Ha Noi (VNA) - "Religious practices in Viet Nam are very open and are thriving", stressed Chuck Searcy, Vice President of Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund (VVMF).

Answering questions from a Viet Nam News Agency reporter on the 2004 Human Rights report by the US State Department, Chuck Searcy said "as an American who has lived and worked in Viet Nam for about 10 years, I do not agree with the opinion of some Americans who actually may not know much about life in Viet Nam, but who accuse Viet Nam of not allowing religious freedoms. My observations and my experience in Viet Nam is that not only is there great religious freedom, but also the number of religious groups is growing bigger all the time, and the number of churches and places of worship are also increasing. It seems to me that religious practices in Vietnam are very open and are thriving."

 "I heard about some problems in parts of Viet Nam, in the Central Highlands for example, where critics accuse the Vietnamese government of oppressing religions. Although I don't know the facts and the details about the situation, what I have seen when I have gone to the Central Highlands myself, is also a lot of religious activities, and many churches, including Protestant Churches.  So at least, from looking at the situation as a foreigner, it appears to be very normal and very active," he said.

"If there is a problem in Viet Nam, and it is possible because nearly every country has small problems with religious groups or other activities, even in the US, it seems to me that the Vietnamese are much more likely to review the situation and take some positive action if the discussion from outside is constructive and helpful. But if another country wants to punish Viet Nam based on their own idea about what is happening with religion inside Viet Nam, then I think it's negative and it's not helpful at all," he stressed and adding "Then I think the government and the Vietnamese people will resist. It's just like, it's not your business, it's up to us"./.