In recent years, NGOs or Non-governmental Organizations in Vietnam (Tổ chức Phi Chính phủ) have been growing to provide more than just material help for the need but also the transfer of experience and technology know-how.
Types of NGOs in Vietnam
One of Vietnam’s main focuses as a developing country is raising the living standards of people in poverty and building sustainable development. The joining of NGOs in Vietnam, both national and international entities, has made several efforts to increase the level of education and improve social welfare.
NGOs also help in Vietnam in many forms, from humanitarian acts to environmental, social, and economic activities. While some of them still provide instant relief for problems such as natural disasters, damage, and famine, most aim for the long-term growth of the country through actions such as protecting children’s rights and the environment.
List of Some NGOs in Vietnam
Social and Humanitarian Issues
*Areas of work: Emergency reliefs, post-war and disaster aid, first aid, social welfare (homes and shelter, water sanitation), social security (employment, vocational training), human rights, women’s rights
Vietnam Red Cross Society
82 Nguyen Du, Hai Ba Trung District, Hanoi
Website: http://www.redcross.org.vn
International Labor Organization of Vietnam
48-50 Nguyen Thai Hoc, Ba Dinh District, Hanoi
Website: https://www.ilo.org/hanoi/lang–en/index.htm
Habitat for Humanity Vietnam
53/10 Tran Khanh Du, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City
Website: http://habitatvietnam.org/
Oxfam
22 Le Dai Hanh, Hai Ba Trung District, Hanoi
Website: https://vietnam.oxfam.org/
Maison Chance
19A, Duong So 1 (Street), Khu Pho 9 (Neighborhood), Binh Hung Hoa A Ward, Binh Tan District, Ho Chi Minh City
Website: https://www.maison-chance.org/maison-chance/
Health NGOs in Vietnam
*Areas of work: Increasing access to high-quality health services, supporting a sustainable system for public health and securities, and managing diseases.
World Health Organization Vietnam
304 Kim Ma, Ba Dinh District, Hanoi
Website: http://www.wpro.who.int/vietnam/about/en/
Operation Smile Vietnam (cleft lip and cleft palate surgery)
16 Ngo Quyen, Hoan Kiem District, Hanoi
5th floor, Hung Vuong Plaza, 126 Hung Vuong, District 5, Ho Chi Minh City
Website: http://www.operationsmile.org.vn/
DKT International Vietnam (HIV/AID prevention)
Unit 5B, 6th floor, Indochina Plaza, 241 Xuan Thuy, Cau Giay District, Hanoi
Website: http://www.dktvietnam.org
Helen Keller International Vietnam (eye health)
Suite 305-306, A2, Ngoai Giao Doan Van Phuc, 298 Kim Ma, Ba Dinh District, Hanoi
Website: https://www.hki.org/
Children Welfare NGOs in Vietnam
*Areas of work: Child’s rights, Child protection (against exploitation and violence), Child survival (through nutrition and disaster prevention), Child education (increasing learning outcomes and assisting the disadvantaged and disabilities), etc.
United Nations Children’s Fund Vietnam
304 Kim Ma, Ba Dinh District, Hanoi
Website: https://www.unicef.org/vietnam/
Save the Children
Mercury Building, 4th floor, 444 Hoang Hoa Tham, Tay Ho District, Hanoi
Website: https://vietnam.savethechildren.net/
Environmental NGOs in Vietnam
*Area of work: protect rare species, protect vulnerable communities against climate change, support sustainable development and solutions such as green business.
World Wildlife Fund Vietnam
18/6 Nguyen Co Thach, nam Tu Liem District, Hanoi
Website: http://vietnam.panda.org/en/
For more information about international NGOs in Vietnam, visit the VUFO-NGO Resource Center
Operation of NGOs in Vietnam
After Doi Moi in 1989, a program to encourage the national economy and business to open more to the world, the number of international NGOs in Vietnam increased. The types of aid also started to diverge from financial and goods for the poverty to humanitarian acts and other aspects of development. Therefore, in the 1992 Vietnamese Law, several decrees, circulars, and decisions were issued to regulate the activities of foreign NGOs in Vietnam.
The NGOs in Vietnam work on a non-profit (phi lợi nhuận) base but still have to apply for permission to operate, establish project offices and representative offices, and be under the regulation of the Committee for Foreign NGO Affairs.
With many favorable conditions and regulations on how to use and tax aid, around 800 NGOs in Vietnam were established by 2010, and the value of aid was approximately 217 million USD in 2006.
Working with NGOs in Vietnam
Some of the foreign NGOs in Vietnam only have project offices, and they can move or close their offices when the projects are completed. Therefore, it is best to contact them through their website or go to the representative office in your country for more information. You can make donations or join volunteer work, but in any case, it is highly advisable to make contact in advance.