Vietnam is a multi-religious country with a high degree of syncretism. The government officially recognizes over a dozen religions, though a large portion of the population considers themselves non-religious while still practicing traditional customs.
* **Vietnamese Folk Religion & Ancestor Worship:** The most pervasive spiritual practice. Most homes and businesses have altars dedicated to ancestors and local protective deities. * **Buddhism:** Mahayana Buddhism is the dominant organized religion, deeply integrated into the cultural fabric, with prominent pagodas nationwide (e.g., One Pillar Pagoda, Bai Dinh). * **Catholicism:** Introduced by European missionaries, Vietnam has one of the largest Catholic populations in Southeast Asia. Notable landmarks include the St. Joseph's Cathedral in Hanoi and Notre-Dame Cathedral Basilica in HCMC. * **Indigenous Religions:** **Caodaism** (Cao Đài) is a syncretic religion founded in 1926 that blends Buddhism, Christianity, Taoism, and Confucianism. **Hòa Hảo** is a Buddhist-based tradition focused on peasant farmers in the Mekong Delta.
