On June 1 2005, on their Vietnamese language program, Radio Free Asia (RFA) interviewed Doctor Hoang Trong Tam who has been treating brother Than Van Truong for the last eight months in Dong Nai mental hospital. Dr. Tam: If I was asked I would say, in my opinion, Mr. Truong has a mental attitude that is excessive. He is fanatical and over the limits about his beliefs. RFA: When the police transferred him to the mental hospital, what did they say to the hospital about his case? Dr. Tam: They said this case is receiving "the obligatory treatment" because he has broken the law and has all the indications of a mental problem. The police transferred him here. But with me, on a professional level I can say he is fanatical. Extremely fanatical. He has an extreme belief in God. Normal Christians do not behave like him. RFA: Who determined that brother Truong has a mental problem? Dr. Tam: It wasn't me. I didn't say he was mental. The expert Medical Council made that determination. RFA: Which medicine did you inject or give to him to take? Dr. Tam: The kind of medicine that acts as a strong tranquillizer, such as haloperidol. RFA: What is your personal opinion about Mr. Truong? Dr. Tam: After the eight months I have treated him he is fanatical. Extremely fanatical. He is somewhere between normal and mental. It is not pathological, but very close to a pathological condition. He is an extreme believer. He is fanatical but with HOPE. RFA: How is he in recent times - how is his health in general? Dr. Tam: In recent days, he is all right, and his health is normal. He is nearly recovered and he is not receiving any medicine or injections. |
Interview with Dr. Hoang Trong Tam
- Current Ministry Project
By helping to provide solid Biblical teaching and training uniquely suited to the needs of a specific tribal group, VOMC is able to equip members of Vietnam’s persecuted church to stand firm in their faith and reach out to others in their communities with the powerful message of the Gospel.
Project Fund: Underground Church
- Country Information
Population
104,799,174 (2023 est.)Ethnicity (%)
Kinh [Viet] (85.3), Tay (1.9), Thai (1.9), Muong (1.5), Khmer (1.5), Mong (1.4), Nung (1.1), Hoa (1), others (5.5)Religion (%)
Catholic (6.1), Buddhist (7.9), Protestant (1), Other (0.8) none (86.3%)Leader
President To Lam (May 2024)Government type
Communist stateLegal system
Civil law systemSource: CIA World Factbook
Pray for Vietnam
We can thank the Lord for the tremendous witnessing efforts and steadfast faith demonstrated by the persecuted Christians of Vietnam. May they not be intimidated by governmental stipulations but rather encouraged to stand firm on the promises of God – relying on Him for the wisdom, diplomacy and favour required to deal appropriately with the authorities. Pray for radical changes to take place in the hearts of the country’s leaders, especially those who are responsible for implementing and administering Vietnam's laws, so that the work of the Gospel will continue to thrive.
- Pray for VietnamWe can thank the Lord for the tremendous witnessing efforts and steadfast faith demonstrated by the persecuted Christians of Vietnam. May they not be intimidated by governmental stipulations but rather encouraged to stand firm on the promises of God – relying on Him for the wisdom, diplomacy and favour required to deal appropriately with the authorities. Pray for radical changes to take place in the hearts of the country’s leaders, especially those who are responsible for implementing and administering Vietnam's laws, so that the work of the Gospel will continue to thrive.
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Vietnam News
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Worship Gathering Disrupted
A village in northeastern Vietnam.
Photo: Pexels / Quang Nguyen VinhWhile a Catholic priest was meeting with approximately 20 worshippers in a private residence on August 11th, local police abruptly cut off the power supply of the building and proceeded to raid the gathering, demanding an immediate cessation of the service. This incident occurred in Binh Khang – a village located in Vietnam's northeastern province of Thái Nguyên – at approximately 8:30 p.m.
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Pastor Arrested for Alleged Anti-State Propaganda
Police in Ho Chi Minh City
Police in Ho Chi Minh City arrested a 71-year-old pastor named Nguyen Manh Hung on January 16th after he was accused of spreading anti-state propaganda through social media. If convicted, the Christian leader could face up to 20 years in prison.
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Christians Face Opposition and Violence
A village in Vietnam.
Christian workers in Vietnam are requesting urgent prayer on behalf of believers who have recently experienced situations of severe persecution. In response to the ongoing concern, VOMC's partnering ministry office in Australia has been providing the affected Christians with greatly needed financial assistance.
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New Believer Slain by Unknown Assailants
A village in Vietnam.
Photo: Flickr / Michael Mooney (cc)
In August of this year, a widower and father of two referred to as "Brother Man" came to faith in Christ. When news of the believer's conversion became known, he began to encounter intense pressure from local authorities.
In the first incident, Brother Man was ordered to leave his home. When he refused to do so, the local authorities then confiscated his land and forbade him from contacting any other Christians. Despite the opposition, the follower of Jesus remained firm in his newfound faith.
