The graduation of the second cohort of Bachelor of Speech and Language Therapy students at Da Nang University of Medical Technology and Pharmacy in late May 2026 marks a sustainable advancement in building a high-quality workforce for this emerging field in Vietnam.

Developing Human Resources to Meet Real-World Needs

Speech and Language Therapy (SALT) is an applied health science that encompasses the assessment, diagnosis, habilitation, rehabilitation, consultation, and prevention of disorders related to speech, language, voice, fluency, cognition, and swallowing. These challenges often stem from developmental delays, injuries, stroke, cancer, or progressive neurological conditions. While SALT has been an established profession globally for nearly a century, it has only been formally recognized and developed in Vietnam over the past 15 years.

According to the 2023 National Survey on Persons with Disabilities conducted by the General Statistics Office, 6.11% of the Vietnamese population aged two and older—approximately 6.2 million people—live with at least one form of disability. An aging demographic alongside a rise in non-communicable diseases (such as stroke, dementia, and neurodegenerative conditions) has fueled a sharp increase in the demand for SALT services nationwide.
However, severe workforce shortages keep public access to these services significantly low. A survey conducted by the Medical Committee Netherlands – Vietnam (MCNV) in 2018 revealed that by late 2017, Vietnam had only around 65 trained professionals equipped with adequate knowledge and skills to provide SALT services.

Representatives of DUMTP, MCNV, TFA and AVI and the second cohort of Bachelor in SALT during the graduation ceremony on May 30, 2026.

To establish a formal academic pathway to train qualified SALT professionals, the “Developing Speech and Language Therapy Education in Vietnam” project was launched in 2017 by MCNV, with technical support from Trinh Foundation Australia (TFA), University of Medicine and Pharmacy (UMP) at HCM City, Hai Duong Medical Technical University, and Da Nang University of Medical Technology and Pharmacy. The project is funded by the U.S. Government and MCNV.
Since 2017, the project has supported the establishment of major degree code and completed two Master’s cohorts at UMP at HCM City, while also launching official Bachelor’s programs across all three partner universities. At Da Nang University of Medical Technology and Pharmacy (DUMTP), the Bachelor’s program began in 2019.
In May 2026, the second cohort of 16 students graduated. This milestone represents more than a growing workforce; it demonstrates the university’s expanding training capacity, standardized curriculum, and enhanced faculty expertise.

Ms.Luong Thi Cam Van (front row, third from right) and colleagues at the Evidence-based Swallowing Disorder Workshop Moving Toward Self-Reliance in Educator Workforce

While the first Bachelor’s cohort of DUMTP relied almost entirely on international specialists and external local educators, dependency on outside support has steadily decreased during the training of the second cohort.
The university has stepped toward instructional autonomy: four faculty members in the SALT Department (under the Faculty of Rehabilitation) who completed the project-sponsored Master’s degrees have returned to handle the majority of the teaching load. International and local experts now primarily step in to assist with advanced theoretical topics and specialized clinical placements.
Throughout the second cohort, the project continued to build faculty capacity through clinical mentoring, academic workshops with international experts, domestic and overseas conference travel grants, and specialized clinical supervision training.
“Through these initiatives, our faculty members have gained access to modern educational standards and continuous knowledge updates. The support of MCNV, TFA, and the Australian Volunteers Program (AVI) has been vital to refining our training program,” affirmed Ms. Luong Thi Cam Van (MSALT), Head of the SALT Department at DUMTP.
In addition to strengthening theoretical instruction, the project builds faculty independence and confidence in clinical supervision, hands-on teaching, and curriculum development.
Drawing on lessons from earlier cohorts, the curriculum was updated to emphasize practical application. The program increased clinical placement and expanded internships across diverse healthcare, educational, and rehabilitation facilities to give students broader exposure to various patient groups.

Students from the second BSALT cohort during a clinical practice session at the Da Nang Orthopedic and Rehabilitation Hospital, guided by Ms.Louise Fearon Brown – Australian SALT expert.

Clinical competency assessments have also been standardized to better reflect real-world professional requirements—more accurately evaluating clinical decision-making, communication skills, and graduate readiness.
“Our partners always respect the local context in Vietnam. They work closely with us to tailor the content to real-world needs rather than applying overseas models without adaptation. This ensures our program meets international standards while remaining directly applicable within Vietnam’s healthcare and education systems,” noted Ms. Cao Bich Thuy (Head of the Office of Science-Technology & International Cooperation, DUMTP).

Inspiring the Next Generation

An upgraded learning environment extensively empowers students to become dynamic, independent, and passionate in learning:
“The second cohort demonstrated impressive adaptability and a strong drive to learn. Many excel at self-study and sourcing recent scientific evidence—a crucial skill in a fast-evolving field like Speech and Language Therapy,” said Ms. Luong Thi Cam Van.
Reflecting on her journey, Ms.Huynh Thanh Nga (BSALT) shared: “What I valued most was the rich and realistic clinical exposure. Blending theoretical knowledge seamlessly with hands-on application gave me a solid skill set and sparked a true passion for this career.”
To Ms. Tran Van Thu (BSALT), direct patient interaction reinforced the core value of her chosen field: “Witnessing even small milestones—a child speaking his first word or an adult regaining communication skills—helps me feel the deep human value of SALT. That gives me endless motivation to keep growing in this profession.”

(From left) Ms.Huynh Thanh Nga and Ms.Tran Van Thu

Investing in People: The Foundation for Sustainable Development

According to Assoc. Prof. Dr. Le Thi Thuy, Rector of Da Nang University of Medical Technology and Pharmacy, the project has granted the institution access to advanced curricula and international best practices in teaching, student evaluation, clinical placements, and career development. Faculty members receive continuing training to advance their expertise and move toward complete autonomy in training future cohorts.
“DUMTP expects to expand its enrollment, elevate program quality, drive scientific research, and strengthen international partnerships to develop a top-tier SALT workforce for the nation,” Assoc. Prof. Dr. Le Thi Thuy emphasized.
“The train-the-trainer approach has been particularly important, ensuring that knowledge and skills are embedded within Vietnam rather than dependent on external input. Most importantly, we hope Vietnamese speech and language therapists continue to lead the future direction of the profession in ways that best meet the needs of their communities,” said Ms.Katie Walker-Smith, representative of TFA Board of Director.

QTO — For over 50 years, the Medisch Comité Nederland – Vietnam (MCNV) has left an indelible mark on Quang Tri through countlessly impactful projects. On the occasion of launching a new project to support women of ethnic minority in Huong Lap and Huong Phung communes, the Quang Tri Newspaper, Radio and Television conducts an interview with Mr. Pham Dung, Chief of MCNV Representative Office in Vietnam.

Women in Huong Phung commune receive training in sustainable forestry (supported by MCNV). Photo: MCNV

Empowering Women

Question (Q): Recently, a project titled “Promoting sustainable livelihoods to improve food security for poor ethnic minority women in Quang Tri province” (the PRO-POOR project) was launched by MCNV. Could you tell us more about this initiative?

Answer (A): The PRO-POOR project is funded by MCNV and implemented in partnership with the Quang Tri Department of Foreign Affairs. Spanning 36 months in Huong Lap and Huong Phung communes, it has a total budget of €600,000 (roughly 18 billion VND). Our goal is to improve livelihoods, boost incomes, and enhance food security for poor ethnic minority women—ultimately lifting the overall quality of life across Quang Tri’s mountainous communities.

Q: What inspired MCNV to put ethnic minority women at the heart of this project?

A: Ethnic minority women bear the heaviest burden of poverty, food insecurity, and climate change. Yet, they play a vital role in keeping family finances afloat and nourishing the next generation. Our field surveys in Huong Lap and Huong Phung showed that women are not only primary breadwinners, but they also carry the major share of household chores and caregiving duties.
Despite their critical role, they face steep hurdles in accessing capital, agricultural training, and market information, and they rarely have a seat at the table when key family or community decisions are made.
At MCNV, we firmly believe that investing in women is one of the most effective ways to break the cycle of poverty. When women gain the knowledge, skills, and resources to build sustainable livelihoods, they gain a stronger voice in financial decisions at home—leading to greater investment in their children’s health, education, and nutrition.
These positive changes don’t stop at the doorstep; they ripple across the whole community. That is why PRO-POOR aims to do more than just boost incomes—it strives to elevate women’s leadership, position, and influence in local economic development.

Decades of Steadfast Support

Q:PRO-POOR isn’t a standalone project; it’s a part of MCNV’s nearly 60-year journey with Quang Tri. Looking back, what stand out to you as MCNV’s most meaningful contributions?
A: For MCNV, PRO-POOR is not just a project—it is the hallmark of a relentless, 50-plus-year journey alongside Quang Tri.
MCNV was founded in 1968 by a group of Dutch doctors driven to provide medical relief to war-affected Vietnamese people. Our connection with Quang Tri officially began in 1974, marked by helping the province build its very first general hospital.
Since 1990, we have deepened this collaboration through a wide array of programs in healthcare, education, social inclusion, and community development. While we support communities as a whole, we prioritize vulnerable and marginalized groups—specifically persons with disabilities, people living in poverty, ethnic minorities, women, and children.
What truly defines MCNV’s work is our commitment to capacity building. We focus on passing down skills and empowering local leaders and communities, ensuring residents are actively involved in planning, implementing, and reviewing development activities. Thanks to this approach, many project models continue to thrive long after our project ends.
In recent years, MCNV has spearheaded several impactful programs in Quang Tri, such as the PROSPER project, which promotes sustainable forest management and builds strong partnerships among forest owners, local communities, and businesses.
Another vital initiative is the U.S. government-funded “Inclusion” project, designed to improve the quality of life for people with disabilities affected by Agent Orange. Beyond these, we actively run various programs aimed at building sustainable livelihoods and self-reliance in ethnic minority communities.
Q: Few people realize that most of MCNV’s long-standing funding doesn’t come from massive institutions, but from individual donations by ordinary Dutch citizens. What message does this humanitarian aid carry to the people of Quang Tri?
A: The backbone of MCNV’s work in Vietnam—and in Quang Tri specifically—comes from the generosity of thousands of Dutch people. Many of them have stood by MCNV since the wartime.
Some still donate 3 to 5 Euros every month out of their modest pensions. These contributions may seem small on paper, but sustained over generations, they represent an enormous well of goodwill toward hardship-stricken communities in Vietnam.
The message the Dutch people send to Quang Tri is simple: “Distance can never lessen human empathy.” They believe everyone deserves a chance to live a healthy life, earn a reliable living, and look forward to a better tomorrow. That shared belief has forged a bond between the kindhearted in the Netherlands and the people of Quang Tri for over half a century, and MCNV is deeply honored to be the bridge connecting them.

Being there for the most vulnerable

Q: Would you say the compassion of the Dutch people defines MCNV’s compass of action—to always be present in the toughest places and stand beside those who need it most?
A: Absolutely. MCNV doesn’t offer top-down fixes or quick relief solutions. Our goal is to transform the compassion of the Dutch people into lasting impact. We work hand-in-hand with local leaders and communities to build capacity, unlock internal potential, and create lasting, positive change.
People are at the center of everything we do, with priority always given to the most vulnerable: the poor, women, children, people with disabilities, and ethnic minorities. This is clear in our work across Quang Tri. We deliberately choose to focus on remote, mountainous areas where development opportunities are scarce and communities suffer most from poverty and climate change.
After more than 50 years, MCNV remains deeply committed to Quang Tri. We believe true sustainable development only happens when the most vulnerable among us have the opportunity to participate, benefit, and thrive alongside their community.
Q: As Quang Tri enters a new phase of growth with fresh challenges, how is MCNV preparing to support the province in the years ahead?
A: Moving forward, we are committed to staying the course with Quang Tri through two key priorities:
– Promoting sustainable, climate-resilient livelihoods: Helping local people—especially women and ethnic minorities—boost their income while safeguarding local natural resources, forests, and the environment.
– Investing in the people: Improving community nutrition, boosting local skill sets, advancing gender equity, and giving marginalized groups a stronger voice in the course of development. Alongside this, MCNV will continue tapping into new networks to bring fresh development opportunities to the region.
To MCNV, Quang Tri is far more than a project site—it is a lifelong partner. Having walked together for over 50 years, we are confident that this bond will grow even stronger as we build healthier, more prosperous, and resilient communities ready to face whatever the future holds./.

(Translated from original article: https://baoquangtri.vn/xa-hoi/202608/chia-khoa-cua-su-phat-trien-ben-vung-2f37269/ – Quang Tri News, Radio and Television).

On July 28, 2026, MCNV, in collaboration with the Department of Foreign Affairs of Quang Tri Province, organized a launch workshop for the project “Promoting Sustainable Livelihoods to Improve Food Security for Poor Ethnic Minority Women in Quang Tri” (referred to as the PRO-POOR Project).

Mr. Tran Ngoc Lan, Director of the Quang Tri Department of Foreign Affairs, opened the workshop. Photo: Mai Linh/Quang Tri Newspaper

The PRO-POOR Project is implemented in Huong Phung and Huong Lap communes—mountainous areas home to large ethnic minority populations (mainly the Bru – Van Kieu people) with very high rates of poor and near-poor households.

 Particularly in Huong Lap commune, ethnic minorities account for 98% of the population, with nearly 50% falling into poor and near-poor categories. Local livelihoods face numerous hardships due to harsh natural conditions and limited development resources.

Funded by MCNV with a total budget of 18 billion VND (~US$ 700,000) the project will run for 36 months. It focuses on helping ethnic minority women and their families develop sustainable livelihoods through agricultural and non-agricultural production and business models—creating jobs, boosting income, and ultimately improving food security.

Project support includes providing capital, crop varieties, and livestock breeds; technical training in farming and cultivation; and enhancing business management capacities while connecting producers to markets for stable product consumption. In addition to livelihood support, the project will implement interventions to improve access to food and proper nutrition practices for women and children in the project areas, aiming to reduce malnutrition among children under 5 years old across both communes.

Delegates at the launch workshop of the PRO-POOR project. Photo: Phan Tan Lam/MCNV

The project has set specific targets, including: at least 300 women will see their income increase by 20%, household dietary diversity scores will rise by 25%, the proportion of households reporting food shortages during the lean season will drop by 30%, and the rate of semi-boarding kindergarten children with access to nutritious school meals will reach 90%. Furthermore, around 1,000 people—mostly family members of the primary beneficiaries—will directly benefit from these activities.

Since its establishment in 1968 and across nearly six decades of operation, MCNV has implemented many impactful programs and projects promoting livelihoods, nutrition improvement, and sustainable development in disadvantaged areas of Quang Tri Province.

Recent examples include the project “Promoting Sustainable Partnership between CSOs and Enterprises for Sustainable Forest Management in the Context of Climate Change (PROSPER)” (funded by the European Union) and the “Ethnic Minority Community Development” project (funded by the Hulza Foundation) in Quang Tri.

Building on these successes, the PRO-POOR project reaffirms MCNV’s long-term commitment to supporting vulnerable communities, enhancing self-reliance, and building community resilience toward sustainable development./.