In the past, people in Vietnam had low trust in cooperatives in general, which hindered the participation of new members. Many of the established cooperatives are facing weak governance and ineffective business. To strengthen the cooperative field, DGRV has been operating in Vietnam since the end of 1990s by providing support at all levels. The long-term overall goal of the project is to strengthen the corresponding social system that can support the sector in the future.
In the past five years, Vietnam, which is part of DGRV’s regional WINGS project – Economic Inclusion through Sustainable Cooperative Systems in Asia, has provided technical advice for amendment of cooperative law, with focus on improving regulation on cooperative accounting and audit activities. Further on, building up a suitable curricular training system for agricultural cooperatives, especially for cooperative directors, has been the focus of collaborating with the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development.
In the phase from 2024 – 2026, the DGRV project in Vietnam is continuously working with macro level agencies such as the Ministry of Finance (MoF) and the State Bank of Vietnam (SBV).
At meso level, the focus is capacity building for the Vietnam Cooperative Alliance (VCA) and selected cooperative alliances at the provincial level – PCAs. DGRV is currently active in Hau Giang, Lam Dong, An Giang, Tra Vinh, Bac Lieu and Binh Phuoc provinces with a wide range of courses for trainers and advisors. DGRV and its partners strongly believe that only with professional and skilled staff, VCA and PCAs can become reliable partners and supporters for cooperatives and representatives of the low-income class and rural areas in Vietnam.
The DGRV project in Vietnam has also recognized the necessity of directly supporting cooperatives. In the current phase, more resources will be spent on this kind of activities, focusing on developing good governance and effective business. Activities to promote the cooperative movement within the youth are also being promoted. They shall contribute to a greater reach out and sustainability of the cooperative model.
Some highlight activities DGRV has been implementing are:
Experience exchange with the Banking Supervision Agency under the State Bank of Vietnam. Subjects were development of financial cooperatives in Germany, focusing on the network infrastructure to promote prudent operation, regulations on dual governance, internal controls and internal audit, comprehensive external audit.
Technical assistance for the Cooperative Development Agency under the former Ministry of Planning and Investment (now, the Agency for Promoting Private Enterprises and Cooperatives under the Ministry of Finance) on requested topics such as German experience on cooperative audit, taxation for cooperatives, risk-based approach for governmental support schemes.
Trainers, consultants and the boards members of cooperatives have been trained on a large variety of subjects, such as: cooperative principles and good cooperative governance, resource saving production methods. Another focus of the trainings realized has been the improvement of financial literacy, e.g. business planning, marketing, internal audit, financial management.
A Boot Camp on the design and implementation of business plans addressing the youth in cooperatives, has successfully been realized.
Ms. Nguyen Thi Tuyet Minh
Ms. Bui Thi Thu Thuy
Mr. Nguyen Trong Khanh
Ms. Ngo Thi Thanh Van
Mr. Nguyen Duy Tung
Ms. Nguyen Thi Xuan Quynh
Ms. Vi Thuy Linh
Mr. Sayarath Vongsack
Ms. Do Thi Hong Ngan
Ms. Dao Bich Hanh
Mr. Le Duc Kim
The Vietnam Cooperative Alliance is the national apex organization for cooperatives in Vietnam. It supports cooperative development, advocacy, and training across various sectors and regions.
This agency under the Ministry of Finance promotes the growth of private enterprises and cooperatives through policy coordination and support mechanisms. It plays a key role in shaping an enabling financial and regulatory environment.
The Banking Supervision Agency under the State Bank of Vietnam oversees the financial sector, including cooperative banks and credit institutions. It ensures regulatory compliance and financial sector stability.
MARD is responsible for Vietnam’s agricultural policy and rural development. It supports cooperative models as a tool for sustainable agriculture and rural economic growth.
This agency monitors financial reporting and compliance across public and cooperative institutions. It contributes to financial transparency and accountability within Vietnam’s economic system.
These provincial alliances represent and support cooperatives at the local level. They provide training, coordination, and serve as a link between grassroots cooperatives and national stakeholders.
This department is responsible for agricultural development and environmental management in Hau Giang Province. It works with cooperatives to implement provincial policies on sustainable farming and resource use.
The Lam Dong Farmers’ Union represents smallholder farmers and rural communities. It advocates for member interests and promotes cooperative models to improve livelihoods and resilience.
Apartment 301-302, Block A1, Van Phuc Diplomatic Compound,
No. 298, Kim Ma str., Ba Dinh dist.,
Hanoi, Vietnam
T: (+84) 02438470945
hanoi@dgrv.coop
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