Embassy Hanoi and Consulate General Ho Chi Minh - OIG - US ...

SENSITIVE BUT UNCLASSIFIED
evenly. The outstanding Fulbright Program is the star effort, with the cultural side
close behind pursuing successful exchange programs and facilitating impressive
cultural performances. The information resource center (IRC) has increased its
outreach activities and during the past year opened its facility to the public. Information
activities, critical to the fulfillment of MPP goals, require attention.
Excellent coordination between Embassy Hanoi’s public affairs section and
that of Consulate General Ho Chi Minh City exists with contacts on a daily basis.
The Hanoi section must pay more attention, however, to relationships with the
embassy front office. For example, a review of front office taskers revealed missed
deadlines. More and faster responsiveness is essential to support the Chief of
Mission adequately. OIG informally recommended greater use of written memoranda
to the front office, explaining the reasons for actions and requests in order to
smooth coordination and achieve better understanding.
Resources
A public affairs officer and an assistant public affairs officer lead a section with
ten FSNs. The FSNs each have a backup person who received on the job training
to ensure responsibilities are carried out during absences. An employee of the
Institute for International Education is also working with the section as a contractor
on Fulbright matters. The staffing size is inadequate to accomplish mission
goals and objectives. As described in the information section below, one additional
Foreign Service officer and one FSN are needed. In addition, the timely replacement
of the assistant public affairs officer who will depart in the summer of 2006
is essential.
For FY 2005, public affairs has a country-wide budget of about $550,000, with
country-wide FSN salaries reaching approximately $219,000; Hanoi program funds,
$202,000; and Ho Chi Minh City program funds, $129,000. The section was allocated
representation funds of about $10,000 for the country - $6,000 for Hanoi and
$4,000 for Ho Chi Minh City.
Some of the FSNs lack initiative and require American direction to accomplish
their responsibilities. Training, therefore, is essential for FSNs at all levels to
strengthen their abilities to carry out individual responsibilities. The assistant
public affairs officer departs post during the summer of 2006. The effectiveness of
public diplomacy at the mission will be crippled if the assistant public affairs
officer is not replaced promptly.
20 . OIG Report No. ISP-I-05-28A, Inspection of Embassy Hanoi and CG Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, September 2005
SENSITIVE BUT UNCLASSIFIED