The Current Situation, Characteristics, and Emerging Issues of Religion in Vietnam’s Land Border Areas and Some Policy Recommendations

Abstract

This article analyzes the current situation, characteristics, and emerging issues of religious life in Vietnam’s land border areas. The analysis is based on statistical data and field surveys conducted in several border provinces, with representative case studies from Điện Biên, Gia Lai, and An Giang. The findings indicate that religious life in these regions has undergone notable transformations in the context of economic reforms, international integration, and the increasing expansion of inter- and trans-border relations. Major religions such as Buddhism, Catholicism, Protestantism, Hòa Hảo Buddhism, and Caodaism, together with several religions associated with ethnic minority communities - such as Khmer Theravada Buddhism and Islam - form a diverse yet unevenly distributed religious landscape across different regions. The article also devotes significant attention to identifying emerging challenges and pressing issues in contemporary religious life, particularly those related to religious security, the exploitation of religion for political purposes, and certain limitations in the implementation of religious policies and laws. On this basis, the author proposes several policy recommendations to strengthen capacity to ensure religious security and to reinforce political and security stability in border areas, thereby contributing to social stability and the sustainable development of Vietnam’s border regions.