At a religious site in Giang Ly Cha hamlet, Ta Tong commune, Muong Te district. (Photo: Ngoc Anh/VOV5)

Muong Te, a particularly disadvantaged mountain district, is home to many ethnic minorities, including Thai, Mong, Tay, Dao, Giay, and La Hu, who practice mainly Protestantism and Catholicism at more than 20 religious sites.

Taking advantage of the poverty and lack of education of the Mong people, certain subversive forces abroad and in Vietnam began spreading a heretical form of Christianity called “Ba Co Do” founded by Vu Thi Do, a Mong ethnic who lives in the US.

This doctrine distorts Protestant teachings about the Bible to persuade gullible people to establish a separatist "Mong State."

Sung A Chu, Chairman of the Ta Tong communal People’s Committee, said the situation was quickly resolved thanks to advance knowledge of the group’s intentions by authorities.

“A few households listened to subversive propaganda and were persuaded to accept unorthodox religious views. After some discussions, they’ve been persuaded to comply with Party guidelines, State policies, and local practices and help each other lead more normal lives,” A Chu recalled.

Thanks to the efforts of local administrators and orthodox religious followers, those households have seen the hidden political agenda of the “Ba Co Do” doctrine. 

Song A Linh, a Ta Tong villager, told VOV that he joined the “Mong State” because he was misled by bad people, affirming that it was a mistake.

“Now I understand and have confidence in the Government and will no longer listen to hostile or reactionary forces. The government has cared for and helped us a lot. Poor families have received financial support. When my father got sick, for example, the government gave us money to pay for his medical treatment. Now we have enough to eat,” said A Linh.

Another Ta Tong resident named Va Lia Vu called on other people not to follow illegal religious groups, listen to bad people, or join the “Mong State.”

“It’s much better to obey State laws and help each other do business and develop the economy,” Va Lia Vu said.

Muong Te authorities have stepped up the dissemination of Party guidelines, State policies, and the Law on Belief and Religion to all hamlets and communes inhabited by ethnic minorities.

Meetings and dialogues have been held with religious followers and the heads of religious groups.

Tran Viet Thang, Deputy Director of the provincial Department of Home Affairs, said, “Protestantism in Lai Chau province has received State attention. The provincial government helps Protestantism operate within the legal framework and ensures public security.”

“We regularly meet with religious followers during their holidays. Religious activities in Lai Chau are basically stable pursuant to the current law, which protects the right to belief and religious freedom.”

Children in Ta Tong commune. (Photo: Ngoc Anh/VOV5)

Local religious groups and religious sites are encouraged to operate within the framework of the law.

Religious leaders instruct their followers to live a good life, respect God, love the nation, protect peace, practice charity, freedom and equality, and obey the law in order to build great national unity.

Pastor Vang Va De, chief of the Protestant group of Giang Ly Cha hamlet in Ta Tong commune, said his religious group only has Mong ethnics, more than 600 people, and meets once every 3 months, when they discuss security and order, the Law on Belief and Religion, and the teachings of the Vietnamese Protestant Church.

“Vietnamese people must live in accordance with the law of Vietnam. If they believe in God, they must live a good life and trust the State. Everyone wants a happy life and economic prosperity,” said Pastor De.

Religious organizations in Muong Te district operate under the motto ‘“serving the nation” and are protected by the legal framework. Religious activities and beliefs of local people are protected, and at the same time, public security and order are maintained for the good of the nation and great national unity.