Hinduism in Vietnam

Hinduism in Vietnam is mainly observed by the ethnic Cham people.[1][2] Balamon Cham is one of two surviving non-Indic indigenous Hindu peoples.[3]

Vietnamese Hindus
Total population
Around 64,547
Religions
Hinduism
Scriptures
Bhagavad Gita & Vedas
Languages
Sanskrit (sacred)
Vietnamese, Cham, Tsat, Khmer
Hinduism by country
Africa
Asia
Europe
North America
Caribbean
Oceania
South America
Full list

Cham Hindus
Main article: Cham people
Ganesh Temple in Po Nagar

The majority of Cham are Muslim, but the Cham of Vietnam (also known as the Eastern Cham) are more diverse in their religious beliefs unlike their Cambodian counterparts who are largely Muslim. In Vietnam, Hindu Chams who are known as Balamon or Ahier Chams who make up a significant population of the Chams in Vietnam.[4] Hindu Chams are called Balamon (Bani) Cham or Balamon Hindu.[5] They practice a form of Shaivite Hinduism.[6][7][8] The number of Balamon Cham Hindus in Vietnam were declared at 64,547 (36%) out of a total Cham population of 178,948 according to the 2019 population census.[9] The Mariamman Temple is one of the most notable Tamil Hindu temples in Ho Chi Minh City. Ninh Thuan and Binh Thuan Provinces are where most of the Cham ethnic group (≈65%) in Vietnam reside according to the last population census. Cham Balamon (Hindu Cham) in Ninh Thuan numbered 32,000 in 2002 inhabiting 15 of 22 Cham villages.[10]

Cham Hindus believe that when they die, the sacred bull Nandi comes to take their soul to the holy land of India.[11] The main festival of Cham Hindus is the Kate festival,[12] or Mbang Kate. It is celebrated for 3 days at the beginning of October.[13][14]

Demographics
Historical Population
YearPop.±%
200956,427—    
201964,547+14.4%

According to the government census in 2009, both the population of Balamon Hindus and other Hindus were included which in total numbered 56,427.[15][16]

Hindu Temples
Interior of Mariamman Temple, Ho Chi Minh City.

There are 4,000 Hindus in Ho Chi Minh City, most are Bani Cham and a small minority of Indians.[17] The Mariamman Temple, Ho Chi Minh City is their focal point for the Tamils. It is also considered sacred by many native Vietnamese and Chinese. It is also believed to have miraculous powers and is dedicated to the Hindu goddess Mariamman.[18]

There are three Indian Hindu temples in Saigon (Ho Chi Minh City) - Sri Thendayuthapani temple, Đền Subramaniam Swamy temple and Mariamman Temple.[19]

Ancient Cham Hindu Temples

See also

References
  1. "Hindus of Vietnam - Hindu Human Rights Online News Magazine". www.hinduhumanrights.info. 19 October 2012.
  2. "Vietnam's ancient Hindu culture rediscovered". InDaily. 2015-03-23. Retrieved 2020-09-14.
  3. Parker, Vrndavan Brannon (April–June 2014). "Cultures: Vietnam's Champa Kingdom Marches on". Hinduism Today.
  4. "Cham - Introduction, Location, Language, Folklore, Religion, Major holidays, Rites of passage". www.everyculture.com.
  5. "The Cham: Descendants of Ancient Rulers of South China Sea Watch Maritime Dispute From Sidelines". National Geographic News. 18 June 2014.
  6. "Religion and expressive culture - Cham". www.everyculture.com.
  7. India's interaction with Southeast Asia, Volume 1, Part 3 By Govind Chandra Pande, Project of History of Indian Science, Philosophy, and Culture, Centre for Studies in Civilizations (Delhi, India) p.231,252
  8. "Vietnam". International Religious Freedom Report 2004. U.S. Department of State: Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor. 2002-10-22. Retrieved 2010-05-19.
  9. "TỔNG CỤC THỐNG KÊ VIỆT NAM" (PDF). gso.gov.vn (in Vietnamese). Retrieved 2022-12-05.
  10. Champa and the archaeology of Mỹ Sơn (Vietnam) By Andrew Hardy, Mauro Cucarzi, Patrizia Zolese p.105
  11. Roy, Sandip (19 May 2017). "Leaps of faith". @businessline.
  12. Reporter, W. H. N. (13 October 2018). "Exhibition on Vietnam Hindu Cham Brahman Community Opens".
  13. "Kate Festival". www.vietnamonline.com.
  14. http://www.gso.gov.vn/Modules/Doc_Download.aspx?DocID=12724
  15. http://www.gso.gov.vn/Modules/Doc_Download.aspx?DocID=12724
  16. "Vietnam: country policy and information notes". GOV.UK.
  17. "Hindus of Vietnam - Hindu Human Rights Online News Magazine". Hindu Human Rights Online News Magazine. 19 October 2012.
  18. Arachika Kapoor (2017-03-01). "Ho Chi Minh City Tourism holds roadshow in New Delhi | Media India Group". Mediaindia.eu. Retrieved 2018-12-16.
  19. Powell, Michael (26 May 2017). "Three Hindu Temples in Saigon".
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