Vietnam

AVI was one of the first Australian agencies to send volunteers to Vietnam, beginning with the placement of English language teachers and Forest Management professionals through the volunteer program (now called AVID). AVID still remains the main volunteer sending program for AVI.

Since 2009, AVI has also managed short-term community development projects for Macquarie University students through the PACE Initiative.

Improved educational outcomes
Through the development of partnerships with educational authorities and institutions, AVI volunteers have made a considerable effort to help improve educational outcomes in Vietnam.  They continue to provide professional development, training opportunities for local teachers, and curriculum development in isolated provinces.

Support sustainable livelihoods
AVI volunteers work with local authorities and communities in rural areas, to increase their capacities in agricultural production and economic capability . Through training workshops, Australian volunteers are helping local community members to enhance their technical skills  in the strategic planning, of agricultural and environmental resources. Volunteers are also working with local communities to reduce the effects of climate change, by developing effective and suitable community-based disaster mitigation methods and finding ways to reduce gas and pollution emissions.

• North (Hanoi)
• Central (Hue, Danang and Hoi An)
• South Central (Quang Ngai and Nha Trang)
• The South (Ho Chi Minh City and the Mekong Delta)

• An Giang University http://www.agu.edu.vn/?q=en
• Centre for Family Support and Community Empowerment
• Towards Transparency www.transparency.org
• KOTO International
  http://www.koto.com.au/en/about-us/koto-international-
• Mekong Plus http://www.mekongplus.org
• REACH http://reach.org.vn/
• The Kianh Foundation http://www.kianh.org.uk/home/

Socio-economic
Rapid economic development in Vietnam has resulted in the reduction of poverty rate by 75 precent [1]. However, this reduction is unequal among populations, with 50 precent of the ethnic minorities still living below the poverty line [2]. In addition there is a widening gap in rural-urban income, as a majority of the poor population reside in rural areas.

Education
Vietnam has made a significant progress in education. The net enrolment rate in primary school in 2009 was 95.5 precent [3]. The difference between boys and girls in primary school net enrolment rates was as little as one precent [4]. However, the challenge of increasing gaps in access to education between various populations still exists. For example, school completion rates among ethnic minorities and girls remain relatively low and there remain shortages in skilled workers throughout the country.

Health
With Vietnam’s rapid growth has come improved health for its people. The under-five and infant mortality has been halved. Maternal mortality has declined considerably, from 233 per 100,000 live births in 1990 to 69 per 100,000 live births in 2009 [5]. However, these rates still remain high in the rural and ethnic communities.

Environment
Vietnam has made significant achievements in ensuring environmental sustainability. However, a number of challenges still exist. More than one million people in Vietnam are affected each year by natural disasters [6]. Differences exist in access to clean water between rural and urban areas. Along with this, air and water pollution, caused by rapid urbanisation and industrialisation, represent major problems.

Sources
[1] [2] [3] [4] [5] [6] http://www.undp.org.vn/mdgs/viet-nam-and-the-mdgs/