An annual report recently released by the US State Department, highlights the lack of religious freedom in Vietnam and other countries in the region.

The International Religious Freedom Report documented raids on Catholic churches, unregistered Buddhist temples and Bible study groups by Vietnamese authorities.

The report also noted the violence inflicted on religious groups, showing cases where church leaders were beaten by plain clothes police.

Others were detained or had their travel restricted due to religious activities.

The US State Department said religious groups not registered with the state were the most severely treated.

The report also noted harsh treatment of religious groups in China and Myanmar, where authorities harassed, arrested, detained and tortured a number of registered and unregistered religious groups.