Following its official launch on July 10, the USAID Trade Facilitation Program hit the ground running by partnering with the Vietnam Customs School (VCS) to establish an e-study system for customs officials to address critical gaps in knowledge. The General Department of Vietnam Customs (GDVC) is currently implementing its strategy for customs development through 2020. Revamping training and development is a central feature of this strategy, which will incorporate e-learning and training simulators to build the capacity of GDVC staff and help modernization of customs sector. 

So What? The introduction of an e-study system will transform the way GDVC/VCS trains its employees. Interventions of this nature bolster Vietnam’s Journey to Self-Reliance by putting a local institution in the lead to overcome development challenges.