Christian Woman Slain by Husband

Nga on a bed; a person is sitting beside her.
Photo: VOM Australia

After hearing the "Good News" of the Gospel about a month ago from missionaries visiting her local village, Nga, a 42-year-old Vietnamese woman, turned in faith to Christ. She was the first in her village to respond to God's message of salvation, which had been presented to her by the evangelizing Christians. However, unlike Nga, her husband Vu was not open to hearing the missionaries' message.

When local authorities discovered that Nga had left their traditional religion of Buddhism and ancestor worship, they approached Vu and demanded that he convince his wife to renounce her new faith. When Nga refused, the authorities notified Vu that if his wife persisted in her adherence to Christianity, he and his family would be cut off from any future governmental aid. Angered by this news, Vu beat his wife so severely that she was admitted to the hospital. Soon after, Nga died of her injuries.

Following the incident, Vu fled the area leaving behind the couple's four children, who are between the ages of eight and 14 years old. Although Vu has not been charged with his wife's death, there appears to be little interest in filing any charges against him.

At the funeral held for Nga, Vu sent word that the children were to be taken to a government-run orphanage. Instead, a Christian worker affiliated with The Voice of the Martyrs offered to adopt the two youngest children, and has been providing assistance in search of good homes for the others. For additional reports addressing persecution in Vietnam, and/or to learn of ways you can pray for believers in this Southeast Asian country, go to our country report.

Prayerfully remember these four hurting children as they deal with the sudden loss of their mother, and now also the rejection of their father. Ask God to minister comfort, emotional healing, and provision for their practical and spiritual needs. As you think of the situation surrounding Nga's death, please uphold the many other believers whose lives are likewise targeted, threatened and endangered for following Jesus – not only by authorities in the land, but also by their own family members. Specifically, pray that the Spirit of God will bring needed conviction and accountability to Vu, bearing witness to the truth and leading him to sincere repentance. All the while, may the Gospel message continue to spread in Nga's village and throughout the country so that many lives will be transformed by the power of God's Word.

  • 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 state

    Legal system
    Civil law system

    Source: 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 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.

Vietnam News

  • Worship Gathering Disrupted
    A view from above a valley in northeastern Vietnam.
    A village in northeastern Vietnam.
    Photo: Pexels / Quang Nguyen Vinh

    While 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.

  • Pastor Arrested for Alleged Anti-State Propaganda
    Two police vehicles are parked along a curb.
    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.

  • Christians Face Opposition and Violence
    Several houses sit over or near a body of water.
    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.

  • New Believer Slain by Unknown Assailants
    Several homes are surrounded by trees on a hillside.
    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.