Students in Vietnam are navigating questions of identity, purpose and belonging, while facing pressures familiar to young people around the world. We spoke with a worker involved in student ministry in northern Vietnam about the opportunities and challenges of sharing life and faith with students.
How did you get involved in student ministry?
I always felt drawn to serving young people. Through a friend, I began joining student gatherings in Hanoi, and later a teammate connected me with the general secretary of VFES (Vietnam Fellowship of Evangelical Students). When VFES formed a team in northern Vietnam, I was invited to join and help grow the ministry there.
Can you give us a sense of what students in Vietnam are searching for or interested in spiritually?
Like young people from other countries, many Vietnamese students are searching for identity, belonging, purpose, and emotional support amid academic and social pressure. Many feel isolated, anxious about the future, and disconnected from family or close friendships, while also being strongly influenced by digital culture and individual self-expression.
What does student ministry look like in Vietnam?
Just as Jesus modelled, we mainly disciple individual students and small groups, training them through real life and trusting them to lead. We also aim to engage with non-Christian students through sports and English ministries.
What unique opportunities or challenges does student ministry in Vietnam involve?
Key opportunities include providing faith communities with purpose, emotional support and genuine relationships through walking alongside students. Main challenges are busy schedules, strong digital influences and the difficulty Christian students face living out their faith in a secular environment.
What would you say to someone considering student ministry in Vietnam?
Are you available and flexible (enough) to spend time with young people and genuinely journey with them? Do you want to see a society transformed by the gospel? Then student ministry in Vietnam could be a great fit for you!
How can we pray for this ministry?
Please pray that God would strengthen and expand the movement of students following Jesus in Vietnam.
