John Thomas Hoy who initiated Irish Aid programmes for Vietnam travelled to the Southeast Asian nation in 2004 for a fact-finding tour. One year later, Irish Aid approved Euro3 million for Vietnam to carry out development projects and the amount was increased to Euro4.5 million in 2006.

With the committed amount of Euro30 million, Irish Aid is the biggest bilateral donor for the second phase of Vietnam’s socio-economic development programme in disadvantaged communes (known as programme 135).

While working in Vietnam, the director has paid special attention to promoting cultural exchange between Ireland and Vietnam, including music programmes to raise funds for Vietnamese Agent Orange victims. He has developed a scholarship programme for Vietnamese post-graduates to study in Ireland in social sciences and development.

He has also made a significant contribution to drawing up a exchange programme connecting Vietnamese high-schools with those in Ireland to increase mutual understanding between the two countries’ young generations.