Vietnam is more than rice paddies, conical hats, and conflict with America. Vietnam is bursting with energy and forward motion. You’ll feel it in the hum and activity on the streets. You’ll see it in the way Vietnamese welcome you to their homes, invite you to taste their food, and proudly show you their rich culture. You’ll sense it in the options and opportunities all around. Vietnam is home of over 90 million people. Each part of the county has it’s own customs, language dialects, and indigenous people.  

Youthlinc is partnering with SJ Vietnam, who has been working with us since 2012 with the first Service Year teams.  They have introduced us to a village in the northern highlands that is a gem of gems.  The village we will be working in is called Buoc in Mai Chau province.

Buoc is home to 310 people from 77 families.  Most folks in this area are subsistence farmers and raise some livestock.  Most people living in Buoc are ethnic Thai, although none of them have ever lived in Thailand.  Their first language is a variation of Thai, but they say that they only understand 60% of what is said in Thai movies, for example.  They speak Vietnamese as their 2nd language and receive most of their education in Vietnamese.

One of Buoc’s main goals is to become a more desirable destination for travelers.  They would like to work on programs to encourage environmentally sustainable tourism, including becoming a single-use plastic free area, provide locally grown organic food, and encourage visitor’s activities to be healthy and active.  Youthlinc is excited to find team members that can help them achieve their goals, including developing marketing and tourism-related skills. There is a women’s association in Buoc that is eager to work with Youthlinc on developing and improving opportunities for women so they can earn extra income for their families.