379 foreign NGOs Actively Contributing to Viet Nam’s Sustainable Development
On December 4, 2025, Oxfam joined representatives from more than 300 foreign non-governmental organizations (NGOs) in Vietnam at the 5th International Conference on Cooperation between Vietnam and international NGOs, held under the theme of partnership for prosperous and sustainable development. The conference was organized by The Committee for Foreign non-governmental Organization Affairs (COMINGO) and the Vietnam Union of Friendship Organizations (VUFO).
The conference reviewed the results of cooperation between Viet Nam and foreign NGOs during the 2019–2025 period, identified priorities for the next five years, and discussed ways to improve aid effectiveness. It also put forward recommendations to the Government and the Prime Minister to further strengthen partnerships between Vietnam, foreign NGOs, donors, and international businesses.
Overview of the conference.
Photo: VUFO
As of November 30, 379 foreign NGOs are operating regularly in Viet Nam, with total aid for the 2020–2024 period amounting to nearly USD 1.14 billion. Their projects are implemented nationwide and focus on key areas such as healthcare, socio-economic development, social issues, education and training, natural resources and the environment, organizational capacity building, and legal assistance.
Speaking at the conference, Deputy Prime Minister Bui Thanh Son praised the long-standing and meaningful contributions of foreign NGOs and their partners to Viet Nam, particularly in healthcare, education, poverty reduction, community development, climate action, disaster response, protection of vulnerable groups, gender equality, and rural development.
“We value cooperation with foreign non-governmental organizations not only for their financial resources, but more importantly for the knowledge, international experience, creativity, human-centered values, and innovative approaches they bring to addressing community development challenges—qualities that not all forms of cooperation can offer. Cooperation between Viet Nam and foreign NGOs is therefore not merely complementary, but an indispensable part of the country’s national development strategy”, shared Deputy Prime Minister Bui Thanh Son at the conference.
Phan Anh Son, President of VUFO, emphasized that cooperation with foreign non-governmental organizations is an important component of Viet Nam’s overall foreign relations, and of its people-to-people diplomacy in particular. He noted that the significant achievements Viet Nam has made in poverty reduction and socio-economic development in recent years have been supported by contributions from friends around the world, including foreign NGOs.
For more than 30 years, Oxfam has worked alongside Viet Nam, implementing projects across the country in areas including humanitarian response, gender equality, good governance, sustainable livelihoods, and climate change adaptation.
As co-chair of the thematic workshop “Enhancing the Effectiveness of Cooperation between Vietnam and International Non-Governmental Organizations and the Participation of Businesses for Sustainable Development,” Pham Quang Tu, Deputy National Director of Oxfam in Vietnam, shared: “In recent years, international non-governmental organizations (INGOs) have worked closely with Vietnam, thereby contributing to poverty reduction and sustainable development, efforts that have been highly appreciated by the Government of Vietnam and the international community. In the coming period, within Vietnam’s new development context, INGOs need to continue strengthening diverse forms of cooperation with Vietnam’s stakeholders, including central ministries and agencies, local authorities, associations, sectors, research institutions, and social organizations. In particular, it is necessary to enhance information sharing, build trust, and engage in discussions and cooperation with the business sector. Through this, we can contribute to building a multi-stakeholder ecosystem for Vietnam’s prosperous and sustainable development”.
Sharing the concluding remarks from the thematic workshop “Promoting Green Economic Development, Circular Economy, and Sustainable Environmental Protection,” Nguyen Thu Huong, Senior Programme Manager - Governance, Oxfam in Vietnam, stated: “A green transition is only sustainable when it is a just transition. Policies and models for green transformation need to be designed based on participatory principles, with collaboration among communities, scientists, businesses, and local authorities, to co-create transformation models. These models need to be accessible; aligned with the capacities of people and small businesses; and ensure fair benefit-sharing. Vulnerable groups need to be guaranteed social protection, vocational training, and access to green jobs, as well as access to green financial resources and natural resources so that they can participate in the transition process—ensuring that no one is left behind”.
In remarks to the press on the sidelines of the conference, Oxfam highlighted the role of social organizations, including international NGOs, as vital connectors within the development ecosystem—helping to share experience and expertise while ensuring the participation, voices, and leadership of communities, especially those most vulnerable.