IFAD and Viet Nam Celebrate 30 Years of Partnership to Improve Rural Lives

Posted on 24th October 2023

Vice Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Tran Thanh Nam praised the long-standing collaboration between the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) and the Government of Viet Nam to transform rural lives and livelihoods in the country. At an event marking three decades of partnership, during which Viet Nam has achieved impressive economic development, he said, “IFAD’s long-standing collaboration with Viet Nam has been instrumental in driving sustainable development in rural areas. With IFAD’s support, we have seen remarkable improvement in agricultural productivity and poverty reduction, which has also empowered rural communities.”

IFAD Associate Vice President, Corporate Services Department, Guoqi Wu, was also present at the event. “IFAD’s commitment to Viet Nam extends beyond economic development,” he said. “Given Viet Nam’s vulnerability to climate change, we are prioritizing climate adaptation for small-scale farmers and engaging communities to adopt climate-informed approaches while equipping them with the necessary tools and knowledge. Our work has empowered rural women and young people, including those from ethnic minorities, fostering their active participation in sustainable development.”

Over the last 30 years, IFAD has supported over 16 projects in Viet Nam, mobilizing more than US$ 788 million in financing to improve the lives of 735,000-plus families. These projects focus on activities that have the greatest impact on residual poverty in rural areas, reflecting the emerging challenges and opportunities of a lower-middle-income country, a changing economic structure and growing urbanization.

“Our partnership with Viet Nam has been characterized by shared goals, mutual trust, and impactful interventions,” said Ambrosio Barros, IFAD Country Director for Viet Nam. “We’ve focused on market-led innovations, institutional and policy reform, and building capacities of local governments, farmers and rural people. We’re proud to have made significant strides in reducing poverty and enhancing livelihoods,” he added.

IFAD’s support has helped generate new jobs, increased incomes, and facilitated the formation of saving and credit groups, promoting financial inclusion and economic empowerment. Going forward, IFAD’s partnership with Viet Nam will focus on addressing the impacts of climate change and ensuring the full participation of marginalized groups, Wu noted. IFAD will continue on this journey with Viet Nam, leveraging and deepening this partnership to build a more equitable and sustainable future, leaving no one behind.

Representatives from various ministries of the government, the United Nations, international organizations, and development partners attended the event.

Currently, IFAD has invested US$ 86 million in Viet Nam, distributed across two ongoing projects implemented by Commercial Smallholder Support Project in Bac Kan and Cao Bang (CSSP) and Climate Smart Agricultural Value Chain Development in Ben Tre and Tra Vinh Provinces (CSAT).

Read more about IFAD’s work in Viet Nam