Vietnam is the rich culture country and has variety of religions. The earliest established religions in Vietnam are Buddhism, Confucianism, and Taoism. Buddhism is the main religion as well as the most long-standing religion in Vietnam. First known in 16th century as missionary activities of Western missionaries, Christianity ranks the 2nd about the number of religious people. Founded in Tay Ninh Province in 1926, Caodaism is one of big religions in Vietnam which was formed on the base of Buddhism, Taoism and Confucianism. Beside Vietnam also has many other religious like Hinduism and Judaism.
1. Vietnam Buddhism
Buddhism is the main religion as well as the most long-standing religion in Vietnam. According to the statistics of the Government Committee for Religious Affairs in 2011, the number of Buddhists in Vietnam is around 10 million people and accounted for 7.93% of national population.
Under the reign of Ly Dynasty and Tran Dynasty, Buddhism flourished and reached the position of official religion in Vietnam. Variety of pagodas, temples were built; monks had high social status and received high respect of every people. Several Kings of Ly and Tran Dynasty were also Buddhists. Even King Tran Nhan Tong, after he abdicated, decided to be a monk and found Truc Lam Yen Tu Zen School.
After that, as the influence of the Western, Buddhism slowly lost its dominant role. It was not until 20th century that Buddhism got back to its position of main religion. Now, Buddhism is the religion that ranks 1st about the number of religious people in Vietnam.
2. Vietnam Christianity
In Vietnam, Christianity ranks the 2nd (just after Buddhism) about the number of religious people. As result of 2009 Population & Housing Census, there are around 5,677,000 people in Christianity and that figure is accounted for 6.62% of national population.
Vietnamese people first known about Christianity in 16th century as missionary activities of Western missionaries. For a long later period, Western missionaries took efforts to widely introduce Christianity to people in all over the country. However, till Vietnam and France concluded the 1884 Protectorate Treaty (so-called the Treaty of Hue), which recognized French colonial protectorate in Vietnam; Christianity was allowed to have publicly work. At that time, Christianity was rapidly developed and witnessed a sharp increase in the number of Christians and churches.
3. Vietnam Caodaism
Caodaism is one of big religions in Vietnam with more than 1 million religious people, accounted for 1.01% of national population.
Caodaism has a very short history of foundation in comparison with others religions in Vietnam. It was official founded in Tay Ninh Province in 1926. Caodaism was formed on the base of Buddhism, Taoism and Confucianism. People in Caodaism worship three teachings (Buddha, Saint and Sage) as well as their ancestor. They believe in cycle of eternal change and believe that they can get out of that cycle if they do right things (such as helping the others, not killing animals, etc.).
4. Other Vietnam Religions
Beside three religions mentioned above, Vietnamese people also practice many other religions such as Hinduism (about 54,000 Hindus), Islam (about 63,000 Muslims), Judaism (with 300 Jews), etc.
However, in fact, approximately82% of Vietnam’s population doesn’t practice any religion. Non-religious people and religious people in any religion in Vietnam are all treated fairly as freedom religion policy of Vietnamese government.s
