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(December 12, 2025) – Mr. Pham Dung, Head of the Representative Office of the Medisch Comité Nederland – Vietnam (MCNV) organization, and Mr. Thai Huu Lieu, Deputy Director of the Department of Foreign Affairs of Quang Tri province, chaired the signing ceremony of the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) regarding the implementation of the project “Promoting Sustainable Livelihoods to Improve Food Security for Poor Ethnic Minority Women in Quang Tri Province.”

Representatives of MCNV and Quang Tri provincial Department of Foreign Affairs at the signing ceremony.

The project has an estimated budget of 600,000 EUR and a duration of 36 months. It will focus on improving income and job opportunities for poor ethnic minority women in the two communes of Huong Lap and Huong Phung, thereby contributing to the reduction of food insecurity among poor women and ethnic minority children in the two project communes.

The main activities of the project include:

• Enhancing knowledge and skills for women in developing agricultural and non-agricultural production models.
• Promoting sustainable livelihoods based on non-timber forest products.
• Improving access to high-nutrition and safe food sources.

Speaking at the signing ceremony, Mr. Pham Dung, MCNV Chief of Representative Office in Vietnam, affirmed that Quang Tri is one of the localities with the longest and most enduring cooperation relationship with MCNV in Vietnam. He also shared MCNV’s priority directions for the coming period. Accordingly, MCNV will focus on supporting the development of effective livelihood models for women in ethnic minority regions, aligned with the requirements for sustainable development, climate change adaptation, and promoting the community’s role in managing indigenous resources.

Deputy Director of the Department of Foreign Affairs of Quang Tri province, Mr.Thai Huu Lieu, showed appreciation to MCNV for the organization’s unwavering support to Quang Tri province. He expressed confidence that the project activities will help improve food security and contribute to enhancing the quality of life for ethnic minority communities, especially poor women in the mountainous areas of Quang Tri province.

Following the signing ceremony, MCNV will continue to coordinate with in-charge divisions of the Department of Foreign Affairs and relevant provincial agencies to finalize the Project Document for official approval from the competent authorities as regulated, and simultaneously prepare for implementation immediately after the Project is approved./.

Hue City, November 18, 2025 – The Medisch Comité Nederland – Vietnam (MCNV), in collaboration with the Hue City Social Protection Center (SPC), held a Handover Ceremony of Rehabilitation Equipment to the Center.

Mr.Pham Dung, MCNV Chief of Representative Office, hands over the donation to Mr.Ngo Duy Binh, Director of Hue SPC.

­This activity is carried out within the framework of the Master Project “Improving the Quality of Life of Persons with disabilities in provinces heavily sprayed with Agent Orange” – (Inclusion Project) – Inclusion 1 Project Component.

The event was attended by Mr.Ho Quang Minh, Head of the Social Protection Office, Hue City Department of Health; Mr.Pham Dung, MCNV Chief of Representative Office, Mr.Ngo Duy Binh, Director of Hue City SPC and related agencies.

Testing a multi-functional medical bed.

The equipment package donated by Inclusion 1 Proj­­­ect to the Hue City SPC includes 10 treadmills, 10 exercise bikes, 05 multi-functional medical beds, and 05 sets of multi-functional rehabilitation exercise equipment, with a total value of approximately US$ 18,900 (482,000,000 VND).

The Hue City SPC currently provides rehabilitation for 500 persons with neuropsychiatric disabilities. The rehabilitation equipment supported by the Inclusion 1 Project will contribute to improving the quality of rehabilitation services and promoting social inclusion for the Center’s beneficiaries.

The Hue City SPC currently provides rehabilitation for 500 persons with neuropsychiatric disabilities.

The Inclusion 1 Project is funded by the U.S. Government and owned by the National Action Center for Toxic Chemicals and Environmental Treatment. The Center for Creative Initiatives in Health and Population is the managing partner. MCNV is one of the implementing partners responsible for providing rehabilitation services and professional capacity building of healthworkers on rehabilitation.

The project is implemented over five years, from 2022 to 2026, in Quang Tri Province, Hue City, and Da Nang City with the overall objective of improving the quality of life of persons with disabilities in provinces heavily sprayed with Agent Orange.

The Project has four objectives (1) To expand health and rehabilitation services to improve health status and quality of life of persons with disabilities; (2) To expand care and social services for persons with disabilities; (3) To improve policies and raising awareness, improving public attitudes and ensuring social inclusion of persons with disabilities;(4) To enhance the capacity for managing, implementing, and delivering support services for persons with disabilities at all levels.

As of the end of October 2025, the Inclusion 1/Project – MCNV component has provided rehabilitation and care services to about 2,500 persons with disabilities; trained 650 times of healthcare workers in professional rehabilitation techniques, and supported capacity building for 27 health facilities./.

In recognition for MCNV’s significant contribution to Vietnam, the organization has been honored with a prestigious Certificate of Merit from the Prime Minister. The award, presented on the 80th anniversary of Vietnam’s National Day (September 2, 2025), places MCNV among a group of eight international NGOs to receive this prestigious award.

(Video made from photos contributed by the Economics and Urban News/Action Aid)

The award was presented at a special event titled “Meeting and Tribute to International Friends,” co-hosted by the Vietnam Union of Friendship Organizations (VUFO) and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The ceremony drew over 100 distinguished guests, including several government officials: Mr. Do Van Chien, Politburo member, Secretary of the Party Central Committee, and President of the Vietnam Fatherland Front Central Committee; Mr. Le Hoai Trung, Secretary of the Party Central Committee, Acting Minister of Foreign Affairs; and Mr. Phan Anh Son, President of the VUFO.

Government Officials and representatives of international NGOs and individual friends at the ceremony. Photo: Quang Vinh/Tien Phong News

In his speech, Mr. Do Van Chien reflected on the vital role of international support in Vietnam’s history, noting, “During the period of national reconstruction, our international friends helped us build numerous infrastructure projects, including factories, schools, and hospitals, making a positive contribution to Vietnam’s development.”

The Certificate of Merit presented to MCNV recognizes the substantial contribution of the organization to Vietnam through different periods, from the struggle for national independence and reunification to the country’s current path of sustainable development and global integration.

The Certificate of Merit from the Prime Minister is a testament to our contributions over a significant part of Vietnam’s 80-year journey which we’ve been a part of since 1968. This recognition inspires us to strengthen our commitment to Vietnam even further.

Mr.Do Van Chien, President of the Vietnam Fatherland Front Central Committee, delivers his speech. Photo: VUFO.

On this occasion, MCNV would like to express our sincere gratitude to the Government of Vietnam, ministries, agencies, local authorities, partners, and especially the people of Vietnam, and the people of Vietnam for their trust and collaboration in over 57 years.

Let’s celebrate this milestone of MCNV via this video attached which highlighted the ceremony and in particular, the Certificate of Merit, which prominently features our full, original name: Medisch Comité Nederland – Vietnam.

MCNV’ s accomplishments would not have been possible without the tireless dedication of thousands of MCNV’s cherished colleagues and friends. Whether you are currently with MCNV or were a part of our journey in the past, your contributions are an inseparable and eternal part of our endeavors and a continuous source of inspiration for our future.

Once again, we extend our heartfelt gratitude for your contributions, your attention, and the inspiration you provide to MCNV. We wish you all the very best and look forward to sharing with you more positive news in the time to come!

On this occasion, let’s look at some of the key contribution of MCNV to Vietnam since 1968:

• 1968-1975: Emergency aid:

• 1977: Construction of the first General Hospital for Quang Tri:

• 1980s: National-scale tuberculosis and malaria prevention program.

•   1990s – Present: Social Inclusion, Health Development, Climate Change Adaptation, Livelihoods and Value Chain Development

Social Inclusion & Health Development:

Home-based Multidisciplinary Rehabilitation

Providing orthosis device to person with disability

Livelihoods and Value Chain Development & Climate Change Adaptation

Mushroom plantation to generate income for poor women

Indigenous tree (tung tree) plantation.

Bamboo straw making – livelihood for people of ethnic minorities.

Disaster Relief Support:

On August 26, 2025, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs hosted a conference in Hanoi to meet with international non-governmental organizations (INGOs) operating in Vietnam. The conference, themed “Connecting Localities with INGOs for Vietnam’s Sustainable Development,” was attended by more than 100 delegates representing central and local government agencies, along with nearly 60 INGOs active in the country.

Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Ngo Le Van poses with conference delegates for a group photo. Photo Credit: The World and Vietnam News

This event was part of a series of activities celebrating the 80th anniversary of Vietnam’s diplomatic sector (August 28, 1945 – August 28, 2025). Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Chairman of the Committee for INGO Affairs (COMINGO), Mr. Ngo Le Van,  chaired the conference.

In his opening remarks, Deputy Minister Ngo Le Van praised the vital role INGOs play in promoting sustainable development in local communities and expressed deep appreciation for their long-termand contributions. He also shared his hope that the conference would generate new ideas for cooperation between INGOs and local governments. He highlighted three key priority areas for collaboration: digital and high technology transition, the green and circular economy, and holistic human and social development.

The event was chaired by Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and Chairman of the Committee for Foreign NGOs Affairs, Mr. Ngo Le Van. Photo: MCNV

The Deputy Minister affirmed the commitment of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, COMINGO, and other government agencies to create the most favorable conditions for INGOs operating in Vietnam. He expressed confidence that “the road ahead will be filled with many successful partnerships, contributing to Vietnam’s prosperous development.”

The conference also featured two specialized discussion sessions, which were respectively titled “Orientation and Assessment of Localities’ Needs for INGO Assistance in addressing Social Issues in the New Context,” and “Orientation and Assessment of Localities’ Needs for INGO Assistance in promoting Sustainable Economic Development in the New Context.”

(From the left) Representatives from the Department of Foreign Affairs of Cao Bang, MCNV, the Norwegian People’s Aid participate in Thematic Discussion Session 1.

Representatives from Tuyen Quang, Cao Bang, and Dong Nai provinces, along with several INGOs—including MCNV, Norwegian People’s Aid Vietnam, Save the Children International, Worldwide Fund for Nature Vietnam, ICRAF Vietnam, ActionAid Vietnam, and World Vision International—participated in the discussions.

During these sessions, local representatives candidly presented their urgent needs, such as developing healthcare, education, human resource training, and climate change response support. They also expressed a strong desire to collaborate closely with INGOs to build sustainable development models. In turn, INGO representatives commended Vietnam’s efforts to improve the cooperative environment and facilitate their projects. The organizations reaffirmed their commitment to continue supporting Vietnam in various priority sectors and proposed several solutions to enhance operational efficiency in the coming period./.