The second cohort of U.S. Peace Corps volunteers arrived in Hanoi on October 24 to further support the Ministry of Education and Training’s (MOET) national priorities for English Language Education and meet bilateral commitment to education and training cooperation under the U.S. – Vietnam Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, according to the US Embassy in Hanoi.

The volunteers will work alongside local teachers in Ho Chi Minh City, starting in January 2024, to co-teach English classes to help Vietnamese students develop their English skills to access studying and employment opportunities.

Peace Corps Vietnam fully aligns with MOET’s objectives and is enabled by the Implementing Agreement signed in 2020 between the U.S. and Vietnamese governments with Peace Corps and the Ministry of Education and Training as Implementing Entities.

“The geographic expansion of the program to Ho Chi Minh City aligns with the international agreement enacted by the two countries and heralds continued goodwill as Peace Corps builds relationships and trust with our partners,” says Mikel Herrington, Peace Corps Vietnam Country Director.

“During and after their service, the volunteers will share their appreciation for the Vietnamese people with friends and family at home. Peace Corps Volunteers are contributing to the people-to-people relationships and the long-term prosperity goals highlighted in the recently announced Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between our two nations,” he added.

For the next 10 weeks, the volunteers will participate in extensive training to strengthen the knowledge and skills necessary to adapt to the local context and work effectively in Vietnam’s educational system. 

They will attend Vietnamese language classes, sessions on Teaching English as a Foreign Language (TEFL), gain familiarity with the school context, and practice co-teaching models with local teachers.

Only volunteers who successfully complete the training program will be sworn-in on December 28 and officially start their service afterwards.

Peace Corps Vietnam and its volunteers continue to promote bilateral relations and strengthen the connections between people from the two countries, says the US Embassy.

Currently, Peace Corps has nine volunteers serving in Hanoi.

Peace Corps is an independent agency under the Executive Branch of the US Government which operates a volunteer programme that aims to provide host governments with assistance in their development priorities. 

Since the Peace Corps was first established in 1961, over 240,000 Americans have served as volunteers in more than 142 countries. Vietnam is the 143rd country to invite and partner with the Peace Corps.

Source: VOV