Relationship dossier
Vatican City
Vietnam
Relationship assessment
Gradual diplomatic engagement amid continuing concerns over religious regulation
Vatican City toward Vietnam
+35The Holy See has pursued sustained dialogue with Vietnam through bilateral working-group talks and high-level engagement. In 2023, the parties agreed to establish a resident papal representative in Vietnam, reflecting the Holy See’s effort to deepen official relations.
Vietnam toward Vatican City
+25Vietnam has participated in bilateral dialogue with the Holy See and agreed in 2023 to host a resident papal representative. At the same time, state regulation of religious activity remains a concern affecting Catholic communities and institutions.
Overall relationship
+30The relationship is characterized by gradual official engagement rather than full diplomatic ties, with working-group dialogue and the 2023 agreement on a resident papal representative marking significant steps. State regulation of religious activity remains a source of concern, limiting the extent of rapprochement.
How to read these scores
Scores are rough judgments, not objective measurements or current verification. Directional scores describe government policy and conduct, not public opinion. The overall score is an independent estimate, never an average.
- −100
- Extreme sustained hostility
- −50
- Substantially adversarial
- 0
- Mixed or neutral, supported by knowledge
- +50
- Substantially cooperative
- +100
- Exceptionally close sustained partnership
“Not assessed” means there is no recorded score. Pair existence makes no claim about diplomatic recognition or established relations.
Relationship context
Overview
The Holy See and Vietnam have pursued gradual engagement despite the absence of full diplomatic relations. Bilateral working-group talks and high-level contacts have supported dialogue, and in 2023 they agreed to establish a resident papal representative in Vietnam. Vietnam’s regulation of religious activity remains a concern in the broader relationship, including for Catholic communities.
Areas of tension
- Vietnamese regulation of religious activity and Catholic institutions
Key developments
The Holy See and Vietnam began a bilateral working group process to discuss relations and religious issues.
The Holy See and Vietnam agreed to establish a resident papal representative in Vietnam.
Major uncertainties
- The scope and practical implementation of the resident papal representative’s role are unclear.
- The extent to which dialogue has addressed restrictions affecting Catholic institutions and religious activity is uncertain.