Over the past year, we saw an alarming trend in Vietnam of human rights defenders and religious leaders being charged and imprisoned without due process, and houses of worship being destroyed.
2024 also saw increasing instances of the government extending its repression beyond the borders of Vietnam, defaming and intimidating human rights defenders living in Thailand and the United States.
Find out more at csw.org.uk/vietnam
Sunday 26 January
The Montagnard minority ethnic group consists of approximately 30 indigenous tribes, consisting of roughly 3 million people. The majority of Montagnards are Christians and live in Vietnam’s Central Highlands. In 2024, key church and human rights leaders were arrested and detained, and houses of worship shut down. Pray that those who were unjustly arrested will be freed.
Monday 27 January
The suspicious death of Pastor Y Bum Bya – a Montagnard Christian from the Central Highlands Evangelical Church – has caused the community to fear that 2025 will bring yet more reprisals from the Vietnamese government. Pray that God will protect the Montagnard people and that Pastor Y Bum Bya’s murderers will face justice.
Tuesday 28 January
Y Quynh Bdap is a prominent human rights defender and the founder of Montagnards Stand for Justice. He is currently detained in Thailand and perilously close to being repatriated. Pray that Mr Bdap would be freed and would not be forced to return to Vietnam, where would likely face severe persecution.
Wednesday 29 January
Today marks the start of new year celebrations in Vietnam, known as Tết. Pray for a fresh outpouring of hope for the country’s religious minorities, and fresh efforts to promote freedom of religion or belief for all.
Thursday 30 January
Vietnamese security police have increasingly targeted Hmong and Montagnard Christians who fled to Thailand to claim refugee status. Many refugees in Bangkok have reported being visited at their homes in Bangkok by Vietnamese plain clothed police. Pray that God would protect them and provide opportunities for resettlement in a safe third country.
Friday 31 January
Pray that the president, the government and all authorities in Vietnam would exercise their power in a way that is fair and just to all citizens.
Saturday 1 February
Throughout 2024, independent Protestant denominations were forced to join State- controlled churches. This means the authorities can monitor churchgoers, decide what subjects are preached on, and generally make the church an arm of the State’s agenda to supress religious minorities. Pray that all churches will be free to worship without interference or monitoring.