Vietnam
Located in the center of Southeast Asia, it is bordered by China in the North, Laos and Cambodia to the west, the East Sea and the Pacific Ocean to Southeast. A long time ago, Vietnamese tribes chose to live in fertile plains, along rivers, where there is abundant source of water to grow rice and develop agricultural economy. The Rice Civilization was gradually formed and laid the foundation for the development of Vietnamese society. The agricultural model reflects people’s creativity and ingenuity, their respect and harmony with the nature.
Vietnam is a multi-ethnic country, with 54 ethnic groups, each with its own attributes expressed through culinary culture, housing, customs, festivals, art and costumes. Over 6,000 folk festivals preserve many layers of culture, moral ideology and philosophy of Vietnamese people. Traditional costumes of ethnic groups are diverse, closely link to labor process, but throughout the country, Ao Dai is uniformly chosen as the official costume in national ceremonies and international diplomacy. · Vietnamese art has a long and rich history, imbued with national identity, influenced by Chinese and French art, expressed through typical architecture, a treasure of valuable folk songs and proverbs, unique and diverse art forms. In Vietnam there are 16 major religions officially recognized in Vietnam, with followers accounting for about 27% of the population; of which Catholic accounts for 7%. The seeds of Gospel were sown in Vietnam by missionaries in 1533. Despite more than 250 years of persecution (1615-1886), the Catholic Church in Vietnam still had a bountiful harvest. Vietnamese Catholics are devout, enthusiastically attending daily Mass and other religious activities.
The Daughters of Mary Help of Christians officially set foot in Vietnam, from Hong-Kong, on 28 May 1961, with the approval of Pope John XXIII and the approval of Archbishop Paul Nguyen Van Binh. They rented a house on Pham Van Chi Street, Binh Tay - Cho Lon, as an experiment for the new presence. The first group of sisters consisted of: Sr. Rosa Zöller (German), Sr. Maria del Socorro Machuy (Chinese), Sr. Olivia Sadaya (Filipino), Sr. Anna Persico (Italian) and Sr. Elena Miravalle (Italian, arrived in Vietnam in 1964). The activities of the sisters were supported by a group of young women who want to find out their vocations. The main mission at this time was to teach more than 100 Vietnamese and Chinese children, teach catechism and organize Oratory activities. On 13 May 1963, the missionary sisters moved to Tam Ha, marking the establishment of the first headquarters of FMA in Vietnam.
On 30 April 1975, the civil war ended, opening a new page in the history of Vietnam. The political and social changes had a profound impact on the life of the Congregation. The missionary sisters left Vietnam, some returned to their families.The period 1975–1990 was marked by silence, but the flame of love for God and apostolic zeal became even stronger. The 16 native sisters lived among the poor, sharing their poor lives.
On 30 November 1987 Mother Provincial of Hong Kong, Sr. Franca Dardanello, visited Vietnam after a 12-year disconnected. Since 1987, the number of communities has increased expanding throughout the three regions of North - Central - South. Along with that, apostolic activities have also developed in many diverse forms. In 1990, the Vietnam Vice-Province was officially established with 4 communities and 22 sisters.
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In 1997, Mother General Marinella Castagno and the General Council decided to establish the SEA Vice-Province (South East Asia), consisting of Cambodia, Myanmar, East Timor–Indonesia and Vietnam, with the title "Maria Nostro Aiuto". The headquarters is located in Phnom Penh (Cambodia), with Sr. Lina Chiadotto as Vice-Province Superior.
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On 16 July 2003, Mother General Antonia Colombo officially recognized the Vietnam Vice Province with the title of "Mary Help of Christians” and Suor Rosa VÅ© Thị Kim Liên became the first Vice Province Superior.
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On 5 August 2009, Mother General Yvonne Reungoat announced the establishment of the “Mary Help of Christians” Province of VTN marking the maturity of the Congregation in Vietnam after 48 years of presence, with the Provincial Superior being Sister Teresa Uong Thi Doan Trang.
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Currently the “Mary Help of Christians” Province consisted of 24 communities and 4 points of presence, 322 FMA (236 professed sisters, 83 temporary professed sisters, 24 Novices, 10 Postulants, 9 Aspirants, 24 Pre-aspirant and PVO. Of these, 296 FMA serve in 14 dioceses in Vietnam and 2 dioceses in Laos; 26 FMA work and study abroad. The number of ad gentes missionary sisters is 38. Communities and presences in the mission areas include: La Son, Loc Tan, Nam Po, Binh Phuoc, Vientiane (Laos), Thakhek (Laos).
