; 19 U.S.C. 4201 et seq.) which requires the Administration to take religious freedom into account when negotiating trade agreements. (2) Countries that protect religious freedom are more prosperous, stable, peaceful and democratic. Thus, the severe restrictions faced by religious groups in Vietnam, such as members of the United Buddhist Church of Vietnam (UBCV), Catholics, and independent Hao Hoa Buddhists, Cao Dai, and Protestants groups, are detrimental to the interests of both the United States and Vietnam. (3) Since 2016, the Government of Vietnam has reportedly stepped up its efforts to force Mon­ta­gnard and Hmong Christians to renounce their faith, expropriate lands and other real properties belonging to independent religious communities, destroy Hoa Hao Buddhist and Cao Dai houses of worship, and arrest and detain religious leaders. Religious leaders and advocates of religious freedom remain in prison. (b) Statement of policy Since the protection of religious freedom is vital to peace, stability, and prosperity and countries with the highest levels of restrictions on religious freedom are often those countries seeking to undermine United States national interests, it is the policy of the United States to prioritize religious freedom in bilateral relations, including with the Government of Vietnam, by fully implementing the provisions of the Frank R. Wolf International Religious Freedom Act ( Public Law 114–281 ) and to strategically employ sanctions and other tools under the International Religious Freedom Act of 1998 ( 22 U.S.C. 6401 et seq.). (c) Sense of Congress It is the sense of Congress that— (1) Vietnam should be designated as a country of particular concern for religious freedom under section 402(b) of the International Religious Freedom Act of 1998 ( 22 U.S.C. 6442(b) ) because there are a significant number of individuals imprisoned for their religious activity or advocacy for religious freedom and for systematic, egregious, and ongoing violations of religious freedom