Vietnamese in Laos

People Name:	Vietnamese
Country:	Laos
10/40 Window:	Yes
Population:	130,000
World Population:	87,374,200
Primary Language:	Vietnamese
Primary Religion:	Buddhism
Christian Adherents:	9.00 %
Evangelicals:	1.80 %
Scripture:	Complete Bible
Ministry Resources:	Yes
Jesus Film:	Yes
Audio Recordings:	Yes
People Cluster:	Vietnamese
Affinity Bloc:	Southeast Asian Peoples
Progress Level:

Introduction / History

The Vietnamese, who call themselves Kinh or Jing, have a long history. They were a collection of Mon-Khmer speaking groups who occupied areas primarily in North Vietnam around the time of Christ. About 500 years ago, the Vietnamese migrated to the southern extremities of the country, destroying the Champa Kingdom in 1471.
There has been a Vietnamese influence in Laos for many centuries, but only since the war in north Vietnam in the 1950s have large numbers crossed into Laos and formed their own communities.
The Vietnamese live in all the provinces bordering Vietnam and in the cities of Vientiane, Savannakhet and Pakse.

What Are Their Lives Like?

Many of them prefer to maintain their Vietnamese citizenship while traveling in and out of Laos to conduct business.
In Laos the Vietnamese are traders, factory owners and merchants. Like the Chinese they have a reputation as skilled and aggressive businessmen.

What Are Their Beliefs?

Unlike the Lao, who follow the Theravada sect of Buddhism, the Viet mostly adhere to Mahayana (`Greater Vehicle') Buddhism. They also have a complex mix of religious influence including Daoism, animism, Caodaism and ancestor worship.
About one out of 12 Vietnamese claim to be followers of Jesus Christ. Most of these are Roman Catholics with a much smaller Protestant church.

What Are Their Needs?

The Vietnamese must see that Christianity is not a foreign religion imposed on them by outsiders. They need to see the love of Christ lived out among them by Spirit-filled disciples.

Prayer Points

Ask the Lord to send loving disciplers to the Vietnamese wherever they live.
Pray for a spiritual hunger among the Vietnamese that drives them to read the Bible and listen to Christian radio programs.
Pray for a church planting movement that affects every Diaspora Vietnamese community.
Pray for vibrant Vietnamese Christian believers who will disciple Lao Buddhists in the ways of Christ.