Vietnam - Faith Transforms a Village of Opium Addicts in Vietnam.

Driving along the zigzagging paved roads of Xinh Suoi Ho village in Lai Chau province, Vietnam, it's hard to imagine that the picturesque landscape of terraced rice fields and manicured vegetable gardens was once a poppy field. Pastor Hang A Sa describes it as a dark time in the Hmong village, as almost everyone was a drug addict.

“We were selling opium like we were selling chickens. No one was working in the fields because everyone was addicted. We had no food, just leaves from the jungle. People were fighting, it was a really messy time,” Pastor Sa said.

That included Sa's father, Hang Arung, who was an opium addict but still elected village chairman. Because he was a leader, the government gave him a radio so he could listen and stay informed about policy. But Rong couldn't understand Vietnamese. He only spoke Hmong, and the only radio programs he could listen to were missionary broadcasts for the Hmong people. Instead of communist ideology, Rong listened to God's Word every day.

“My father became the first believer after hearing the gospel. He wanted our family to accept Jesus,” Pastor Sa said.

Su admires her grandfather for standing firm in his faith during a time when Vietnam banned Christianity. When the police arrested him and beat him several times, threatening to kill him, he asked them, 'Why are you taking so long to kill me?' He wanted to meet Jesus. After a few days, the police told him to go home, saying, 'There is no food to feed you.

Rong obtained and read the Bible, which was passed from one family to another, and felt convicted to quit drugs and live a life that pleased God with the villagers.

Instead of opium, they planted orchids as a source of income. Most people could not read or write, but God gave the villagers wisdom to start several businesses.

Ten years later, Sin Suoi Ho village was recognized by the government as a top tourist destination, and in 2023, it was recognized by ASEAN as the best tourist attraction in Southeast Asia.

Sin Suoi Ho Village is now famous for its beauty, tranquility, and testimony of transformed lives.

CBN Vietnam operates a life school

to help disciple the children of Sin Suoi Ho village, teaching them English and various musical instruments. Vang Thai Hoa, a student at the Life School, says

“Through the Superbook, I learned that Jesus loves me, He died on the cross to save me, and He is my friend,” she said.

She believes that the God who has done wonders in Xinh Suoi Ho village can transform other villages and cities, and by extension, the entire nation of Vietnam.

Translated with DeepL.com (free version)

Psalm 96: 1-5

Sing to the LORD a new song; sing to the LORD, all the earth. Sing to the LORD, praise his name; proclaim his salvation day after day. Declare his glory among the nations, his marvelous deeds among all peoples. For great is the LORD and most worthy of praise; he is to be feared above all gods. For all the gods of the nations are idols, but the LORD made the heavens.

🙏 Pray for

1. Praise God for His great works in Vietnam, where the Christian Persecution Index ranks 25th in the world. May God's mighty works of saving the people of Xinh Xuoi Ho village from death due to opium addiction be heard throughout Vietnam, bringing hope to persecuted Christians. Let the churches in Vietnam overcome all fears and proclaim the gospel with a loud voice. Let Life Schools open in every village and every valley of Vietnam be filled with the sound of Your praise and worship.

2. Shake the land and expose the lies of all idols. Let the Buddhists, folk believers, and communists recognize the falseness and futility of their gods and beliefs and kneel before the name of Jesus Christ. Let the Vietnamese Church rise up as a holy army in ASEAN, carrying the gospel to the ends of the earth.