Đắk Lắk Province, Vietnam — March 2026 Members of independent Protestant house churches in Vietnam’s Central Highlands say they faced a series of police summons, interrogations, and threats in late March, as local authorities tightened control over unregistered religious activities.
According to accounts from church members in xã Drai Bhăng and xã Êa Ênuôl, several ethnic Ê Đê (Montagnard) Christians were ordered to appear at commune police stations on March 26–27, 2026. They report being questioned for hours about their worship practices, church identity, and involvement in a newly formed Protestant organization established in 2025.
Questioning Focused on Church Identity and Activities
Church leaders say police demanded explanations about the church’s logo, leadership, and formation date. One leader recalled being asked what the logo contained. He responded that it included the Ê Đê phrase “Sang Aê Diê Hưn Klei Mrâo Mrang Jăk” and the Vietnamese translation “Hội Thánh Truyền Giáo Tin Lành.”
Authorities allegedly told him that the government “cấm không cho lập hội mới… không được sinh hoạt tập trung đồng người”, meaning new religious groups and group worship gatherings were not permitted.
Threats of Fines and Imprisonment
Multiple individuals reported being warned that continuing to worship outside state‑recognized churches could result in:
- Administrative fines of 20–30 million VND
- Arrest and long‑term imprisonment
- Forced dissolution of their independent congregations
Police reportedly urged them to join state‑approved denominations such as the Evangelical Church of Vietnam (South).
House Worship Declared “Not Allowed”
On March 27, a church member in xã Êa Ênuôl was questioned for hosting worship gatherings in his home. He said police told him that his house church was “not recognized by the state” and therefore not allowed to operate.
He responded that community members came voluntarily and that “Đó là quyền tự do của người dân tự lựa chọn” (“It is the people’s freedom to choose”).
Accusations of “Superstition”
Authorities also criticized the group’s prayer practices—such as fasting, healing prayer, and deliverance prayer—calling them “mê tín dị đoan” (“superstitious”) and claiming they violated state regulations.
Ongoing Tension in the Central Highlands
Vietnam requires religious groups to register with the government, a process that independent Montagnard churches say is often denied or delayed. Similar tensions between local authorities and unregistered Protestant communities have been documented in the Central Highlands for years.
Church members in Đắk Lắk say they intend to continue worshipping in their homes despite the pressure, asserting that their practices are peaceful and rooted in long‑standing community traditions.
By: MSFJ Team
