Religion: 80% ancestral worship, classified by the government as non-religious; 9% Buddhist; 7% Catholic; 3% Cao Dia/Hoa Hao; 1% Protestant
Population: 84.4 million
People Groups: 86% Vietnamese; 14% other (representing 54 different ethnic groups, each with their own language and culture)
Languages: Vietnamese, English, French, Chinese, Khmer, local languages
Government: Socialist Republic of Vietnam, Communist Regime established in 1975 after the fall of South Vietnam
Literacy Rate: 90%
Largest City: Ho Chi Minh City, formerly Saigon, 6.2 million people
Capital: Hanoi
Area: 127,844 Square miles
Climate: Tropical with a rainy season and a hot season
This communist nation tried to eliminate the church...
in the aftermath of the Vietnam war, closing 300 churches and sending many pastors to prison. However, out of the ashes of war, and after years of oppression and persecution a strong, resilient church has emerged.
From the small core of 55,000 baptised believers in 1975 and just over 100 churches remaining open, the church in Vietnam today numbers over one million believers. WorldServe has played a pivotol role, partnering with the unregistered church and fueling the growth that has exploded the number to over 2,500 churches today.
Read below about the four major initiatives that WorldServe is carrying out in Vietnam.
Bible Distribution
With Bibles so readily available in North America, it can be hard for Westerners to comprehend why so many people are without God's Word when they desperately wish to own a copy.
• The Challenge for Those Who Want God's Word
Anchored in Christ This floating ministry center project is designed to reach refugees living on the waterways. Uneducated and ignored, these Vietnamese are not embraced by the Khmer people nor welcomed to return to Vietnam. We plan to develop 80 floating ministry centers in these waterways; reaching the 2-3 million "forgotten people." • Anchored in Christ: Serving on Cambodian Waterways • Children Donate to Reach Kids on the Rivers
