Mr Phuc, who is also Minister, Head of the Government Office, said this at a celebration of 100 years of Protestantism in Vietnam in the central coastal city of Da Nang on June 14.

Over the past 100 years, the SECV has developed from a small one in Da Nang to the biggest one in the country with around 700,000 Protestant followers in 34 southern cities and provinces, he said.

Since it was legally recognised in 2001, it has been facilitated by authorities at all levels with the building of many places of worship, the establishment of a Bible theological institute and the publication of a bulletin and books in a number of ethnic languages, the Minister said.

Head of the SECV Pastor Thai Phuoc Truong reviewed the development of the SECV over the past century, saying the celebration is an opportunity for the present generations to remember those who brought Protestantism to Vietnam.

He took the occasion to thank the Government, the Government Committee for Religious Affairs, ministries and branches for facilitating Protestant followers’ activities.

Similar celebrations will be held in Hanoi on June 20 and Ho Chi Minh City on June 24 and 25.