While visiting Vietnam, you must have noticed locals burn incense offerings either at home or on the roadside, just like in many other Asian countries, Vietnam actually has many temples and pagodas everywhere. Which religions or beliefs do most people follow in Vietnam ? How is their spiritual life? Are Vietnamese people mostly Buddhists? Let’s explore and try to find answers to these questions in this article.
Vietnam is a country with more than 4000 years of history. In the Red River delta, archaeologists found many bird paintings on the archaeological sites, from which they believed that the ancient Vietnamese believed in worshiping birds. Besides, the images of mountains, rivers, sea, etc., which were also respected by Vietnamese people as gods to protect and bless people is a testament to Vietnam’s primitive beliefs.
Buddism
Vesak festival in Vietnam (Photo: Internet)
After more than 10 centuries of Northern domination, the Vietnamese spiritual life generally had strong Chinese influence. Three ideologies which are Taoism, Confucianism and Buddhism have penetrated the spiritual life as well as the religion of the Vietnamese people. Taoism and Confucianism originated in China and entered Vietnam from the first century AD through the Chinese ruling class. However, Buddhism originated from India and there were two sects which had been introduced into Vietnam in two different ways: the Mahayana sect entered Vietnam through China with Taoism and Confucianism. And the Theravada group through neighboring Southeast Asian countries entering Vietnam is prevalent in the Khmer community in the Mekong Delta.
Roman Catholicism
Roman Catholicism first entered the country through Portuguese Catholic missionaries in the 16th century and strengthened its influence during the 17th and 18th centuries. Although the evangelization was difficult at that time, there was still a number of Catholics in Vietnam at the beginning. By the end of the 19th century when the French colonialists had completely invaded Vietnam, the mission then became popular.
Islam
Islam is the religion of a part of Cham people in Vietnam. It was first introduced in the 15th century in the kingdom of Cham Pa in central Vietnam. The religion then followed a part of Cham people who migrated to An Giang, Tay Ninh in the 19th century.
Local religions in Vietnam
Besides the religions coming from outside, there are two indigenous religions in the South of Vietnam, they are Hoahaoism and Caodaism. Hoahaoism was founded in 1939 and Caodaism was founded in 1926. These two indigenous religions currently thrive throughout the South and in some provinces in the Central Highlands and the North of Vietnam.
Nominally, Vietnam today includes the following religions: Buddhism, Taoism, Confucianism, Catholicism, Caodaism, Protestantism, Hoahaoism and Islam.
Religions in Vietnam
+ Buddhism 12.2%
+ Catholicism 6.9%
+ Caodaism 4.8%
+ Protestantism 1.5%
+ Hoahaoism 1.4%
+ Other religions 0.1%
+ No religion 73.1%
(Data from wikipedia)
There is a fact that most vistors are not aware is that 73% of the Vietnamese population is irreligious. Locals mostly practised folk religions (worship of gods, goddesses and ancestors). Although according to a 1999 census most Vietnamese list themselves as having no religious affiliation, religion, as defined by shared beliefs and practices, remains an integral part of Vietnamese life, dictating the social behaviors and spiritual practices of Vietnamese individuals in Vietnam and abroad. Therefore, most Vietnamese people still go to temples and pagodas a few times a year.
A celebration festival held to commemorate the glorious feat of arms of King Quang Trung. (Photo: internet)
At present
As a multi-religious nation, Vietnam impressed with the history of tolerance among religions. Surprisingly, no conflict between religions was had ever been never recorded through a harmonious beauty of Vietnamese culture has been miraculously created. Tradition of politeness and ancestral worship tradition as well as the belief in lifeway of Buddhism have been penetrated the mind of many Vietnamese and this has greatly contributed to the stability in the Vietnamese society for many generations.
Come and explore Vietnam and experience the endless beauty of our country has to offer. You can even choose the kind of experience you want: cuisine, culture, lifestyle and sightseeings, etc. book a tour with us today for a memorable trip in Vietnam . See you in the next article!
(Justin Ngoc Pham)
