THE EMERGENCE OF NEW RELIGIOUS PHENOMENA IN HO CHI MINH CITY IN THE CONTEXT OF URBANIZATION, GLOBAL INTEGRATION, AND DIGITAL COMMUNICATION

Abstract

In the context of globalization and the reshaping of the global order, soft power has The rapid process of urbanization, international integration, and the strong development of digital communication have fostered the emergence of various new religious phenomena in Ho Chi Minh City (HCMC). Adopting an interdisciplinary approach that combines qualitative methods (in-depth interviews, focus group discussions, participant observation) with quantitative methods (structured questionnaire surveys), while also utilizing secondary data from official reports, scholarly works, and online media, this study aims to identify, analyze, and evaluate the formation, development, and impacts of new religious groups in the specific context of Vietnam’s largest metropolis. The findings indicate that new religious groups in HCMC are diverse in origin and form, ranging from therapeutic meditation and transformed folk beliefs to personal revelations. These new religions enrich spiritual life and expand religious practices, yet they also pose risks of financial exploitation, extreme superstition, and challenges to state management. To ensure healthy development, it is necessary to strengthen research, raise community awareness, promote the role of traditional religions, apply technology in governance, and foster interdisciplinary collaboration.