Habitat for Humanity VietnamujVietnam -- Habitat for Humanity Int'l 1
VIETNAM IS A COUNTRY of divine contrasts. The scene changes from the bustling and chaotic streets of Hanoi in the north, down 3,450 km. of coastline to tranquil rice paddies and tropical islands in the south. Its difficult past has not stopped Vietnam from developing into a dynamic modern economy, thanks to the tenacity and determination of the Vietnamese people.
The country has experienced significant economic growth in the past two decades as the country shifted to a market-style economy. A driving force for the future is Vietnam’s strongly motivated and educated population—the country boasts a 90 percent literacy rate.
Even though Vietnam is one of the world’s fastest growing economies, there are presently 4.6 million poor households, according to the government’s own statistics. Recent data show that 7,000 billion dong (about US$433 million) in financial support is needed for 700,000 households living in poor conditions.
Habitat’s work in Vietnam is undertaken through a branch office of Habitat for Humanity International that was established in October 2002. Currently, Habitat has projects in the southern provinces of Kien Giang, Tien Giang, Dong Nai and Ho Chi Minh City. In the north, it is active in Vinh Phuc province. Earlier Habitat had a small operation in the coastal city of Danang, where 20 families were assisted through 2004.
To meet pressing housing and development needs in Vietnam, Habitat has a five-year strategic plan that aims to serve 18,000 families by 2011. This is being achieved through a combination of approaches that include the provision of housing microfinance services, vocational and technical training, as well as technical support in shelter, water and sanitation projects. Through these, Habitat is helping to transform communities by improving health and well-being, engaging women in decision-making, and involving community and youth groups in promoting civic society.
—As of June 2008—
In March 2005, Habitat started a pilot project to reduce poverty levels in four districts of the southern province of Kien Giang. This initiative, with the help of the provincial authorities, extended existing microfinance networks so families could save and access credit for home improvements. The approach proved a speedy way to help hundreds of families. It is replicated in another pilot project in another southern province, Tien Giang, where more than 1,000 families are being provided with improved sanitation and housing.
Habitat has established a project office-and-resource center in the capital, Hanoi, to act as a catalyst for supporting new operations and partners in the north.
In 2007, Habitat began hosting volunteers, both from within Vietnam and overseas. Habitat is also working to attract support from locally-based multinational corporations, local microfinance institutions and government partners already working with the urban and rural poor.
HABITAT HIGHLIGHTS
• Habitat partnered with TYM Fund, a microfinance institution set up by the Vietnam Women’s Union, in the northern Vinh Phuc province to provide more than 170 families with housing microfinance loans for home improvements.
• Construction began in December 2008 on the first 12 houses and a vocational training center at Rainbow Village in Rach Gia, southern Kien Giang province. The project will provide new homes for 90 families currently living in a garbage dump.
• In 2008, seven teams of international build volunteers helped 14 families have new homes as did corporate teams from the local operations of ConocoPhillips, Dow, Swire, Moneygram and Ascendas.
• With the help of two university interns, HFH Vietnam has undertaken an urban mapping exercise to determine housing, water and sanitation needs in nearly all districts of Ho Chi Minh City.
• In mid-2007, a volunteer team from Sozo Café in Ho Chi Minh City built two love houses in southern Tien Giang province.
• In December 2007, 11 executives from Holcim (Cement) Ltd in Ho Chi Minh City made interlocking compressed earth blocks in Kien Luong district, Kien Giang province, and used the blocks in constructing a new house.
COUNTRY FACTS
Population: 86.1 million (est. July 2008)
Capital: Hanoi
Area: 329,560 sq. km.
Ethnic groups: Kinh (Viet) 86.2%, Tay 1.9%, Thai 1.7%, Muong 1.5%, Khome 1.4%, Hoa 1.1%, Nun 1.1%, Hmong 1%, others 4.1% (1999 census)
Languages: Vietnamese (official), English, French, Chinese, and Khmer; mountain area languages (Mon-Khmer and Malayo-Polynesian)
Religions: Buddhist 9.3%, Catholic 6.7%, Hoa Hao 1.5%, Cao Dai 1.1%, Protestant 0.5%, Muslim 0.1%, none 80.8% (1999 census)
Updated January 2009
|