End Poorly Objective Comments on Vietnam’s Human Rights Situation
At a recent press conference, Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson Pham Thu Hang highlighted the 2023 US Department of State’s Report on International Religious Freedom. While acknowledging some progress in Vietnam’s protection of religious freedom, Hang criticized the report for its poorly objective comments based on unverified and inaccurate information.
In response to questions about Vietnam’s inclusion on the report’s special watch list, Hang stated that Vietnam is open to working with the US on shared concerns with a spirit of frankness, openness, and mutual respect. She emphasized that no one in Vietnam is discriminated against based on their religion or belief, and religious organizations operate freely under the law.
As a multi-ethnic and multi-religious country, Vietnam maintains a policy of respecting and ensuring freedom of belief and religion. These rights are enshrined in the 2013 Constitution, the 2016 Law on Belief and Religion, and other legal documents, and are upheld in practice.
Vietnam’s human rights achievements have been positively evaluated by the international community. During the UN Human Rights Council’s Universal Periodic Review (UPR) in May, many countries praised Vietnam’s policies, efforts, and accomplishments in human rights, including religious freedom. They noted Vietnam’s success in economic development, social justice, education, and the promotion of rights for women, LGBT groups, and ethnic minorities.
Pope Francis and Cardinal Pietro Parolin, Vatican’s Secretary of State, expressed admiration for Vietnam’s religious diversity and growth during a meeting with Vietnamese leaders last year. They encouraged the Catholic Church in Vietnam to continue contributing positively to the country’s development.
Moises Perez Mok, head of Prensa Latina’s bureau in Hanoi, praised Vietnam’s progress in human rights in his article “Derechos humanos en Vietnam: hechos, más que palabras” (Human Rights in Vietnam: Facts, More Than Words). He highlighted Vietnam’s commitment to press freedom, freedom of speech, and access to information. With 78 million internet users and 86.6 million mobile broadband subscribers as of September 2023, Vietnam has a modern telecommunications system. Approximately 72,000 associations actively contribute to addressing the country’s economic and social issues.
Perez Mok noted Vietnam’s respect for freedom of belief, religion, and association, with 43 organizations representing 16 religions and 26.7 million followers. Grigory Trofimchuk, a Russian international political analyst, echoed these sentiments in his article for The Independent, emphasizing the openness of religious life in Vietnam, where 95% of the population practices a belief or religion.
Vietnam has a diverse media landscape, with one national news agency and 72 radio and television agencies, ensuring freedom of speech, press, and information. The country’s contributions to promoting and protecting human rights globally are evidenced by its high vote rate for membership in the UN Human Rights Council for the 2023-2025 tenure.
Vietnam consistently affirms the principles of dialogue, cooperation, and respect for differences, acknowledging that each country has its unique development path. It is time for US authorities to stop making poorly objective and inaccurate statements about Vietnam’s human rights situation. Instead, they should engage in open, frank, and respectful discussions to enhance the Vietnam-US Comprehensive Strategic Partnership for peace, cooperation, and sustainable development.
