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IGE Convenes Vietnamese Officials and Global Experts to Advance Religious Governance Reforms
The Institute for Global Engagement (IGE) organized a two-day policy exchange on “Academic Exchange and Experiences in Religious Affairs and Governance” in Hanoi on November 6–7, 2025, in partnership with Vietnamese and international institutions.
The event assembled government policy advisers, academics, researchers, and faith leaders to examine current practices and potential improvements in religious affairs administration. Discussions centered on registration procedures for religious organizations, the scope of faith-based charitable activities, religious autonomy, and mechanisms for state–religious community engagement. Participants also reviewed comparative governance approaches from Malaysia, Singapore, and the United States.
IGE’s longstanding Religion and Rule of Law initiative—now in its 13th iteration since 2012—provided the framework for the exchange. Through this program, IGE has trained more than 1,300 Vietnamese government officials, scholars, and religious leaders on international best practices in religious freedom and the rule of law.
Opening the event, Assoc. Prof. Nguyen Manh Hung, Vice President of the Ho Chi Minh National Academy of Politics, stated, “The National Assembly is reviewing and approving nearly 50 laws aimed at driving transformative institutional and legal reforms. Many of these policies will impact ethnic and religious governance. This event creates a forum that brings together domestic and international expertise to build understanding, cooperation, and trust between cultures and legal systems.”
Vietnamese participants offered technical recommendations for updating the Law on Belief and Religion, including streamlined registration processes and clearer authorization for religious groups to conduct charitable and social-service activities.
The event was co-organized by IGE together with the Institute for Ethnicity and Religion at the Ho Chi Minh National Academy of Politics, the International Center for Law & Religion Studies at Brigham Young University Law School, and the Vietnam-USA Society.
The event was covered locally by the following official outlets:
- Ho Chi Minh National Academy of Politics
- The Ministry of Justice’s Review of Democracy and Law
The 13th Religion & Rule of Law event was held at Ho Chi Minh National Academy of Politics, Vietnam's national training center for government leaders.
Group picture taken after a vigorous and candid discussion on religion and governance.
A participant from the Communist Party Central Committee’s Commission for Mass Mobilization posed questions about balancing a person's religious practice and civic obligations.
Ho Chi Minh National Academy of Politics associate professor Do Lan Hien provides recommendations on revisions to the Law on Religion and Belief.
Singapore Management University Law School professor Eugene Tan shares about Singapore's model of state-religion collaboration.
International Center for Law & Religion Studies Associate Director Hannah Smith discusses religious freedom court cases.
Ms. Thieu Huong of Governmental Comittee on Religious Affairs discusses foreigners' religious practice in Vietnam.
Participants engage in Q&A session.
Professor Do Quang Hung shares about the role of the Vietnam Fatherland Front in engaging with faith communities on behalf of the government.
International Center for Law & Religion Studies director Brett Scharffs speaks about religious freedom and human dignity.
Key organizers of the Religion & Rule of Law event
