Vietnam (International Christian Concern) — Montagnard Christian communities in Vietnam’s Central Highlands are alarmed this week after at least six church members received orders to meet with government authorities on Wednesday. 

While these orders are commonplace and an intimidation tactic for those who refuse to join government-endorsed “churches,” four of the summonses were sent to women, which is unusual. Government officials usually target Christian men. 

Vietnamese officials persecute Christians who worship apart from the state-approved churches that are hollow mouthpieces of the government. While Vietnam’s socialist government lays the foundation, local officials can arbitrarily restrict worship and harm Christians, including abuse, intimidation, and harassment. 

The government has long targeted ethnic minorities, including Christians of Montagnard and Hmong descent, for perceived political and religious threats. State-controlled religious groups give the government complete control over religious activities and pressure independent churches to join or risk punishment. Similar to China, state-sponsored churches in Vietnam pressure members to quasi-worship government leaders ahead of Christ. 

Authorities stepped up monitoring of Christians at unregistered house churches this fall after several observed the International Day Commemorating Victims of Violence on Religion or Belief on Aug. 22. These believers also refused to join the government’s Evangelical Church of Vietnam-South, BPSOS (Boat People SOS) stated in a letter to the Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Religion or Belief with the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights in Geneva, Switzerland. Police visited and interrogated about 10 pastors and evangelists tied to the international observance. 

In December 2024, International Christian Concern (ICC) learned that Christian villagers in the Central Highlands were arrested for preparing to celebrate Christmas and worshipping in non-government-approved churches. Leaders in a handful of villages were invited to meet with local officials and warned that if they celebrated Christmas, prepared to celebrate Christmas, or attended non-sanctioned churches, they would be arrested. 

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