Vietnam has emerged as one of the most striking
economic success stories of recent years. Rapid economic growth combined with
direct government action to assist the poorest households and communities have
dramatically reduced the incidence of poverty and improved the living standards
of most Vietnamese people.
But despite dramatic economic progress in Vietnam over the last
ten years, a significant proportion of the population remains poor. Sustainable
results in rural poverty reduction will not be achieved unless a people-centred
rural development policy is designed and executed to enhance the access of the
rural population to productive assets in agriculture and off-farm employment.
Some 70 % of people live in rural areas and this situation will be maintained
for long, despite rapid urbanisation.
FAO started working in Vietnam in 1978. Since then FAO has
provided technical assistance and advice to the Government, and has been
involved in the implementation of some 400 projects in the areas of sustainable
agricultural development, food security and nutrition, forestry and fisheries.
For
further information contact:
FAO Representation in Viet Nam, No. 3 Nguyen Gia Thieu, Hanoi
Tel: (84-4) 9424208 Fax:
(84-4) 9423257 E-mail:
fao-vn@fao.org