Viet Nam's policies for children: From commitments to a comprehensive protection ecosystem

At the ceremony marking the 50th anniversary of Viet Nam–UNICEF cooperation and the 35th anniversary of Viet Nam’s ratification of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child, Deputy Prime Minister Le Thanh Long emphasized that the Government of Viet Nam “always pays special attention to and prioritizes resources for the protection and care of children; focuses on improving guidelines, policies, and institutions relating to child protection and care; and creates the best possible conditions for children to achieve comprehensive development and to live in a safe and healthy environment, especially children living in poverty, children in particularly difficult circumstances, children with disabilities, and orphaned children”.

Since 1990, Viet Nam has ratified the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child, becoming the first country in Asia and the second in the world to ratify this instrument – a step that clearly demonstrates a strategic vision, integrating children’s rights throughout the national development strategy. As a result, the legal and policy framework on children has been continuously reviewed, amended, and supplemented toward greater comprehensiveness, feasibility, and specificity, ranging from the Law on Children to laws and programmes on education, health, social security, poverty reduction, and the development of ethnic minority and mountainous areas.

In the field of education, guidelines on the universalization of preschool education for children aged 3–5, tuition exemption and support for preschool children and general education students, and investments in STEM practice classrooms have opened new learning spaces, contributing to improved access to quality education for children nationwide. In the fields of health care and social security, policies on expanded immunization programmes, primary health care, support for children in particularly difficult circumstances, children with disabilities, orphaned children, and children affected by natural disasters, epidemics, and climate change have increasingly been implemented in a coordinated manner.

Notably, the child protection system is being developed in a multi-tiered manner, connecting families, schools, communities, and competent authorities. Efforts to prevent and combat child abuse “have seen significant progress, with strict handling of child abuse cases”, thereby raising public awareness and strengthening society-wide responsibility for child protection.

Alongside affirming the efforts and achievements attained, Deputy Prime Minister Le Thanh Long frankly pointed out emerging challenges in child-related work. According to the Deputy Prime Minister, “the gap in development opportunities between regions and between ethnic minority children and children in urban areas remains significant; many children with disabilities, children living in poverty, migrant children, and children affected by natural disasters, epidemics, and climate change continue to face disadvantages; cases of child abuse and trafficking still occur”. At the same time, “socioeconomic fluctuations and global challenges such as natural disasters, climate change, and digital transformation also pose new requirements for ensuring the rights and welfare of children”.

Based on this assessment, the Government is oriented toward further elevating policies on children in the new period. The Deputy Prime Minister emphasized: “In the new phase of development, the Government of Viet Nam continues to identify the protection of children's rights as a national strategic priority and is committed to vigorously and comprehensively implementing policies to ensure that all children can develop fully, safely, and equally”. Five key task groups are clearly outlined, including: strengthening evidence-based national strategic planning to guide policy development, socioeconomic planning, and national target programmes related to children; enhancing the capacity of the child protection system, especially for vulnerable groups; developing and modernizing health care, education, and social protection services toward equitable and high-quality access; implementing pilot projects and innovative models in child protection and development; and effectively mobilizing technical support, experience, and strategic resources from international partners.

Within this policy landscape, UNICEF continues to be a close and strategic partner of Viet Nam. Speaking at the ceremony, Ms. June Kunugi, UNICEF Regional Director for East Asia and the Pacific, and Ms. Sophie Kiladze, Chair of the United Nations Committee on the Rights of the Child, both highly appreciated the achievements Viet Nam has made in the care, education, and protection of children. Ms. June Kunugi affirmed that UNICEF will “continue to stand side by side with Viet Nam; together, we can turn ambition into action and make Viet Nam a model for children's rights in the region and around the world”.

From the perspective of the body overseeing the Convention on the Rights of the Child, Ms. Sophie Kiladze recalled the historic milestone when “35 years ago, Viet Nam made history by becoming the first country in Asia and the second in the world to ratify the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child”. According to her, this step “not only reflects Viet Nam’s strong commitment to children, but also demonstrates Viet Nam’s vision for a future built on full respect for the dignity of every child, and—most importantly—a vision that recognizes children as rights-holders”.

The remarks delivered at the ceremony indicate that Viet Nam’s policy toward children is shifting from an approach based on “care and support” to one focused on “empowerment and opportunity”, placing children at the centre of the development strategy. In a new context marked by intertwined opportunities and challenges, the steadfast identification of child protection and development as a national strategic priority, together with the expansion of cooperation and the mobilization of the strength of the entire political system and the international community, will serve as the foundation for Viet Nam to build a humane and sustainable society where every child can live safely, healthily, happily, and fully realize their potential.