Religion in Vietnam

Religion in Vietnam (2023)^[1]

Irreligion/folk religion (76.5%)
Buddhism (13.3%)
Catholicism (6.6%)
Hoahaoism Buddhism (1.4%)
Caodaism (1%)
Protestantism (1%)
Others (0.2%)

The majority of Vietnamese do not follow any organized religion, instead participating in one or more practices of folk religions, such as venerating ancestors, or praying to deities, especially during Tết and other festivals. Folk religions were founded on endemic cultural beliefs that were historically affected by Confucianism and Taoism from ancient China, as well as by various strands of Buddhism (Phật giáo).^[2] These three teachings or tam giáo were later joined by Christianity (Catholicism, Công giáo) which has become a significant presence.^[3] Vietnam is also home of two indigenous religions: syncretic Caodaism (Đạo Cao Đài) and quasi-Buddhist Hoahaoism (Phật giáo Hòa Hảo).

The Socialist Republic of Vietnam is constitutionally a secular state that guarantees freedom of religion. While the communist government implemented atheistic policies and severely restricted religious freedom from 1975 to the late 1980s, Vietnam's current constitution explicitly protects religious freedom under Article 24, stating that "all religions are equal before the law."^[4]

According to statistics from the Government Committee for Religious Affairs, as of 2023, Buddhists account for 13.3% of the total population, Christians 7.6% (Catholics 6.6% & Protestants 1%), Hoahao Buddhists 1.4%, and Caodaism followers 1%.^[1] Other religions include Hinduism, Islam, and Baháʼí Faith, representing less than 0.2% of the population combined. Folk religions (worship of ancestors, gods and goddesses), not included in government statistics, have experienced revival since the 1980s.^[5]

^ ^a ^b Cite error: The named reference RIRF was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
^ Vuong, Quan-Hoang (2020). "On how religions could accidentally incite lies and violence: folktales as a cultural transmitter". Palgrave Communications. 6 (1): 82. arXiv:1909.13686. doi:10.1057/s41599-020-0442-3. S2CID 203593592.
^ "Roman Catholicism in Vietnam". www.vietnamonline.com. Retrieved 2023-05-13.
^ Constitution of Vietnam 2013, Article 24
^ Philip Taylor (2004). Goddess on the Rise: Pilgrimage and Popular Religion in Vietnam.

[RIRF-1] Cite error: The named reference RIRF was invoked but never defined (see the help page).

[2] Vuong, Quan-Hoang (2020). "On how religions could accidentally incite lies and violence: folktales as a cultural transmitter". Palgrave Communications. 6 (1): 82. arXiv:1909.13686. doi:10.1057/s41599-020-0442-3. S2CID 203593592.

[3] "Roman Catholicism in Vietnam". www.vietnamonline.com. Retrieved 2023-05-13.

[4] Constitution of Vietnam 2013, Article 24

[5] Philip Taylor (2004). Goddess on the Rise: Pilgrimage and Popular Religion in Vietnam.

[1]

[2]

[3]

[4]

[5]