Frequently Asked Questions about USAID and the USAID Mission in Vietnam

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Frequently Asked Questions about USAID and its Regional Development Mission for Asia

What is USAID?
The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) is the lead agency for the U.S. Government providing economic development and humanitarian assistance to people around the world. For more information, visit About USAID.

Which sectors does USAID focus on in Vietnam?
USAID/Vietnam’s programs help reduce the incidence of HIV/AIDS avian influenza, facilitate trade and economic development, provide support for persons with disabilities, and provide disaster assistance. See Programs for details.

Why do the U.S. Government and USAID provide assistance?
The United States has a long history of extending a helping hand people overseas who are struggling for a better life or recovering from disaster. It is this caring that stands as a hallmark of the United States and shows its character as a nation. U.S. foreign assistance has always had the two-fold purpose of furthering America's foreign policy interests while improving the lives of the citizens of the developing world.

Since 1961, USAID has provided substantial economic assistance to developing countries. Sometimes this aid is purely humanitarian in nature, such as aid for disaster relief and emergency food programs. In other instances, assistance is provided because of special historical or security relationships. But most often, economic assistance is just one element of U.S. relationships with developing countries – relationships that also include mutually beneficial trade and investment flows and educational and cultural exchanges.

USAID programs are financed by American taxpayers. Many Americans feel that the United States has a responsibility to help developing countries achieve better lives for their people. Providing development assistance helps the United States build closer ties with developing countries. The U.S. also benefits economically because economies that are developing and growing are better trade and investment partners.

How do USAID's programs work in Vietnam?
USAID's staff in Vietnam consult extensively with the Government of Vietnam, the nongovernmental organization (NGO) community, the U.S. Embassy, the private sector, and other groups to determine the types of aid that are needed. The Mission then formulates a strategic plan that proposes how the aid will be used and the levels of funding that are required. This plan is reviewed by USAID headquarters in Washington, D.C., and is incorporated into the President's annual foreign assistance bill, which is submitted to the U.S. Congress. Once the bill is passed, USAID officials negotiate the agreements required to release USAID funds.

USAID implementing teams monitor the progress of USAID-funded activities, conduct site visits, and carry out evaluations and audits to ensure that activities are being run as planned.

How can I or my organization receive funding from USAID?
Overall, the priorities for funding are drawn from the strategic plan, which is drawn up following extensive consultation with the NGO community, the U.S. Embassy, the private sector, and other groups. The assistance is implemented by appropriate agencies of the national, provincial and local governments, NGOs and private voluntary organizations (PVOs), and businesses and civic organizations.

USAID assistance is generally in the form of technical assistance – services supplied by people and firms that USAID hires. Decisions regarding specific contractors and grantees are done through competitively bid contracts and grants which support specific objectives of our current program activities.

Can USAID help me obtain visas to the United States?
USAID is strictly a development agency. It has no jurisdiction over the application, review, or approval process for obtaining visas or other entry documents to the United States. Please contact the Consular Section of the U.S. Embassy in your country for information and assistance.

How can I get a job with USAID in Vietnam?
For more information on available job opportunities, please visit our Opportunities page.

Vacancies for local positions are usually advertised in major newspapers with instructions on how to apply. They are also posted at fedbizopps.gov, the U.S. Government business opportunities website.

For U.S. citizens interested in a long-term career with USAID, please contact the Office of Human Resources Management (M/HR), Recruitment Branch, United States Agency for International Development, Second Floor, 1300 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Ronald Reagan Building, Federal Triangle Area, Washington, D. C. 20523, USA. You can also find additional information on USAID’s Employment Opportunities page.

How can I do business with USAID?
USAID-funded activities are carried out through contracts, grants, and cooperative agreements with American and international NGOs and contractors. For more information on available opportunities, please visit our Opportunities page.

Which U.S. Private Voluntary Organizations (PVOs) do business with USAID?
USAID's Office of Private and Voluntary Cooperation (OPVC) in Washington, D.C. maintains a list of registered PVOs.

Could you send me some general information on USAID activities in the region?
All information about USAID/Vietnam is available on this website. We urge you to browse the site and print whatever you deem appropriate. If you need additional information, please contact us.

How do I contact USAID/Vietnam? The USAID Mission in Vietnam is located in Hanoi. 15/F Tung Shing Building 2, Ngo Quyen Street Hanoi, Vietnam Telephone: (84-4) 3935-1260 Fax: (84-4) 3935-1265 Email: UsaidVietnam@usaid.gov

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