U.S. Peace Corps swears in 20 new volunteers to support Vietnam’s English language

As the two nations prepare to celebrate the 30th anniversary of diplomatic relations in 2025, the ceremony underscores both countries’ commitment to deepening people-to-people ties and strengthening bilateral relations.

“This new generation of Peace Corps Volunteers will contribute to this shared vision, building bridges and understanding between our two countries.”, U.S. Ambassador Marc Knapper stated.  Ambassador Knapper also congratulated Ministry of Education and Training and Peace Corps for completing the first program evaluation and preparing for the renewal of the Implementing Agreement between the two governments in July next year.

20 Peace Corps volunteers in Vietnam participated in the swearing-in ceremony in Hanoi, December 18, 2024.

After the ceremony, the volunteers will begin their service in high schools across Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City. They will collaborate with local teachers to improve Vietnamese students’ English skills, creating greater access to educational and employment opportunities over the next two years.

This milestone follows the 2020 Implementing Agreement between the U.S. and Vietnamese governments, with the Peace Corps and the Ministry of Education and Training (MOET) serving as the implementing partners.

Attendees at the ceremony included representatives from the Ministry of Education and Training, various Vietnamese government ministries and departments, school leadership, the U.S. Ambassador, the U.S. Embassy, Peace Corps Vietnam, Peace Corps Volunteers, international organizations, and the media.

From left to right: Mr. Pham Quang Hung, Director General of International Cooperation Department, Ministry of Education and Training, U.S. Ambassador Marc Knapper and Peace Corps Vietnam Country Director Mikel Herrington marked the swearing-in with a ceremonial gong strike.

"Programs like Peace Corps thrive on collaboration, and today is a testament to what can be achieved when people come together with shared values and a shared mission. At its core, the Peace Corps mission is about connection—connection not only between our two countries but also between the Volunteers and their students, their schools, and their counterparts," said Mikel Herrington, Peace Corps Vietnam Country Director. Mr. Herrington added that the representation of Government partners, schools, teachers and students in the ceremony “is the heart of the partnership and it is ultimately the relationships we build that will be the true measure of our joint success."

Immediately after their arrival in October this year, the volunteers began a comprehensive 10-week training program which includes Vietnamese language classes, Teaching English as a Foreign Language (TEFL) sessions, and a practicum with local teachers. The training will help strengthen their skills necessary to adapt to the local context and work effectively in Vietnam’s educational system. 

“As we enter a new chapter of Peace Corps Viet Nam, we will continue to strive for peace and friendship. We are very excited to be given the opportunity to work alongside Vietnamese teachers in their efforts to improve the quality of English learning and teaching, but more importantly, we are very excited to learn from Vietnamese teachers and partners and we will also strive our best to contribute.”, said a newly sworn-in Volunteer.

This is the third group of Volunteers to Vietnam. The first group of Volunteers who arrived in 2022 have concluded their assignment after two years of service at high schools.