20 Peace Corps volunteers in Vietnam participated in the swearing-in ceremony in Hanoi on December 18, 2024. Photo by the US Embassy in Hanoi.
This follows the 2020 Implementing Agreement between the US and Vietnamese governments, with the Peace Corps and the Ministry of Education and Training (MOET) serving as the implementing partners.
Speaking about the programme on September 18, US Ambassador Knapper congratulated the Ministry of Education and Training and Peace Corps for completing the first programme evaluation and preparing for the renewal of the Implementing Agreement between the two governments in July next year.
“This new generation of Peace Corps Volunteers will contribute to this shared vision, building bridges and understanding between our two countries,” he stated.
The US volunteers will collaborate with local teachers to improve Vietnamese students’ English skills, creating greater access to educational and employment opportunities over the next two years.
Immediately after their arrival in October this year, the volunteers began a comprehensive 10-week training programme which includes Vietnamese language classes, Teaching English as a Foreign Language (TEFL) sessions, and a practicum with local teachers.
From left to right: Mr. Pham Quang Hung, Director General of International Cooperation Department, Ministry of Education and Training, US Ambassador Marc Knapper and Peace Corps Vietnam Country Director Mikel Herrington marked the swearing-in with a ceremonial gong strike. Photo by the US Embassy in Hanoi
“As we enter a new chapter of Peace Corps Vietnam, we will continue to strive for peace and friendship. We are very excited to be given the opportunity to work alongside Vietnamese teachers in their efforts to improve the quality of English learning and teaching, but more importantly, we are very excited to learn from Vietnamese teachers and partners and we will also strive our best to contribute.”, said a volunteer.
This is the third group of volunteers to Vietnam. The first group of volunteers who arrived in 2022 have concluded their assignment after two years of service at high schools.