International Day of Persons with Disabilities observed in Vietnam
An array of programmes and policies have been devised to support people with disabilities across the country, said Deputy Minister of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs Nguyen Van Hoi.
At the ceremony to mark the 30th anniversary of International Day of Persons with Disabilities (Photo: VNA)
Hanoi (VNA) - An array of programmes and policies have been devised to support people with disabilities across the country, said Deputy Minister of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs Nguyen Van Hoi.
He made the remarks at the ceremony “Listening to the Voice of People with Disabilities” held on December 1 to mark the 30th anniversary of International Day of Persons with Disabilities (December 3).
🍒 Hoi, who is also Vice Chairman of the Vietnam National Committee for People with Disabilities, said, "Vietnam has about 7 million people with disabilities, more than 7% of the population and one of the highest percentage in the Asia-Pacific region. People with severe disabilities comprise nearly 29% and about 10% of people with disabilities are poor."
"Most people with disabilities in Vietnam live in rural areas and have difficult lives, especially those affected by the spraying of Agent Orange/dioxin during the war. Thanks to the support of the Party, State, and the community, many of them have improved their lives." noted Hoi.
Vietnam has a relatively comprehensive system of policies and laws to help people with disabilities. In addition to the Constitution and the Law on People with Disabilities, there are the Law on Medical Examination and Treatment, the Law on Health Insurance, the Law on Education, and the Law on Vocational Training.
Vietnam has devised a wide range of programmes to support people with disabilities. (Photo: VNA)
Vietnam ratified the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities in 2014 and the International Labor Organization's Convention 159 on occupational re-adaptation and employment for people with disabilities affirming the country’s commitment to ensuring that workers with disabilities are not discriminated against in line with the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the Inchoen Strategy on realizing the rights of persons with disabilities in the most effective way.
Ms. Ramla Khalid, Resident Representative of the United Nations Development Program (UNDP), said: "UNDP is happy to share our experience in creating an inclusive working environment with government partners and enterprises to tap into the talent pool of Vietnamese persons with disabilities. We're also delighted to support capacity building for government officials and organizations with persons with disabilities to strengthen your ability to make the rights of the person with disabilities a reality in Vietnam."
Vietnam has implemented disability classification and issued disability certificates for nearly 3 million people. More than 1.1 million people with disabilities receive a monthly social allowance.
In the coming years, Vietnam will continue to fully implement the provisions of the Constitution and the laws concerning people with disabilities, as well as international commitments that Vietnam has signed.
The theme of International Day of Persons with Disabilities is “Transformative solutions for inclusive development: the role of innovation in fuelling an accessible and equitable world“. The annual observance of International Day of Persons with Disabilities (IDPD) on 3 December was proclaimed in 1992 by the United Nations General Assembly resolution 47/3. The observance of the Day aims to promote an understanding of disability issues and mobilize support for the dignity, rights and well-being of persons with disabilities. The 2022 global observance to commemorate International Day of Persons with Disabilities will be around the overarching theme of innovation and transformative solutions for inclusive development, covering in three different interactive dialogues the following thematic topics: innovation for disability inclusive development in employment (SDG8); innovation for disability inclusive development in reducing inequality (SDG10), and innovation for disability inclusive development: sport as an exemplar case: a sector where all of these aspects coalesce; sport as a good practice example and a site of innovation, employment and equity./.
People with disabilities in the Mekong Delta province of Long An were presented with 204 wheelchairs worth over 1 billion VND (43,100 USD) by the Consulate General of Thailand in Ho Chi Minh City in coordination with 4 Oranges Co. Ltd on May 25.
As many as 300 children with disabilities and orphans in Ho Chi Minh City were presented with scholarships and gifts on May 27 on the occasion of International Children’s Day (June 1).
As many as 50 young people with disabilities who are outstanding role models across the country were honoured at a ceremony in Hanoi on September 29 within the framework of the programme "Toa sang nghi luc Viet".
There is a serious shortage of data on specific groups of Persons with Disabilities (PwDs) in Vietnam, especially those who are most marginalised, including persons with hearing and learning difficulties.
Vietnam has over 4.8 million people exposed to AO/dioxin, including hundreds of thousands in the second, third, and even fourth generations. Many live with severe disabilities, facing high medical costs and loss of earning capacity.
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Decree No. 219/2025/ND-CP, which took effect on the issuance date, introduces amendments that integrate the procedure for reporting and explaining the demand for foreign workers into the process of submitting applications for work permits.
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According to national technical regulations, AIS installation is mandatory for boats carrying more than 50 passengers. However, operators of smaller vessels (under 50 seats) in Ha Long Bay have voluntarily committed to completing installation by the deadline to enhance operational safety.
The activities include a Vietnamese language teaching training course for overseas Vietnamese teachers from August 13 to 28 in Hanoi, Ninh Binh, and Thai Nguyen.
Specifically, the ships will carry out patrols from 7am to 6pm daily along the main tourist routes in Ha Long Bay, with one ship permanently stationed at Ti Top island. From 6pm to 7am the following day, the mobile vessels return to Tuan Chau island to maintain a 24/7 on-call duty shift, ensuring constant readiness.
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Whether they grow up to become journalists, diplomats, or professionals in other fields, these children can one day become bridges of friendship and cooperation, telling new and inspiring stories of Vietnam – China relations, said Ambassador Pham Thanh Binh.
A 21-year-old Indian tourist was successfully resuscitated and treated by doctors at Hoan My Da Nang Hospital after a near-drowning incident left him in critical condition. After three days of intensive care, the man was discharged from the hospital and has since returned to India.
In an document issued on August 5, the PM emphasised the need to stablise living conditions for people hit by floods, landslides, and flash floods in late July and early August in northern and north-central provinces, especially Dien Bien, Son La, and Nghe An which suffered some of the worst damage.
Although millions of Vietnamese were affected by AO, only over 626,000 individuals, including war veterans and their children suffering from dioxin-related conditions, are currently receiving state benefits.
Vietnam has devised a wide range of programmes to support people with disabilities. (Photo: VNA)
