The Development of Professional Social Work Practice in Central High-land in Vietnam: The Gap between Policy Aims and Actual Implementa-tion

Abstract

Professional social work has been strongly promoted by Vietnam Government in recent decade, in order to meet the need of increasingly vulnerable groups in a rapidly changing society as Vietnam. However, a question remained unanswered: how far does the current supply of professional social work practice meet the demand for social work practice? Are there any challenges or obstacles needed to be overcome so that social work can function better? An-swering these questions is particularly significant for areas home to a high number of vulnerable people, whereas their geographical condition is disadvantageous and socio-economic condition is underdeveloped, such as Tay Nguyen – the Central Highland of Vietnam.Employing questionnaire survey, in-depth interviews, and focus group discussion, this research is to analyze how social work profession is being developed in Tay Nguyen in conjuction with the specific history and culture of this highland area, the effort to develop social work of central government, and the real situation in grassroot agencies. This study found some key obstacles for the development of professional social work in Tay Nguyen, which reflect the general barriers against social work development in Vietnam but, at the same times, have some distinctive features due to the distinctive socio-cultural features of Tay Nguyen.