July 13, 2014
The World Race provides a brief explanation of what racers can expect in the Vietnam. “After nearly a century of French rule, in the mid-20th century, Vietnam was split into communist (north) and non-communist (south) halves. By 1975, Vietnam was made whole again, but as a communist country. Even with the economic reforms and restoration of diplomatic ties human rights are limited in Vietnam, especially freedom of religion; most of Vietnam is Buddhist, less than 10% is Catholic.”
I got this information from Cultures of the World: Vietnam by Audrey Seah, The Primary Source Guide to Vietnam by Elizabeth Rose, and Pray4vn.org.
-Vietnam has the third highest abortion rate in the world. One third of pregnancies end in abortion.
-Vietnam has a high rate of poverty (14.5%)
-Even though there is has been advances in the area of women’s rights in Vietnam, it is still does not bode well for them. They are sold into marriages and prostitution, exploited for cheap labor, discriminated in the work force, used as concubines, and abused—none of these things carry a stigma in their society.
-Vietnam is 50% Buddhist, 9% Catholic, and 1% Protestant. A lot of the Christian percentage is mixed with Buddhism.
-In Vietnam, Christianity is nicknamed “the religion that throws away their grandparents,” because ancestor worship is so ingrained in society and tradition.
-Corruption is widespread
-Vietnam’s waters suffer from pollution and ecological imbalance due to human activity.
-Industrialization and modernization have also affected air quality in Vietnam. Most urban areas are polluted by dust
.
-Even though the spraying stopped decades ago, Agent Orange (a herbicide that went terribly wrong) is in the food chain because it has settled into the soil and water. It contaminates ducks, fish, and plants, which are consumed by people.
-“State-run orphanages are crowded with abandoned children, mostly those with deformities, illness or HIV. Unfortunately assistance through international adoptions has been halted by concerns of corruption.” 
Please pray for changed hearts in regards to the value of children, for foreign and domestic aid against poverty, against abuse and gender inequality, and for an outpouring of the Gospel in country!
Thank you guys! God bless!
Tori
