Vietnam works to bridge gaps among diverse population groups
With a population of over 100 million, Vietnam is currently the 15th most populous country in the world. According to the General Statistics Office, Vietnam's population size will continue to grow at a slower rate.
Pauline Tamesis - UN Resident Coordinator in Vietnam. (Photo: Vietnam+)
Hanoi, VNA - 💜With a population of over 100 million, Vietnam is currently the 15th most populous country in the world. According to the General Statistics Office, Vietnam's population size will continue to grow at a slower rate.
Vietnam is making notable strides in addressing inequality and bridging socio-economic gaps between regions and population groups. The increasing life expectancy of the Vietnamese people is a positive indicator of the country’s development progress.
Pauline Tamesis, the UN Resident Coordinator in Vietnam, highlighted these efforts during the ceremony marking the 30th anniversary of the International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD) Programme of Action and World Population Day in Hanoi on July 11.
With a population of over 100 million, Vietnam ranks as the 15th most populous country in the world.
According to forecasts from the General Statistics Office, Vietnam's population will continue to grow, though at a gradually slowing pace.
Over the past 20 years, maternal mortality in Vietnam has decreased by 75%, surpassing the global reduction rate of 34%.
Additionally, the use of modern contraceptives among women aged 15 to 49 has risen to over 60%.
Vietnam remains in its "golden population" phase, characterized by a large, youthful workforce, a period anticipated to last until 2039. However, since 2011, the country has entered the aging population stage at a pace faster than many other nations. It is projected that Vietnam will become an aging society by 2036 and a "super-aged" society by 2049. This demographic shift is expected to have widespread impacts at national, regional, and global levels.
Minister of Health Dao Hong Lan speaks at the ceremony. (Photo: Vietnam+)
Minister of Health Dao Hong Lan remarked on the significant milestones achieved over the past 30 years in population management, including effective control of population growth and improvements in population structure.
The working-age population has increased and entered its "golden population" phase in 2007. Vietnam has seen enhanced investments in social security, healthcare, education, and employment. The Human Development Index has risen rapidly, reflecting notable reductions in malnutrition, maternal mortality, and infant mortality rates.
Delegates at the ceremony. (Photo: Vietnam+)
Vietnam has also made significant progress in ensuring access to family planning and healthcare services for the elderly.
Tamesis acknowledged that disparities still exist in certain areas of Vietnam. She suggested implementing policies now to prepare for demographic changes and an aging population.
Potential solutions include increasing labor force participation among the elderly, supporting women’s involvement in the workforce, and investing in healthcare and education.
Le Thanh Dung, Director General of the General Department of Population. (Photo: Vietnam+)
Le Thanh Dung, Director General of the General Department of Population, recommended that UN organizations, development partners, and international diplomatic missions share their experiences to support research, assessment, and forecasting of demographic and socio-economic interactions. This would help authorities shape future development strategies, particularly regarding aging populations and declining fertility rates.
The General Department of Population also seeks international support in developing the Population Law and its guiding documents, aiming to shift the focus of population policy from family planning to broader population and development issues.
The draft law is expected to be submitted to the Government in December 2024 and to the National Assembly in October 2025./.
The Vietnam Social Security (VSS) has completed and surpassed all set targets in the coverage of social, unemployment and health insurance, according to VSS General Director Nguyen The Manh.
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.
Deputy Foreign Minister Dang Hoang Giang reaffirmed that amnesty is a humanitarian policy of the Party and State, reflecting the Vietnamese tradition of compassion and winning attention and high praise both domestically and internationally.
Vietnam officially grants limited-term visa-free entry to high-profile foreigners whose presence is deemed beneficial to the country’s socio-economic development.
With support from the Vietnamese Association in Ufa, Vietnamese language classes for children have been offered for many years. Currently, 60 children of various ages are attending two classes taught by Duc Anh, free of charge.
Vietnam ranked among the top four countries and territories at the 2025 International Olympiad on Artificial Intelligence (IOAI), reaffirming its strong position in international academic competitions.
All 20 crew members aboard the Vietnamese oil tanker GT Unity were successfully rescued from a fire in the vessel’s engine room, thanks to the swift response of the Liberian-flagged ship Androusa and Vietnamese maritime rescue teams.
Describing Agent Orange as one of the most severe and enduring legacies of the war in Vietnam, Vietnam's former Honorary Consul to Belgium Joseph-Michel de Grand Ry warned that its impact – still affecting generations more than five decades later – could last another two to three decades.
Running from August 4 to September 2, under the hashtag #TuHaoVietNam, the campaign invites participants in two categories: “I Love My Country” video clips and “I Love My Country” check-in photos.
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.
With a tight 13-month deadline, the move is under a strategic and urgent policy to bridge educational gaps, train the local workforce, and shore up territorial sovereignty in some of the country’s most remote areas.
The parade and personnel send-off ceremony will officially take place on August 10 at the area surrounding the Statue of King Ly Thai To and Dinh Tien Hoang street of Hoan Kiem ward, with the participation of nearly 3,000 officers, soldiers, and local residents.
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.
The Ministry of Construction (MoC) plans to open to traffic 208km of expressways of six key projects by August 19, bringing the country’s total expressway network to 2,476km.
As of July 1, a two-tier local government model started in 34 provinces and cities, streamlining administration but creating a surplus of public properties. If not promptly addressed, these assets could become a financial burden.
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.
