World Watch Update: Vietnam
Region: Southeast Asia
2018 World Watch List Position: #18
Leader: President Tran Dai Quang
Population: 95 415 000 (only 8.8% are Christians)
Main Religion: Buddhism and Atheism
Government: Communist State
Sources of Persecution: Communist and Post-Communist Oppression
Led by the Communist Party, government authorities in Vietnam persecute the Christian minority largely by passing laws that disadvantage them. Believers from ethnic minority groups face the greatest persecution. Seen as traitors of their tribal culture and identity, Christians face harassment, violent attacks and social exclusion. Villagers collude with local Communist authorities, beating believers, kicking them out of their villages and stoning places of worship. Non-Christian relatives cut family ties and deny inheritance. Christian bloggers and political activists have been arrested and sentenced.
Please pray:
- For God to build up the faith of new believers from ethnic minorities, like the Hmong.
- For courage and strength for those who are being pressured to return to their family’s faith.
- For the Holy Spirit to move government leaders to loosen restrictions on the Christian minority.