Vietnam is a country of sublime natural beauty. From the Red River Delta in the north to the Mekong Delta in the South, the country is lined by serene beaches and filled with soaring mountains and dense misty forests. Anytime of the year is a good time to visit Vietnam. Whatever time of year it is there will be a choice of pleasant sunny weather or wet, cold or tremendously steamy weather. It is a place where culture and nature mesh in an astounding fashion. The natural conditions, such as the humidity, monsoons and water-rice agriculture exert a remarkable impact on the material and spiritual life of the country. A typical image many would recognize from Vietnam comes from the combination of this culture and nature; the women working in the brilliant green rice paddies wearing conical hats. Vietnam is made up of approximately 54 ethnic groups, many of which live in remote areas and follow their own language and cultural identity. This array of ethnic groups is also accompanied by a wide variety of religions, Buddhism being the principle religion of the country, while Taoist, Confucian, Hoa Hoa, Cao Daists, Muslims and Christian minorities also inhabit the breathtaking country.

Vietnam offers a varying feast for the eyes. Travelers have the choice of visiting the rural countryside or the bustling city scene, of which both offer an abundance of culture. One can also choose to relax on the beach, trek through the forest and mountains, or explore the surreal rock formations, sea cliffs and grottoes of Halong Bay. All of these choices can be accompanied by a treat for the pallet. Vietnamese dishes are exotic and extraordinary. Vietnam is not simply another country on the map; it is a full body mecca experience.

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Why Does Vietnam Need Volunteers?

Vietnam has made remarkable achievements in poverty alleviation and hunger eradication over the past three years, with the rate of poor households dropping from 17.18 percent to 11.86 percent or a reduction of 320,000 households a year. However there are still many reasons volunteers are appreciated and needed.

Vietnam is one of the most disaster-prone countries in the world. Close to 70 percent of its population is at risk of typhoons and torrential storms followed by flooding during the rainy season and periodic droughts during the dry season. Despite an abundance of water in certain areas, there is a lack of clean drinking water in general.

The average income of Vietnam is less than US $240 per person and according to the government more than 22% of the households are poor and hungry, which calculates being poor as families unable to purchase 13 kg of rice per person each month, and hungry as less than 8 kg. Women in Vietnam suffer disproportionately from poverty. They are employed mainly in agriculture; they earn less, work longer hours, suffer more health problems, and have lower education levels and less authority than their male counterparts have.

Ethnic minorities are also disproportionately at risk of poverty, representing 14% of the population but accounting for 29% of poor people. The regions in which they live feature the slowest economic growth and their proportion among Vietnam's poor is likely to rise to over one third by 2010.

The health care system in Vietnam deteriorated sharply in 1986 after doi moi, the partial privatization of the Vietnamese economic system was implemented. As the government reduced its budget, layoffs occurred in local clinics. Even as national gains were made in agricultural output, the rates of poverty and malnutrition increased dramatically. Things began to turn around in the 1990's and the per capita GDP doubled (from $US200 to $US400) and poverty levels were cut in half. Despite these gains around one third of the population, 28 million out of 83 million is still considered poor by international standards.

Vietnam is working hard to improve the lives of its citizens. Your contributions would be immediately beneficial and greatly appreciated. Help Volunteer Visions work with orphans in a children’s hospital or center for the blind and make a difference. Educating communities is the first step towards sustainability and a future where no outside assistance is needed.

Volunteer Projects in Vietnam