Relationship between Viet Nam and the Vatican continue to improve

The ameliorative relationship between the Vietnamese government and the Catholic Church will be furthered at the end of January when the Prime Minister of Viet Nam, Nguyễn Tấn Dũng, visits the Vatican for the first time, AsiaNews reported on Thursday. In a meeting in mid-2005, delegates from the Vietnamese government and the Vatican expressed their desire to elevate their relationship. Meetings such as these have become more frequent over the last few years.

Viet Nam has made strides to confront past international stigmas. Following the death of Pope John Paul I, the Vietnamese government expressed their solitude in a note to the Vatican.

While the government has been slow to allow real religious freedom, it does recognize the benefits of an improved relationship with the Church. Religious groups are key players in the revitalization of the country, particularly in the poorer regions where health and education are leading priorities.

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