public affairs section

U.S. SPEAKER AND PERFORMER PROGRAMS
The U.S. Speaker Program invites and pays for American scholars and experts to speak at interested institutions on subjects such as economics, trade, legal reform, American history, culture, U.S. foreign policy, biotechnology and health issues. In addition, each year PAS develops cultural programs to bring American musicians and/or artists to Vietnam to perform or display their work and conduct master classes.  Interested Vietnamese institutions are encouraged to contact PAS Ho Chi Minh City to discuss speaker and/or performer programming.

 

AMBASSADOR’S FUND FOR CULTURAL PRESERVATION (AFCP)
The AFCP was established in 2001 to help countries preserve their tangible and intangible cultural heritage.  Over the past six years, the Fund has awarded 379 preservation grants in 108 countries, including projects throughout Vietnam.  PAS welcomes information about projects that may fit the criteria for the AFCP.

INTERNATIONAL VISITOR PROGRAM
Every year the U.S. Consulate General identifies candidates for participation in three-week thematic study tours to the U.S. Grantees travel to several regions in the U.S. to meet with American professional counterparts and to exchange ideas and methods relating to their fields of expertise.  Candidates are ideally between 30-45 years of age; have worked in their professional areas for at least five years; have demonstrated academic and professional excellence in their areas of specialty; and have obtained the agreement of their employer to participate in a U.S. government-sponsored exchange program.

Global Undergraduate Exchange Program
The Global Undergraduate Exchange Program provides scholarships enabling outstanding undergraduate students to conduct non-degree study at a U.S. college or university for up to one academic year.

Study of the United States Institutes
The Study of the U.S. Institutes (SUSI) offers intensive post-graduate study programs sponsored by the U.S. Department of State.  These six-week courses are held at various universities and colleges throughout the United States.  The purpose of SUSI is to provide secondary educators, university lecturers, and researchers in American Studies the opportunity to deepen their understanding of American society, culture, and institutions.  Knowledge and experience gained from these programs are expected to help participants to strengthen curricula and improve the quality of teaching about the United States in their own universities and institutions when they return to their home country.  SUSI programs lasting five weeks are also available for university students who demonstrate exceptional leadership qualities. 

HUBERT H. HUMPHREY PROGRAM
This is a 10-month, non-degree, academic and research public administration program.  Based at a U.S. university, participants may audit classes, conduct research, arrange an internship, and go on field trips.  Candidates in the fields of economics, law, public policy, business administration, communications/journalism, TESOL, health, environmental studies, education, women’s issues, technology management, climate change, and urban planning are encouraged to apply.  Candidates must pass the TOEFL exam with a score of 525 or more to be eligible for consideration.

FULBRIGHT PROGRAM
Started in 1992 with the goal of increasing mutual understanding between the peoples of the United States and Vietnam, the Vietnam Fulbright Program has expanded to include five elements: U.S. Scholar Exchange Program, U.S. Student Exchange Program, Vietnam Scholar Exchange Program, Vietnam Student Exchange Program, and the Fulbright English Teaching Assistant Program.  On behalf of the J. William Fulbright Board of Foreign Scholarships and the U.S. Department of State, PAS Hanoi co-ordinates with PAS Ho Chi Minh City on the development of the Vietnam Fulbright Program.

THE FULBRIGHT SENIOR SPECIALIST PROGRAM
This program places qualified American specialists at a Vietnamese institution for two to six weeks in order to conduct training workshops, assist in curriculum development, or otherwise act as consultant in eligible areas.  Interested institutions should contact PAS to make a request.  Requests should outline the project dates and activities, detail the required qualifications of the specialist, and provide a justification and desired results statement.  The Fulbright Program bears all costs of the program except lodging, which must be covered by the local host institution.

PRESS PROGRAM
PAS Ho Chi Minh City accepts and facilitates interview requests from Vietnamese and international journalists who are interested in the activities of the U.S. Consulate General and in issues related to U.S.-Vietnamese relations.  U.S. Consulate General press releases and announcements are posted on its website.  In addition, transcripts of official speeches, articles, and commentaries from U.S. print and electronic press are translated and distributed to interested Vietnamese readers and to the local press for placement.

THE BOOK TRANSLATION PROGRAM
The Book Translation Program purchases copyright and may cover the costs of translating and publishing books by U.S. authors into Vietnamese.  Sponsorship is provided on a competitive basis to interested Vietnamese institutions that are encouraged to share the costs with PAS and must agree to distribute the books commercially.  Non- fiction and fiction titles are within the scope of this program, which is only available to publishing companies.

U.S.-Vietnam Studies Corners
Sponsored by the Bureau of International Information Programs of the U.S. Department of State, the IRC has worked with selected Vietnamese partners to establish “U.S.–Vietnam Studies Corners.”  These Corners are joint partnerships that promote cooperation and understanding by providing open and accurate information about the United States to the Vietnamese people.  The U.S.–Vietnam Studies Corners also serve as venues for seminars, film showings, and other events that promote cross-cultural understanding.

THE INFORMATION RESOURCE CENTER (IRC)
The IRC provides up-to-date information to Vietnamese audiences and U.S. Mission staff about the United States, its people and policies.  The subject emphasis is on American politics and government, economics and trade, foreign affairs and defense, education and culture.  There is also information about global issues such as narcotics, HIV-AIDS, and environmental and social issues.

The IRC is staffed by professional reference specialists and equipped with modern information retrieval technologies such as on-line databases. Admittance to the IRC is free and does not require a membership card.

Article Round Up
A monthly current events collection of article abstracts designed to keep IRC users abreast of topics of interest in the United States.  Upon receiving Article Round Up abstracts, IRC users can request full-text articles or related information by mail, email, fax, or telephone.

Consulate General Website
The IRC staff manages the Consulate General public website at http://hochiminh.usconsulate.gov.  The website serves as a gateway to information related to the U.S. including visa applications, education, economics, and trade. 

Periodicals
Dozens of U.S. magazine and newspaper titles that cover all aspects of American life are available for public use at the IRC.  Readers may request photocopies of a limited number of articles at the IRC.

Reference Books
The IRC has a collection of reference books in fields such as diplomacy, public administration, economics, trade, sciences, and technology.  “Take home” requests are considered on a case-by-case basis.

Research/Reference Services
Upon request, IRC can provide information about U.S. policies in domestic and international affairs via phone calls, fax, mail, e-mail, and personal visits by appointment.