Cambodia – Vietnamese
Addressing Felt Needs of Immigrants
| Main Language | Vietnamese |
| Largest Religion | Buddhism and ancestor worship |
| Population | 400,000-800,000+ |
| Evangelical % | 0.1% |
Country Description
Representing roughly 3-5% of the population, Vietnamese are considered the largest ethnic minority group in Cambodia dating back to the 1600s. Although Vietnamese immigrants have been living in Cambodia under various rulers and governments for centuries, one thing that remains the same is the majority of them do not have citizenship. They cannot own land, pursue higher education, own a business, or access the judicial system.
Many Vietnamese have been fishermen for generations, and a large number are living on the Tonle Sap lake and along the Mekong River on floating villages. With the fishing industry declining over the last decade, several Vietnamese villages have moved on land with limited means to make a living. Being the poorest of the poor, they continue to face unique social, economic, and religious hardships.
Ministry Overview
World Team has been ministering among the Vietnamese in Cambodia since 2008. Over the years, the gospel has been sown, and some have followed Jesus from small Vietnamese villages in the remote province, as well as in some cities, including south Phnom Penh, Kampong Cham and Siem Reap.
Our ministry focuses on making obedient Vietnamese disciples of Jesus Christ who, in turn, make more disciples, resulting in reproducing indigenous communities of believers.
Team Emphasis
Using innovative platforms such as literacy, ESL, education assistance, medical services, job training, and disaster relief, our team builds deep relationships with the community to share the gospel with the unreached Vietnamese minority living in Cambodia.
Focusing on discipleship and raising indigenous leaders, our team works in small groups with new believers to help them grow in their daily walk with Jesus, as well as equip them with Bible training to help them teach and lead others to Christ.
Related Links
Opportunities
Stories
God is Working
Although the Vietnamese in Cambodia are marginalized and underprivileged, God continues to send workers for this unreached harvest. Beginning with just one long-term missionary family in 2008, World Team Cambodia has since welcomed several long-term missionaries.
God has also used World Team to enable many mid-term workers (1-2 years) from Vietnam and many more short-term workers (2 weeks to 1 month) from both Vietnam and the US to join his work in reaching the unreached Vietnamese of Cambodia.
Prayer Focus
- For many Vietnamese in remote villages to have opportunities to hear the gospel and accept Jesus as Lord.
- For the new believers to grow and mature in the Lord and be able to reach their own communities.
- For more long-term, mid-term and short-term workers to be raised up to reach the Vietnamese for Christ.
“But if anyone has the world’s goods and sees his brother in need, yet closes his heart against him, how does God’s love abide in him? Little children, let us not love in word or talk but in deed and in truth.“
1 John 3:17-18