Hanoi: The AUTHORITIES

On Thursday, I registered EDM with PACCOM - the authorities in charge of giving permits to foreign organisations. The meeting went really well - ! There are three levels of permits - (i) permit for operation, (ii) permit for project office and (iii) permit for representative office. I applied for a permit for a project office. I believe that EDM will be able to get a permit for operation (enabling me to operate and share office space with my partner) and after 6 months of proper monitoring of our activities, we may be able to get a permit for a project office (enabling me to get a real office with an EDM sign). After two years of activities, EDM can apply for a permit for representative office, meaning that we are legitimate here.

I am trying to go up to Dien Bien in two weeks to do a poverty assessment of our proposed working site so we can propose a new program. In one week, TET begins, which is the Vietnamese new year. Nothing will get done one week before and after TET.