A female farmer in Hoang Su Phi has established a homestay for her family to server local and international visitors. | © @Helvetas/Nam Nguyen

Vietnam

Helvetas has successfully completed many projects in agriculture, local governance and water supply. Together with our partner organizations, we roll out projects fostering the trade of sustainably sourced natural ingredients, piloting circular economy in agricultural value chains, and supporting sustainable tourism development.
© @Helvetas/Nam Nguyen
  • Capital
    Hanoi
  • Area
    330,967 km²
  • Poverty rate*
    2% of the population live under the poverty line of $1.90 per day
  • UN DEVELOPMENT INDEX*
    Rank: 115 out of 191
  • Population
    98,186,856
  • People supported per year
    25,303
  • Thematic focus
    Voice, Inclusion & Cohesion
    Private Sector Development
* Source: UN Data

Helvetas has been active in Vietnam since 1994. We have advised farmers and provided access to local and international markets, improved drinking water supplies and established hygiene standards. Together with our partner Center for Rural Economy Development (CRED), we have set up models of low-impact and community-based tourism in northern Vietnam. 

We have advocated for the rights of disadvantaged ethnic minorities in the highlands. Responding to the rapidly changing context in Vietnam, Helvetas has shifted to more meso-level interventions, in particular by working with the private sector for sustainable and fair value chain development.

Sustainable cultivation of medicinal plants and fair marketing of products

Helvetas has pioneered the development of BioTrade products in Vietnam for national, regional and international markets. Vietnam possesses a wide range of plants containing substances much in demand for the production of pharmaceutical and cosmetic products or for the food industry (e.g. tea, cinnamon and anise). Key partners are small and medium Vietnamese enterprises that aim at developing sustainable business models and processes.

Helvetas advocates for the protection and sustainable use of this botanical diversity and is helping Vietnam establish itself as an international supplier of natural products that adhere to BioTrade standards. We advocate for fair prices and secure access to land and natural resources for small farmers and fair pay for everyone in the supply chain. We ensure that women and ethnic minorities can participate in this development. We support capacity building and export promotion, connecting Vietnamese exporters to foreign importers in the wood sector and value-added textiles, other commodities will also be added in the near future.

Building capacities for sustainable economic development

Agriculture and food markets have expanded rapidly in Asia and the Pacific Region in the past decades. But the local rural advisory services often don’t have sufficient expertise in value chains to ensure that the development is socially and environmentally sustainable.  

With a still vivid demography and a rapid urbanization across the whole of Asia, Vietnam also faces some challenges in addressing a rapid urbanization. Helvetas Vietnam engages besides local governments to foster their capacities in making cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable (SDG 11).

Visit the website of Helvetas Vietnam.

Our Projects in Vietnam

 If you would like to know more about our work in Vietnam, click on each project for details.

© Helvetas
Vietnam Private Sector Development

Fighting Poverty with Responsible Tourism

Vietnam_Biotrade_Woman | © Helvetas
Vietnam, Laos, Myanmar Private Sector Development

Ethical Trade in Botanicals

Vietnam, Bangladesh, Myanmar, Laos, India Partnership & Capacity Development

Value Chain Capacity Building Network

© Helvetas
Vietnam Private Sector Development

Swiss Import Promotion Program

© Helvetas
Vietnam Voice, Inclusion & Cohesion

Strengthening Land Rights of Ethnic Minorities

Vietnam Private Sector Development

Conservation-Friendly Enterprise Development

Vietnam Sustainable and Inclusive Economies

Circular Economy Cocoa: From Bean to Bar

Banana trunks | © Helvetas Germany & CRED
Vietnam Sustainable and Inclusive Economies

Economic opportunities

Private Sector Development

Youth need access to reliable, fairly paid jobs to break the cycle of poverty. Helvetas creates partnerships and promotes policies that build more inclusive economies.

Climate & Disaster Resilience

Every year, we support over 1,000,000 people in adapting to climate change, reducing the risks of disasters, sustainably managing natural resources, and conserving nature.

Voice, Inclusion & Cohesion

In many countries where we work, men and women are unable to claim their rights and participate actively in decision-making processes.
Contact

HELVETAS VIETNAM
Vietnam
Van Phuc Diplomatic Quarters
298F Kim Ma Street
Hanoi (RO)
Vietnam

Phone:+84 24 3843 17 50
Fax:+84 24 3843 17 44
E-Mail: helvetas.vietnam@helvetas.org