THE PRESERVATION OF ETHNIC AND RELIGIOUS VALUES IN THE COASTAL AND ISLAND AREA OF CONTEMPORARY VIETNAM

Chu Văn Tuấn — 2026-01-13

Coastal and island areas are regions that hold a pivotal position in protecting national sovereignty. These areas have many unique characteristics in terms of the economy, culture, society, beliefs, and religion. The residents living there are plentiful and diverse in the origins of both homeland and ethnicity. Therefore, the preservation of religious and ethnic values in Vietnam's coastal and island areas demonstrates a significant meaning in fostering sustainable development of such areas in particular and in building and protecting the country in general. In this paper, we attempt to initially clarify some relevant concepts, then present an overview of the main features of ethnicity, religion, and ethnic and religious values, and finally come to elucidate situations of the preservation of ethnic and religious values in Vietnam's coastal and island communities. The paper used data drawn from statistics and field surveys conducted by the group of authors and previous researchers.

MIGRATION, RELIGION AND FACEBOOK: A STUDY ON THE ROLE OF SOCIAL NETWORKS IN THE RELIGIOUS PRACTICES OF CATHOLICS

Mai Thị Hạnh — 2026-01-13

The research aims to further understand the relationship between Catholic migrants from some Northern provinces to the capital Hanoi and the role played by Facebook in their religious practice. Relying on a mixed perspective combining traditional ethnography (offline ethnography) and online ethnography, this study argues that migration to the capital Hanoi has led to changes in the religious practices of Catholics coming from rural areas. However, thanks to Facebook, these Catholic migrants can have more connections to each other, and become closer to their home church and more interested in their religion. This study points out: 1. Facebook as virtual churches- “other” spaces to maintain migrants’ religious practices; 2. Facebook as an online library of “spiritual guidance” for the religious practice of migrants; 3. Facebook is a means of evangelization, inspiration, and awakening migrants who are losing their religion, and 4. Facebook is a means of connecting Catholic migrants with their homeland/church.

AN OVERVIEW OF THE TRADITION OF “HẬU PHẬT” IN HISTORY

Nguyễn Thị Trang — 2026-01-13

When mentioning the tradition of “Hậu Phật”, or the custom of offering “Hậu” in the past, people often indicate some concepts related to this custom such as electing Hậu, establishing Hậu, buying Hậu, post-deity, post-Buddha, post-pioneer... Based on the analysis of previous research studies and clarifying some concepts related to the custom as mentioned, this article analyzes the process of development of Hậu Phật in ancient Vietnamese society by factors related to Hậu Phật as offerings of property, offerers, and benefits of Hậu Phật.

CATHOLICISM AMONG THE VIETNAMESE CHINESE IN HO CHI MINH CITY

Mai Thuỳ Anh — 2026-01-13

The first Catholics appeared in the Chinese community in Vietnam around the late 18th or early 19th centuries. At present time, Catholicism has grown steadily in this community, especially in Ho Chi Minh City. From the approaches of Sociology and Religious Studies, the article focuses on the situation of Catholicism among Vietnamese Chinese in Ho Chi Minh City, the largest city in Vietnam, through exploring aspects such as faith, practice, and community organization.

THE TRANSFORMATIONS OF CAODAISM IN THE CONTEXT OF SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT IN VIETNAM TODAY

Nguyễn Thị Quế Hương — 2026-01-13

Social transformation and innovation occur in any country or territory, entailing transformations of social phenomena and entities, including religious facts in general and Caodaist ones in particular in Vietnam. These changes are considered the adaptation and flexible response of social phenomena to the context of social changes and development that aim to build up a better future. Since appearing in the Southern region of Vietnam to the present day and undergoing through many different historical periods, Caodaism has experienced many changes within itself to adapt to societal life. To spread its faith over the country and overseas, Caodaism has exhibited its flexibility and innovation in its religious and social activities to contribute to the overall development of Vietnamese society.

THE BELIEF IN THE PAPERMAKING ANCESTORS OF THE VIỆT PEOPLE IN CONTEMPORARY LIFE

Vũ Hồng Thuật — 2026-01-13

In the past, Hà Nội and Bắc Ninh had many poonahpaper-making craft villages. However, at present, there is only Đống Cao village (located in Bắc Ninh) which still produces poonah paper following the traditional handicraft method. Although the craft villages in Hà Nội no longer produce poonah paper, the \ worship of papermaking ancestors is still practiced by the communities every year at the communal houses in these villages. This belief expresses gratitude to the craft ancestors, manifested through various forms of ritual practices, of which the most important practice is the ceremony of the death anniversary of the craft ancestors. This ceremony exhibits traditional cultural values and aims to honor craft villages so that it should be preserved and passed down by craft villagers. This article utilized the perspective of religious anthropology to analyze the role and significance of ancestor worship in poonah-papermaking villages and to explain the phenomenon of why the annual ceremony of the death anniversary of the craft ancestors is still preserved by communities even when the production of poonah paper no longer exists there. This is a quite special phenomenon of ancestor worship of the Việt people in poonah-papermaking villages in Hà Nội and Bắc Ninh at contemporary time.