Vietnam Field Support Services

The Field Support Services Project (FSSP) in Vietnam provides support to the Government of Canada's development assistance program in Vietnam. The aim of the FSSP is to provide access to local technical expertise to provide support with sector research and policy analysis on issues identified by the Global Affairs Canada (GAC) development assistance program. Technical Specialists also provide initiative level planning and monitoring, done through field visits, meetings, and review of project documents (e.g. project annual reports or annual workplans).

Additionally, the Vietnam FSSP provides financial, administrative and logistical support. The support from the FSSP helps to ensure that Canada's development assistance program in Vietnam remains relevant and effective.

The Vietnam FSSP is managed by WUSC · EUMC. To obtain additional information go to WUSC · EUMC .

Over the last 30 years, Vietnam has transitioned from one of the region's poorest countries to lower-middle-income country (LMIC) status, and has ambitions to reach upper-middle income country status by 2045. It continues to be one of the world's most open economies, vigorously embracing trade liberalization efforts, including ratifying the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) in 2019.

Vietnam's current development model, focussed on low-cost labour, and export-oriented / environmentally-intensive foreign direct investment (FDI), however, faces challenges with sustainability. Pockets of poverty remain. Ethnic minorities, small-holder farmers, migrant workers, the elderly and women are more likely to be poor and face discrimination. Vulnerability to climate change threatens development gains. In addition, Vietnam faces ongoing economic instability and a need to reform its financial sector to meet the demands of its evolving economy.

Canada's Feminist International Assistance Policy (FIAP)  concludes that supporting gender equality and the empowerment of women and girls is the best way to build a more peaceful, inclusive and prosperous world.  It calls for targeted investments, partnerships, innovation and advocacy efforts to close gender gaps and improve everyone's chance for success.

At the center of Canada's bilateral program in Vietnam is the objective to support FIAP's "Growth that Works for Everyone" Action Area, particularly through addressing barriers to women's economic empowerment and promoting sustainable economies. Through this lens, there is considerable potential to advance other FIAP action areas, including gender equality and women's economic empowerment, inclusive governance with a focus on economic rights and women in leadership positions, and climate change adaptation.

Canada has been a partner of Vietnam's development for over 25 years. Since 1990, Canada has contributed over $1.5 billion in development assistance through all channels to support Vietnam's development and poverty reduction efforts, closely aligned to Vietnam's strategic priorities. Canada and Vietnam have a trusting relationship on development cooperation, which has produced good results on poverty reduction and strengthened people-to-people links.

Read more about Canada's development assistance program in Vietnam on the Global Affairs Website. Canada's Development Assistance to Vietnam .

The Vietnam Field Support Services Project (FSSP) is implemented by, WUSC · EUMC, with funding support from the Government of Canada through Global Affairs Canada (GAC).