Foreign Ministry spokesman Le Dung on May 3 vehemently rejected the US Commission on Religious Freedom's recommendation to place Vietnam back on the list of "countries of particular concern".

Responding to foreign correspondents' question on the issue, the spokesman said: "The US Commission on Religious Freedom's recommendation is quite wrong, and does not truly reflect the current religious situation in Vietnam.

He reiterated Vietnam's consistent policy to respect and ensure Vietnamese citizens' right to follow or not follow any belief or religion. "The promulgation and enforcement of many important legal documents on religion have reinforced this notion and have created obvious changes in real religious life in Vietnam," he said.

The spokesman went on to say that; "Vietnam and the US have exchanged visits and held a series of frank and open dialogues on issues of common concern, including religion. These meetings have helped the two sides gain greater mutual understanding and the US has recognised the positive religious developments in Vietnam."

Vietnam hopes that the US government will make the right decision in accordance with the principles in the two countries’ relations in the spirit of mutual understanding and respect in order to not to affect the two countries’ board interests, spokesman Le Dung concluded. (VNA)