The State and Catholics in Vietnam

The article falls within the political science of religion, a “transactional” perspective. A critical point at stake here is to preserve the political system, which officially draws on socialist ideas and Hochiminhism, which consists of the deferring of liberal democracy. The historical background of the emergence of Catholicism in Vietnam has been shown, which proves that Catholics operated under the shadow of anti-national and anti-patriotic accusations. This narrative was strengthened during Indochina’s war when the ruling Communist Party required consolidation around nationalist and communist ideas. The change brought by the reform of Doi Moi, which on the first plan put up economic liberalisation followed by greater tolerance and openness, but without changing the party system. Catholics enjoy greater freedom. They can also join the Communist Party, in return, expects stabilisation and support for the political system. New forms of cooperation with religious groups have been developed, and some of them are still criticised, including limitations related to the registration of religious groups and control by the state apparatus.