The Hoa Hao was a powerful religious, political, and military force during the war years. The prophet's death at the hands of the Viet Minh appears to be at the heart of abiding anti-communist sentiment among many, if not most, sect believers. Vigorously anti-Viet Cong during the American War, the Hoa Hao has probably been the most supressed of all Vietnam's official religions since the Communist victory in 1975. Hanoi appeared to extend an olive branch of sorts to the Hoa Hao last year when it allowed the sect to hold its first congress since the war. The board does include pre-1975 Hoa Hao elders, but Liem andothers maintain the committee is a hoax.
Freedom of religion is enshrined in Vietnam's constitution.
Nguyen Van Luong, head of organization and personnel for the government-sanctioned Hoa Hao board, said it was just a rumour that the Viet Minh executed Huynh Phu So. He is still alive as a Buddha.