Vietnam: Engaging Ethnic Minorities


Overview


Bible Society Australia is partnering with Bible Society Vietnam (BSV) to engage ethnic minority groups in Vietnam with Scripture that has been translated into their native languages. This project focuses on creating and distributing Scripture engagement materials, such as illustrated Bible stories and study guides, carefully designed to reflect the unique linguistic and cultural contexts of each ethnic community.

 

Ethnic minority Christians in Vietnam often face significant challenges, including intense pressure and marginalisation. These communities need encouragement and spiritual nourishment as they navigate their daily struggles.

Preserving indigenous languages is crucial, and access to Scripture in these languages plays a vital role. While many ethnic minorities speak their native tongue, they lack familiarity with reading the Bible in it. This is largely due to an education system that focuses on teaching the national language, Vietnamese, and the lack of books in minority languages.

Now that Scripture translation efforts are underway for these communities, there is an urgent need to support them in engaging with God’s word in their own languages — bringing both spiritual growth and cultural preservation.

Statistics

  • 98.8 million people live in Vietnam
  • 14.7% of the country’s population are from 53 ethnic minority groups, each with its own distinct language, culture and traditions
  • 9.2% of the population are Christians

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