Three years ago, Thanh Tung, 47, in Hanoi, noticed unusual behavior from his wife. She frequently left the house, used her phone secretly, and avoided him. Upon investigation, he discovered she had joined a group called "Hoi thanh Duc Chua Troi Me" (Church of God Mother). In a message with a member, his wife, a sales employee, was advised that "there are many VIP clients there to invite for insurance purchases."

From then on, every morning and evening, she would enter a room, cover her head with a white scarf, and read scripture. She used an application with an auto-delete message feature and password-protected her phone. "She no longer cared about anything in the family, even skipping meals with her husband and children," Tung said.

She cut off communication with her in-laws. When her father passed away, she did not even mourn, bow, or perform traditional funeral rites.

Tung considered divorce but remained for the sake of his children. Recently, he discovered his sixth-grade daughter had also begun attending the group's gatherings and refused to eat ancestral offerings.

Tung's wife covers her head with a white scarf to read the group's scripture in the evening. Photo provided by interviewee

According to the Internal Security Department, Ministry of Public Security, the "Hoi thanh Duc Chua Troi Me" (Church of God Mother) began appearing in various localities from 2016-2017. Hundreds of people have joined this group. They call themselves "saints," preaching about an imminent "Judgment Day" to instill fear and encourage "followers" to abandon their studies and jobs, donate 10% of their income, destroy ancestral altars, reject their parents, and view outsiders as "demons."

In September 2023, the Ministry of Home Affairs issued a dispatch instructing localities to combat and dismantle the organizational aspects of the "Hoi thanh Duc Chua Troi Me" (Church of God Mother) in Vietnam. This included dissolving the group, revoking licenses, preventing its regrouping or formation of new activity hubs, and denying registration for operations in any form.

On 19/4, the Quang Tri Provincial Police announced they were investigating a "Hoi thanh Duc Chua Troi Me" (Church of God Mother) group suspected of property fraud and practicing superstition. This group used "doomsday" and "soul salvation" rhetoric to approach and manipulate participants' thoughts. Members were required to participate in group activities at locations called "Sion" and contribute 10% of their income with promises of "blessings." The group utilized 70 different recruitment scripts developed by its "general assembly" abroad.

Thu Lan, a second-year student in Hanoi, sought an online "mind development" course in mid-2025 after her parents' divorce. Initially, the course focused on gratitude. After paying for a higher level, Lan realized the lectures incorporated the group's doctrines.

She was told not to record, not to research information independently, and to lie to her family. The intense study schedule gradually exhausted Lan and made her emotionally dependent. She no longer had time for part-time work and lived in constant fear. "I was instilled with the belief that humans are always wrong, and only the organization holds the truth," she recounted.

Water samples used by the group's members were examined by authorities. Photo: Police provided

From a psychological perspective, Doctor Bui Thi Lien, from the People's Security Academy, stated that groups like the "Hoi thanh Duc Chua Troi Me" (Church of God Mother) often employ a three-step tactic, targeting victims' "spiritual voids."

Initially, they create dependency by showing care and praise, fostering a sense of belonging and emotional reliance. Once victims trust them, the group begins to isolate them from family and relatives, ensuring they find empathy only within the group.

Next, the group instills fear and guilt through threatening rhetoric about "spiritual consequences" if members do not obey. Concurrently, the group tightly controls information and activity schedules to create ideological dependence.

Finally, through sophistry and distorted interpretations, they gradually alter perceptions, leading participants to blindly trust and staunchly defend the organization.

Tran Van Nguyen, 24, in Hue, was once approached by a stranger who invited him for coffee when he was stressed with work. After building trust, Nguyen was invited to study the bible. When he refused to pay, ten people from the group came to persuade him. Nguyen recalled the group instructed him not to inform his family, not to read news, and forbade eating ancestral offerings or burning incense.

Witnessing many family conflicts, Nguyen researched information online and realized the organization was not licensed. After leaving the group, he reported receiving continuous threatening calls.

According to Doctor Bui Thi Lien, reacting with scolding, prohibition, or isolating relatives involved in extremist groups often backfires. "Those involved will feel even more misunderstood and more dependent on the group," she said.

Families need to maintain emotional connections, gently provide official information, and avoid directly attacking participants' beliefs. Simultaneously, they should encourage participation in healthy activities such as sports, tourism, and community events to reduce the time spent dependent on the group.

Quang Tri Police advise citizens to be cautious of groups that call for "changing lives" or "solving personal difficulties." Participating in activities or studying "doctrines" without understanding the organization's true nature can pose many risks.

If there are signs of being approached, individuals should share with trusted family members or friends to avoid isolation. If unusual behavior is detected, it is necessary to stop contact and avoid participating in group activities or communication channels to limit prolonged influence.

Groups that show signs of manipulation, psychological control, isolating participants from family, and demanding financial contributions often pose many dangers. In suspicious cases, citizens can report to authorities for assistance.

Tran Thanh, in Thanh Hoa, stated he tried every method mentioned above with his wife but could not get her to leave the group. From June 2024, his wife took their three children to activities and listened to sermons every evening. To isolate his wife, he confined her at home for six months.

"I couldn't change anything. My wife was like someone who had been brainwashed," he recounted. Powerless, he recently completed divorce proceedings.

*Names have been changed.

Song Nga