The first-ever certificate program was conducted in Hanoi (December 2012) and the second program was conducted in Ho Chi Minh City (September 2013).The program in Da Nang has 74 participants from 11 provinces in the central region and Central Highlands of Vietnam. Participants consist of faith leaders, researchers, policy advisors, government officials working on religious affairs, professors as well as Masters and Ph.D. students.

The training focuses on introducing comparative perspectives and practices on religion and the rule of law in Vietnam and other countries around the world. The program also intentionally includes observers from Central Asia who will deepen regional ties among like-minded leaders.

During the opening ceremony on 14 July, Professor Phan Van Hoa, President of the Da Nang Foreign Language University, said he valued the impact the training will bring to the Vietnamese participants and the religion and rule of law field in Vietnam. He said “Even in my dreams, I did not think we would have a chance to host this unique and important training.”

IGE, BYU, and USSH will continue to provide training on religion and rule of law in Vietnam in the years to come. The trainings will help establish a network of experts and scholars and provide knowledge and resources for future policy and law making on religion in the country. In addition, the certificate program has a Facebook page as a forum for participants and instructors to stay connected. Click here to like the Religion and Rule of Law Certificate Program Vietnam page.

Various media agencies in Da Nang covered the certificate program. Click the links below for online news articles and a television report by Da Nang Television Daily News (in Vietnamese).