The State of Vietnam has been implementing many specific policies and measures to ensure that people fully enjoy rights to freedom of religion and belief.

The policies have created a varied and vivid religious life all over the country, the Foreign Ministry’s spokesman Luong Thanh Nghi affirmed when answering to reporters’ question regarding to the US Department of State’s “2011 International Religious Freedom Report”.

 Foreign Ministry Spokesman Luong Thanh Nghi

“Over recent years, Vietnamese-US relations have developed on many aspects. Both sides have conducted frank and constructive dialogues on many issues, including the freedom of religion and belief,” he stressed.

“Vietnam always welcomes US congressmen and governmental officials to visit, in order to increase their understanding and have a clear and objective view of the country’s situation, including the religious beliefs and practices of the people,” he added.

“Regrettably, although acknowledging Vietnam’s achievements in securing the people’s rights to freedom of religion and belief, there are biased remarks based on incorrect information in the US Department of State’s report,” the spokesman said.

“We hold that the US’s objective and accurate views on Vietnam’s situation, including the freedom of religion and belief, will contribute positively to promoting the healthy development of Vietnamese-US ties in accordance with the benefits and aspirations of both governments and peoples,” Nghi noted.

(VNA)