In Vietnam’s more remote areas, villagers follow traditional ethnic-animist religions, and persecution towards anybody who becomes a Christian from this background is fierce. Believers can have their homes destroyed and be expelled from the community. 

Local authorities crack down on Christian meetings, evangelism or Bible teaching. They may break up church services and detain, threaten, fine and sometimes imprison church leaders, ordering them not to speak about Jesus anymore. They are particularly suspicious of Christians from minority ethnic groups such as the Hmong. Despite this, Hmong Bible teachers bravely travel miles by motorbike into remote areas to train believers in secret Bible schools.  

The historical Roman Catholic churches enjoy more freedom than other denominations and groups but can still face interference by the state. Like all Vietnamese people, these Christians are still likely to be imprisoned if they speak out on political issues.