Situation And Characteristics Of Catholic Communities In Vietnam’s Land Border Areas

Abstract

This study focuses on two major aspects. Firstly, it provides updated data (as of 2024) on
Catholicism in several land border areas of Vietnam, primarily drawing on two sources: reports issued by relevant local authorities and findings from fieldwork interviews and surveys. Secondly, the article analyzes key characteristics of Catholic communities in these regions. Based on historical and religious studies approaches, the data reveal significant differences in the origins, belief patterns, and religious practices of these communities. Such variations are shaped by diverse missionary histories, migration processes, and the socio-economic contexts of each locality.