Vietnam is a Southeastern Asian country on the South China Sea. It is bordered by Laos, Cambodia and China. Vietnam is an agricultural-based country with rice playing and important role in the life of the Vietnamese people. Vietnam is a diverse country in geography, ethnicity and culture. The majority of Vietnamese identify themselves as the Kinh people; however, there are over 54 ethnic groups with their distinct languages and cultures within the nation. The majority of the population live in the lowlands and along the coast while most ethnic minority groups live in the highlands and remote communities.

The Vietnamese government have made a concerted effort to reduce poverty in the last 20 years. Although there has been monumental changes in Vietnam’s economy and many have benefited from recent economic development, the gap between the rich and the poor continues to widen and many are left behind.