The Peace Corps has sworn in its fourth group of volunteers to Vietnam during a ceremony held in Hanoi, coinciding with the 30th anniversary of U.S.–Vietnam bilateral relations. This event marks a continued commitment by both nations to expand educational cooperation and foster people-to-people connections.
Earlier this year, the governments of Vietnam and the United States signed a five-year extension to their 2020 Implementing Agreement, which will allow the Peace Corps to remain active in Vietnam until 2030. The renewal supports ongoing efforts to enhance English education and collaboration between the Peace Corps and Vietnam’s Ministry of Education and Training (MOET).
U.S. Deputy Chief of Mission Courtney Beale addressed attendees at the ceremony. “With the extension of the agreement, we look forward to welcoming more Peace Corps Volunteers, like those sworn in today, and continuing to build bridges and promote mutual understanding between the people of our two countries,” said Beale.
Following their swearing-in, the new volunteers will begin two-year assignments at high schools across Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City. They will work closely with Vietnamese English teachers as part of MOET’s priorities for improving English language teaching and learning.
Peace Corps Vietnam Country Director Kim Mansaray expressed appreciation for support from Vietnamese authorities, schools, and local communities. “We are delighted to welcome this new group of Volunteers, who will work alongside Vietnamese teachers in local communities. The work you are about to begin goes far beyond individual achievement—it is grounded in service and collaboration. Your success as Volunteers would not be possible without the support of teachers, students, and community members,” said Mansaray.
Newly sworn-in volunteers shared their perspectives at the event. Erik stated: “The true journey begins here, now. These next two years will have challenges, but they will also be filled with many opportunities for growth, for discovery, and for friendships. We commit ourselves to service whole-heartedly to further deepen the ties between Vietnam and the United States.” Another volunteer, Summer, added: “Our duty here is not only to be good teachers, but to also learn from the communities here. We are grateful to be students of Vietnam, and we embrace the gift it is to learn and grow with those we meet in Vietnam. Vietnamese people have a saying ‘Muốn biết phải hỏi, muốn giỏi phải học’ (which means: If you want to know, you must ask; if you want to be good, you must learn).”
Representatives from MOET as well as other ministries attended alongside school leaders, U.S. Embassy officials, international organizations, volunteers themselves, and media representatives.
Since welcoming its first cohort in 2022—making Vietnam its 143rd partner country—the Peace Corps has had over 50 Americans serve on projects focused on English education within Vietnam.
Photos from the ceremony can be found at https://shorturl.at/oU3Ct
The Peace Corps operates under an independent agency within the Executive Branch of the U.S government. Established by President John F. Kennedy in 1961 with a mission centered on promoting world peace through development assistance abroad via trained American volunteers working collaboratively with host countries.