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.