Religious groups in Vietnam played a significant role in the development of anti-colonial sentiments because they offered spiritual guidance, promoted cultural preservation and even actively participated in resistance movements.
Religious institutions most particularly the Buddhism and Catholicism played pivotal roles in shaping the Vietnamese identity and resistance against colonial powers. Buddhism which was deeply ingrained in Vietnamese culture provided a source of spiritual solace and a platform for social activism.
Buddhist monks and nuns often spoke out against colonial injustices, advocating for the welfare of the Vietnamese people. Notably, the self-immolation of Thich Quang Duc in 1963 was a powerful protest against the oppressive policies of the South Vietnamese government, which had the support of the United States.
Catholicism as introduced by French missionaries during the colonial era had a more complex role. While some Vietnamese Catholics aligned with the French colonial regime, others, like Ngo Dinh Diem, played prominent roles in the anti-colonial and nationalist movements. The Catholic Church also provided education and social services, fostering a sense of community and resistance against colonial oppression.