Characteristics of Indigenous Religions in Vietnam’s Land Border Areas

Abstract

Indigenous religions in Vietnam refer to religious traditions that originated in the southern region of the country during the mid-nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. Over time, some of these religions have expanded nationwide, from rural to urban areas, while others remain confined to their places of origin, or even attach themselves to border regions as a symbolic affirmation of Vietnam’s sovereignty. Each religion in each border area demonstrates its own distinctive characteristics, with religious practices adapted to the specific local context. Based on the synthesis and analysis of secondary sources as well as fieldwork, this study identifies several characteristics of indigenous religions currently present in Vietnam’s land border areas, including Cao Đài, Hòa Hảo Buddhism, the Pure Land Buddhist Association of Vietnam, Tứ Ân Hiếu Nghĩa Buddhism, Bửu Sơn Kỳ Hương, and Hiếu Nghĩa Tà Lơn Buddhism.