Clinton is expected to press the communist leadership on human rights, including religious freedoms. Human Rights Watch, based in the United States, said last week that religious freedoms in Vietnam are still being sharply curtailed, and that more than 20 members of religious groups are being detained. Government curbs on religion in Vietnam have been a source of tension at home, and criticism around the world, since the communists took power after the war. At that time, the communist leaders either closed or imposed strict controls on places of worship, and sent many of Vietnam's religious leaders to reeducation camps. Although some religious leaders in Vietnam say the government's repression has eased in recent years, it has not been eliminated.
Severe restrictions remain in place in some areas.
In some instances, monks have been detained. The government has slowed dissident Buddhist monks from organizing relief efforts in flood-ravaged areas along the Mekong River Monk plans more aid deliveries On Monday, Thich Quang Do, a monk who had been held for providing relief to flood victims, said he had not been prevented the previous day from delivering aid. He said he planned distribute cash to flood victims on Wednesday. However, Do's supporters said they believed the government had eased a state ban on private relief efforts ahead of Clinton's visit. Vietnam's communist government requires all relief aid be channeled through one of three state-affiliated organizations.