in compliance with Vietnamese law.

2. When conducting international relations activities, a religious organization, a subordinate religious organization, clergy, official, monk, or believer must comply with Vietnamese law and the laws of the relevant country.

Article 49. Joining a Foreign Religious Organization

1. Prior to joining a foreign religious organization, a religious organization shall have the obligation to submit an application file to the Ministry of Ethnic Affairs and Religion.

2. The Ministry of Ethnic Affairs and Religion shall have the obligation to respond in writing regarding the application for joining a foreign religious organization submitted by the religious organization.

3. Upon termination of participation in a foreign religious organization, a religious organization shall have the obligation to notify in writing the Ministry of Ethnic Affairs and Religion.

Section 3 ACTIVITIES IN THE FIELD OF EXPORT, EDUCATION, HEALTHCARE, SOCIAL ASSISTANCE, CHARITY, AND HUMANITARIANISM

Article 50. Activities of Publishing, Producing, Exporting, Importing Cultural Products

A religious organization and a subordinate religious organization may engage in the publication of scriptures and other publications related to beliefs and religions; produce, export, import cultural products, religious items, and religious use goods in accordance with the provisions of the law on publishing and other relevant laws.

Article 51. Activities of Education, Healthcare, Social Assistance, Charity, and Humanitarianism

A religious organization and a subordinate religious organization may participate in educational activities, healthcare services; carry out social assistance, charity, and humanitarian activities to serve the cause of national development, ensure social security, strengthen the unity of the entire nation according to relevant laws.

Chapter VII ASSETS BELONGING TO RELIGIOUS SITES AND ORGANIZATIONS

Article 52. Management and Use of Assets Belonging to Religious Sites and Organizations

1. Assets belonging to religious sites and organizations include assets formed from contributions by members of the organization; donations, gifts, or other sources in accordance with the law.

2. Assets belonging to religious sites and organizations must be managed and used for their intended purpose, transparently, and in compliance with relevant legal provisions.

3. Religious sites and organizations formed according to custom, where members of the community contribute, donate, or gift collectively or from other sources as prescribed by law to serve the needs of religious communities are common assets of the community.

4. Conversion, transfer, donation, leasing, mortgage, capital contribution using land use rights shall be carried out in accordance with relevant laws.

5. Receipt and management of foreign donations for a religious organization, a subordinate religious organization; collection by representatives or management bodies of religious sites and organizations, subordinate religious organizations are conducted in accordance with the law.

Article 53. Religious Land, Religious Property

Religious land and property shall be managed and used in accordance with the laws on land.

Article 54. Renovation, Upgrade, Maintenance, Restoration, Construction of Religious Facilities, Religious Structures, and Ancillary Structures

1. The renovation, upgrading, and construction of new religious facilities, religious structures, and ancillary structures shall be carried out in accordance with the laws on construction and other relevant laws.

2. The maintenance, restoration, and reconstruction of religious sites or structures listed in the inventory of cultural heritage or those already ranked by competent state authorities are conducted in accordance with the laws on cultural heritage, laws on construction, and other relevant legal provisions.

Article 55. Relocation of Religious and Cultural Heritage Sites

The relocation of religious or cultural heritage sites for purposes such as national defense, security, economic and social development, in the interest of the state or public welfare shall be carried out in accordance with the provisions of land law, construction law, cultural heritage law, and other relevant laws.

Chapter VIII STATE MANAGEMENT OF RELIGION AND RELIGIOUS AFFAIRS

Article 56. Content of State Management of Religion and Religious Affairs

1. Drafting and submitting to competent authorities for issuance or issuing by authority legal documents concerning religion and religious affairs.

2. Publicizing and educating on laws related to religion and religious affairs.

3. Guiding the application of legal documents; receiving and handling requests and suggestions regarding legal documents; training, instructing, and enhancing professional skills in relation to religion and religious affairs.

4. Conducting inspections, supervision, and oversight of compliance with laws related to religion and religious affairs.

5. Resolving complaints and addressing violations of laws related to religion and religious affairs.

6. Engaging in international cooperation concerning religion and religious affairs.

7. Reporting on the implementation of laws related to religion and religious affairs.

8. Implementing applications, promoting scientific, technological development, innovation, and digital transformation in state management of religion and religious affairs; establishing, managing, and utilizing databases related to religion and religious affairs.

9. Delegating and authorizing the content of state management of religion and religious affairs.

Article 57. Authority for State Management of Religion and Religious Affairs

1. The Government shall uniformly manage state affairs concerning religion and religious affairs nationwide.

2. The Ministry of Ethnic Affairs and Religions is responsible to the Government for implementing state management of religion and religious affairs.

3. Ministries, equivalent ministries, agencies under the Government, provincial people's committees shall cooperate with the Ministry of Ethnic Affairs and Religions in performing tasks related to religion and religious affairs within their functions, duties, and powers.

4. People's Committees at all levels shall implement state management of religion and religious affairs within their jurisdictions.

Article 58. Specialized Inspection on Religion and Religious Affairs

1. Specialized inspection on religion and religious affairs is an activity conducted by a competent state authority to inspect agencies, organizations, or individuals for compliance with laws related to religion and religious affairs.
The Minister of Ethnic Affairs and Religions has the authority to conduct specialized inspections on religion and religious affairs nationwide. People's Committee heads at all levels have the authority to conduct specialized inspections on religion and religious affairs within their jurisdictional management.

2. Specialized inspection on religion and religious affairs shall perform the following tasks:

a) Inspecting people's committees in implementing policies and laws related to religion and religious affairs;

b) Inspecting organizations or individuals for compliance with laws related to religion and religious affairs;

c) Inspecting cases that show signs of violation of laws related to religion and religious affairs.

Article 59. Complaints, Reports, and Litigation Concerning Religion and Religious Affairs

1. The representative, management body of a place of worship, religious organization, subordinate religious organizations, organizations registered for religious activities, officials, clergy, believers, and other individuals with relevant rights and obligations have the right to lodge complaints, initiate administrative or civil litigation, and request resolution of civil matters at courts in order to protect their lawful rights and interests according to legal provisions.

2. Individuals have the right to report violations of laws related to religion and religious affairs. The handling of reports on violations of laws related to religion and religious affairs shall be conducted in accordance with the law on reporting.

Chapter IX PROVISIONS FOR IMPLEMENTATION

Article 60. Enforceability

1. This Law shall come into force on January 1, 2027.

2. The Decree on Religion No. 02/2016/QH14, as amended and supplemented by certain provisions according to the Law No. 84/2025/QH15, shall cease to be enforceable from the date this Law comes into force, except as provided in Paragraph 1 of Article 61 of this Law.

3. The Government shall specify detailed provisions for Articles 8, Paragraph 5 of Article 9, Paragraphs 1, 3 and 4 of Article 14, Paragraph 2 and Point b of Paragraph 3 of Article 15, Paragraph 1 of Article 16, Article 17, Article 19, Article 20, Article 21, Paragraph 2 of Article 22, Paragraphs 3 and 4 of Article 23, Article 24, Article 26, Paragraph 2 of Article 27, Paragraphs 2 and 3 of Article 28, Article 30, Article 31, Article 32, Article 33, Article 34, Article 35, Article 37, Article 38, Article 39, Article 40, Article 41, Paragraphs 1, 2 and 3 of Article 42, Article 43, Paragraphs 1, 2, 3 and 4 of Article 44, Article 45, Article 46, Paragraphs 4 and 5 of Article 47, Article 49, Paragraph 5 of Article 52 of this Law, and measures to organize and guide the implementation of this Law.

Article 61. Transitional Provisions

1. Where a file of administrative procedure has been received by an authorized state agency before the date this Law comes into force, it shall continue to be governed by the provisions of Decree on Religion No. 02/2016/QH14, as amended and supplemented by certain provisions according to the Law No. 84/2025/QH15, and related legal documents.

2. For organizations that have been granted a religious activity registration certificate before the date this Law comes into force, the time for recognition as a religious organization under Paragraph 1 of Article 21 of this Law shall be calculated from the date such organization was granted the religious activity registration certificate.

3. Within thirty days from the date this Law comes into force, religious organizations, subordinate religious organizations, and organizations that have been granted a religious activity registration certificate but have not yet reported their religious activities as required by Articles 43 and 67 of Decree on Religion No. 02/2016/QH14, as amended and supplemented by certain provisions according to the Law No. 84/2025/QH15, shall be responsible for reporting their annual religious activities to the state agency authorized under Paragraph 1 of Article 39 of this Law.

4. Within thirty days from the date this Law comes into force, representatives or management bodies of religious sites that have not yet registered their religious activities as required by Articles 12 and 67 of Decree on Religion No. 02/2016/QH14, as amended and supplemented by certain provisions according to the Law No. 84/2025/QH15, shall be responsible for reporting their annual religious activities to the state agency authorized under Point a or Point b of Paragraph 2 of Article 15 of this Law.

This Law was adopted on April 23, 2026 by the National Assembly of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, First Session, Sixteenth Legislature.