Vietnam is under the jurisdiction of the Orthodox Metropolitanate of Hong Kong and Southeast Asia, which is subject to the Ecumenical Patriarchate. The Russian Orthodox Church also has three parishes in Vietnam. Otherwise, most Christians in Vietnam are Roman Catholic or Protestant.

“11 Imprisoned Vietnamese Christians Missing,” International Christian Concern, July 5, 2024:

7/5/2024 Vietnam (International Christian Concern) — Eleven Vietnamese Christians who were imprisoned for religious activity and religious identity in the Southeast Asian nation are missing, prompting concerns over the treatment of detained Christ followers in Vietnam.

The 11 men, consisting of six Protestants and five Catholics, were sentenced, at different times, to a combined total of 90 years and eight months in prison dating back as far as 2011 and as recently as 2016. Now, their whereabouts are a mystery.

Protestants Ro Mah Pla, Siu Hlom, Rmah Bloanh, and Rmah Khil were accused of “undermining national unity policy” due to their involvement in Degar Protestantism, a religious movement that is unapproved by the Communist Vietnamese regime.

The Degar people, also known as the Montagnards, are an indigenous tribal people living in the Central Highlands of Vietnam. Many Degar individuals were 

allies of the United States in the Vietnam War and have converted to Christianity. According to the  group Campaign to Stop Torture in Vietnam, “government officials routinely force Montagnard Christians to publicly recant their religion, [and] those who continue to worship in independent house churches face beatings, arrest, and imprisonment.”

The remaining two Protestants refused to deny Christianity and suffered legal consequences as a result. The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) reported that Protestant Sung A Khua’s home was allegedly damaged, and he and his family were “expelled from their village” when they would not deny their faith in Christ. Though the family was eventually allowed back, Sung was arrested for “deforestation.” or using trees near his residence to “rebuild his home.” Y Hriam Kpa, the other remaining Protestant, was arrested for refusing to close his church and discontinue services.

The five Catholics, Runh, A Kuin, A Tik, Run, and Dinh Kuh, were also accused of “undermining national unity policy” for participating in the Ha Mon Catholic Church, a church that, like Degar Protestantism, does not have government approval.

In addition to the missing men, USCIRF has reported allegations of torture and mistreatment of four other imprisoned Christians….