Vietnam Christians under pressure
Luke Randall
Christians in Vietnam are increasingly being charged for alleged involvement with separatist groups, with 119 arrested in the Central Highlands during the first half of 2026.
Authorities accuse some of those arrested of being involved with the United Front for the Liberation of Oppressed Races (FULRO) and De Ga Protestantism, characterised by the state as illegitimate Protestant practices in support of ethnic minority self-determination in the mountainous region.
Religious laws tightened in Vietnam
Luke Randall
Religious groups in Vietnam now have to register financial information with local authorities and are liable to be shut down by government officials for unspecified ‘serious violations’ under new laws implemented to manage religion.
Decree 95, the new strand under the 2018 Law on Belief and Religion, sees state oversight of religious activities increase in Vietnam, with churches required to register more information with government authorities, such as financial records and how they receive and report donations.