Religion in Vietnam

Religion in Vietnam (2018)^[1]

Irreligion/folk religion (73.7%)

Buddhism (14.9%)

Catholicism (7.4%)

Hoahaoism Buddhism (1.5%)

Caodaism (syncretizing Buddhism, Taoism, and Confucianism) (1.2%)

Protestantism (1.1%)

Others (0.2%)

The majority of Vietnamese do not follow any organized religion, instead participating in one or more practices of folk religions, such as venerating ancestors, or praying to deities, especially during Tết and other festivals. Folk religions were founded on endemic cultural beliefs that were historically affected by Confucianism and Taoism from ancient China, as well as by various strands of Buddhism (Phật giáo).^[2] These three teachings or tam giáo were later joined by Christianity (Catholicism, Công giáo) which has become a significant presence.^[3] Vietnam is also home of two indigenous religions: syncretic Caodaism (Đạo Cao Đài) and quasi-Buddhist Hoahaoism (Phật giáo Hòa Hảo).

According to estimates by the Pew Research Center in 2010, most of the Vietnamese people practiced (exclusively) folk religions (45.3%). A total of 16.4% of the population were Buddhists (Mahayana), 8.2% were Christian, and about 30% were unaffiliated to any religion.^[4] Officially, the Socialist Republic of Vietnam is an atheist state, as declared by its communist government.^[5]

According to statistics from the Government Committee for Religious Affairs, as of 2018, Buddhists account for 14.9% of the total population, Christians 8.5% (Catholics 7.4% & Protestants 1.1%), Hoahao Buddhists 1.5%, and Caodaism followers 1.2%.^[1] Other religions include Hinduism, Islam, and Baháʼí Faith, representing less than 0.2% of the population. Folk religions (worship of ancestors, gods and goddesses), not included in government statistics, have experienced revival since the 1980s.^[6]

^ ^a ^b Cite error: The named reference RIRF was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
^ Vuong, Quan-Hoang (2020). "On how religions could accidentally incite lies and violence: folktales as a cultural transmitter". Palgrave Communications. 6 (1): 82. arXiv:1909.13686. doi:10.1057/s41599-020-0442-3. S2CID 203593592.
^ "Roman Catholicism in Vietnam". www.vietnamonline.com. Retrieved 2023-05-13.
^ "The Global Religious Landscape". The Pew Forum. December 2012.
^ Jan Dodd, Mark Lewis, Ron Emmons. The Rough Guide to Vietnam, Vol. 4, 2003. p. 509: "After 1975, the Marxist-Leninist government of reunified Vietnam declared the state atheism while theoretically allowing people the right to practice their religion under the constitution."
^ Philip Taylor (2004). Goddess on the Rise: Pilgrimage and Popular Religion in Vietnam.

[RIRF-1] Cite error: The named reference RIRF was invoked but never defined (see the help page).

[2] Vuong, Quan-Hoang (2020). "On how religions could accidentally incite lies and violence: folktales as a cultural transmitter". Palgrave Communications. 6 (1): 82. arXiv:1909.13686. doi:10.1057/s41599-020-0442-3. S2CID 203593592.

[3] "Roman Catholicism in Vietnam". www.vietnamonline.com. Retrieved 2023-05-13.

[4] "The Global Religious Landscape". The Pew Forum. December 2012.

[5] Jan Dodd, Mark Lewis, Ron Emmons. The Rough Guide to Vietnam, Vol. 4, 2003. p. 509: "After 1975, the Marxist-Leninist government of reunified Vietnam declared the state atheism while theoretically allowing people the right to practice their religion under the constitution."

[6] Philip Taylor (2004). Goddess on the Rise: Pilgrimage and Popular Religion in Vietnam.

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