The paper outlines some contributions of Catholic people in the sociocultural area such as: social charity activities (including contributions in healthcare, education and others), cultural life building and social evil prevention, which have been conducted in our country for the past time. Recognizable achievements in the socio-cultural area show that Catholic people in Vietnam have contributed a significant part into building, defending and developing the country. | Vietnam Social Sciences, No. 2(160) - 2014 SOCIO-CULTURAL CONTRIBUTIONS OF CATHOLIC PEOPLE IN VIETNAM PHAM THANH HANG * Abstract: For the past years, Catholic people have been getting along well with the rest people of the country. Based on the viewpoint of “living for better life and better religion”, they actively participated in emulation movements. They carried out a lot of practical and effective activities, according to the idea of “traveling together with the nation and devoting life to happiness of the people” among Catholic communities in Vietnam. The paper outlines some contributions of Catholic people in the sociocultural area such as: social charity activities (including contributions in healthcare, education and others), cultural life building and social evil prevention, which have been conducted in our country for the past time. Recognizable achievements in the socio-cultural area show that Catholic people in Vietnam have contributed a significant part into building, defending and developing the country. At the same time, it is a clear evidence to illustrate the roles and responsibilities of Catholic people in conducting the “God-fearing and patriotic Catholic” movement and following the Common letter of Vietnamese Bishop Committee that advises Catholic people “to have a strong attachment to the nation and country. and to live evangelically inside the nation”. Key words: Catholic, Catholicism. Catholicism was initially introduced to Vietnam in the 16th century. It has been spread, therefore, in Vietnam for nearly 5 centuries (1533 – 2010) with the secondlargest number of believers (after that of Buddhist believers). The proportion of Catholic believers in Vietnam (compared to the whole population) is ranked the third in Asia, after those in East Timor and the Philippines(1). Although Catholicism originated in the central Asia, it developed vigorously in Europe. Being a religion, of which the features were full of European culture and civilization,
