Over the last 30 years, the U.S. Government has contributed more than $155 million in assistance to persons with disabilities in Vietnam. Since the establishment of the global Leahy War Victims Fund in 1989, the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) has worked to increase access to a wide variety of programs benefiting people with disabilities in conflict-affected countries worldwide. In Vietnam, U.S. assistance has addressed medical and social needs, improved disability policies, and reduced physical and social barriers. USAID is currently focused on providing services for persons with significant disabilities in areas heavily sprayed with Agent Orange during the U.S.-Vietnam war. This work contributes to both countries’ efforts to overcome war legacies and strengthen the bilateral partnership. 

IMPACT 

In Vietnam, USAID has improved the quality of life of one million persons with disabilities over the past three decades. In 2023, USAID provided direct support to over 26,000 persons with disabilities, improved rehabilitation and social services, strengthened policy and advocacy for disability rights, and strengthened the ability of local partners to sustain these efforts. 

PROJECTS 

• Advancing Medical Care and Rehabilitation Education partners with the Ministry of Health, hospitals, and medical schools to improve and expand availability of medical and rehabilitation services for persons with congenital brain defects and brain damage due to diseases, like stroke, or trauma in three provinces (Quang Tri, Hue, and Dong Nai), and with Bach Mai Hospital in Hanoi. [2015-2025, $10.37 million] 
• Disability Rights Enforcement, Coordination, and Therapies supports the enforcement of disability laws, improves the rehabilitation skills of health care professionals, and provides direct rehabilitation services to persons with disabilities in five provinces: Bac Lieu, Ca Mau, Tay Ninh, Binh Phuoc, and Dong Nai. [2015-2025, $14.8 million] 
• Raising Voices, Creating Opportunities II removes barriers to the inclusion of persons with disabilities by revising national disability policies, advocating for social equity, and improving physical accessibility to public infrastructure in Quang Tri, Thua Thien-Hue, and Quang Nam provinces. [2021-2024, $2 million] 
• INCLUSION partners with the Vietnamese government to provide direct rehabilitation and social assistance to persons with severe disabilities, improve and expand the rehabilitation service sector, and implement policies at the local level to increase access to services that facilitate social participation and independence of persons with disabilities in eight provinces heavily sprayed with Agent Orange: Quang Tri, Thua Thien-Hue, Quang Nam, Binh Dinh, Dong Nai, Binh Phuoc, Tay Ninh, and Kon Tum. [2021-2026, $65 million]

KEY GOVERNMENT OF VIETNAM PARTNERS

• Ministry of Labor, War Invalids and Social Affairs
• National Action Centre for Toxic Chemicals and Environmental Treatment (NACCET)

View some of our projects in action:

• Accessible Bus Launch Hue 2023
• USAID’s Disabilities Integration of Services and Therapies Network for Capacity and Treatment (DISTINCT) project photos
• USAID Provides Assistance to Persons with Disabilities Affected by Severe Flooding in Vietnam
• Signing of the Memorandum of Intent for New Partnership on Disabilities Assistance
• USAID Supports Rehabilitation Services in Binh Phuoc Province
• Some photos of USAID's Moving Without Limits Project
• Alumni of IT Training Program for Person with Disabilities gather to share experience
• U.S. Congressional delegation attends a wheelchairs and hearing aids distribution event in Danang
• USAID commemorates International Day of Persons with Disabilities 2013 in Danang
• USAID supports persons with disabilities
• USAID provides equipment and services to persons with disabilities in Danang
• IT Training Program at Dong A University
• Opening of Rehabilitation Department for Children at Danang Women's and Children's Hospital and Wheelchair Distribution in Danang
• IT Certificate Award Ceremony for students with disabilities at Van Lang University
• USAID-supported IT training for persons with disabilities expanded to Danang
• Launch of program for employment for persons with disabilities