Updated: March 2009
Vietnam
Overview | World Vision's history in Vietnam | World Vision in Vietnam today
OverviewThe republic of Vietnam lies along the eastern coast of Southeast Asia, forming an S-shape that extends 1,000 miles from the Chinese border in the north to the Gulf of Thailand in the south. Cambodia and Laos share the country’s western borders. At its narrowest point, Vietnam is only about 30 miles wide. Much of the land is rugged and densely forested, and the Red River Delta and Mekong River deltas contain rich soils that are highly suitable for cultivation. The tropical climate includes a monsoon season extending from May to October as well as frequent typhoons that cause flooding in the northern coastal areas. Natural resources include phosphates, coal, manganese, bauxite, chromate, oil, natural gas, forests, and hydropower.Vietnamese is the official language, but English, French, and Chinese are spoken, as well as local dialects. This country has one of the most homogeneous societies in Southeast Asia as nearly 90 percent of the people are ethnic Vietnamese. Of the 46 million people in the labor force, nearly 57 percent engage in agriculture. Chief agriculture outputs include rice, coffee, rubber, cotton, tea, pepper, soybeans, cashews, sugar cane, peanuts, bananas, poultry, and seafood. Logging and slash-and-burn agricultural practices have contributed to soil degradation and deforestation. Other environmental issues include water pollution, overfishing, contaminated potable water supplies, and urbanization. Thought to be more than 4,000 years old, Vietnam was originally occupied by nomadic Mongols from China and migrants from Indonesia. China ruled the nation for centuries until the Portuguese and French arrived. French domination during the 19th century absorbed the country, along with Cambodia and Laos, into the colony of French Indochina. Communist-led forces within Vietnam battled for independence after World War II, prompting the 1954 Geneva Agreement that divided the nation into North and South and ignited the 20-year Vietnam War. U.S. involvement in the Vietnam War ended and a peace settlement was signed in Paris in January 1973. |  |
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| Vietnam continues to be a one-party state ruled by the Vietnamese Communist Party. Vietnamese authorities have committed to economic liberalization and enacted structural reforms needed to modernize the economy and to produce more competitive, export-driven industries. The economy has shown improvement over the past decade, and there has been a reduction in the percentage of people living below the poverty line; it is now less than 20 percent. In addition, unemployment has dropped to less than five percent. Rapid population growth and overcrowded cities are problems the government has addressed by resettling millions of people into the sparsely inhabited mountains and upland plateaus. In January 2007, after a 20-year wait, Vietnam became a member of the World Trade Organization; this is hoped to provide not only a boost to the economy but help in ensuring the continuation of liberalizing reforms. Back to top World Vision’s history in VietnamWorld Vision’s involvement began in 1955 with a Pastors Conference held in Saigon. In 1960, the first child sponsorship project assisted children belonging to a pastor’s widow. Early programs included school assistance, support for 11 orphanages, and the opening of the New Life Baby Home in 1970 for malnourished and abandoned infants. Emergency relief included supplying wheelchairs and crutches to the wounded and food aid to refugees of the 1972 North Vietnamese offensive. An Education Training Center began in 1974 with specialized training of teachers, social workers, and public health nurses. Prior to 1975, World Vision was the only Christian organization providing daily interaction with people in hospitals, training centers, and military bases.In mid-April 1975, Saigon fell to North Vietnamese forces, and World Vision and other agencies were forced to terminate their programs. After ending its field work, World Vision continued to seek ways to assist the Vietnamese, especially refugees who were fleeing the country in boats. Projects from 1976 to 1985 included:
In 2007, World Vision began a new microenterprise program. By year’s end there were approximately 2,300 active borrowers, with an average loan size of $198. For every $1,000 loaned, an estimated five jobs are created or sustained, and the lives of more than 15 children are being improved. World Vision also responded to the needs of people living with HIV and AIDS, especially orphans and vulnerable children. Home-based caregivers made nearly 2,000 home visits, providing care and support. In addition 200 children received monthly nutritional assistance. Back to top World Vision in Vietnam todayWorld Vision is committed to partnering with the people of Vietnam to enhance their lives today and to help enact sustainable solutions for the future of their communities, families, and children. Currently, 51,768 children are registered in the World Vision sponsorship program. Several times this number of children and other family members benefit from World Vision activities. Of these registered children, many have World Vision sponsors in other countries. U.S. donors sponsor 5,150 girls and boys. In addition, World Vision operates 23 development programs, three of which are supported by U.S. donors. Highlights of these efforts include the following:
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