Viet Nam’s establishes “roadmap” for religious freedoms

Viet Nam, which has the second largest Catholic community in Asia, is seeking to establish stronger diplomatic relations with the Vatican, Reuters reported on Thursday. The announcement was made by a government spokesman at a briefing in Hanoi. The decision to develop a Holy See proposal came after meetings last week between Viet Nam’s prime minister and the Pope.

The Vietnamese government, which has been criticized often for restriction of religious freedom, also released a policy paper entitled “Religion and Policies regarding religion in Viet Nam,” it was announced at the briefing.

Additionally, the deputy chairman of the Government Committee on Religious Affairs said that Viet Nam will officially recognize two additional religions by the end of the year.

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