Vietnam Approves National Child Development Strategy for 2026–2035, Sets Ambitious Targets for Child Welfare

Hanoi, The Gulf Observer: Vietnam has approved a national strategy on child development for 2026–2035, with a vision to 2045, aimed at ensuring the comprehensive development, protection and well-being of children while providing them with equitable access to essential services.

Deputy Prime Minister Phạm Thị Thanh Trà signed Decision No. 2033/QĐ-TTg, endorsing the strategy, which establishes a comprehensive framework for improving children’s healthcare, education, nutrition, protection and social welfare across the country.

Under the strategy, Vietnam aims to ensure that by 2030 all children live in safe, healthy and happy environments, enjoy their fundamental rights and have equal access to quality healthcare, education, protection and other essential services.

The initiative also seeks to promote children’s physical, intellectual and social development, while strengthening their life skills, digital competencies and creativity, particularly among disadvantaged children and those living in difficult areas.

By 2045, all Vietnamese children are expected to fully enjoy their rights and have equitable access to high-quality healthcare, education, culture, sports, social welfare and other essential services. The strategy also envisions children becoming capable of adapting to the digital society and international integration, contributing to national prosperity and sustainable development.

Healthcare, Immunisation and Education Targets

To improve child health, nutrition and physical development, the strategy sets a target of reducing the infant mortality rate to below 10 deaths per 1,000 live births by 2030 and below eight by 2035.

Vaccination coverage among children under the expanded immunisation programme is expected to exceed 95 per cent by 2030 and remain above this level through 2035.

In education, the strategy aims to increase preschool enrolment to 97 per cent by 2030 and maintain at least this level through 2035. By 2035, 95 per cent of students are expected to receive life-skills and digital-skills training to enhance their adaptability to technological advancements and future challenges.

Strengthening Child Protection

The strategy places particular emphasis on protecting children against violence, sexual abuse, exploitation, accidents and injuries, while ensuring appropriate assistance for those facing special circumstances.

It targets an annual reduction of at least five per cent in cases of violence and sexual abuse against children through 2030, followed by a three per cent annual decline during 2031–2035.

The proportion of children aged 5–17 involved in child labour is expected to fall below 1.1 per cent by 2030 and remain below that level through 2035.

Similarly, child deaths resulting from accidents and injuries are targeted to decline to fewer than 12 per 100,000 children by 2030 and fewer than 11 by 2035.

The government also aims to ensure that all children in special circumstances receive appropriate support, intervention and services addressing their basic needs by 2030, with this coverage maintained through 2035.

To promote children’s participation in cultural, sporting and recreational activities, the strategy envisages that 85 per cent of communes, wards and special zones will have facilities dedicated to children’s activities by 2030, increasing to 90 per cent by 2035.

Expanding Child Protection Networks

Another key priority is strengthening family capacities and child protection networks, improving coordination among relevant sectors and accelerating digital transformation in child-related services.

By 2030, Vietnam aims to complete systems for collecting, standardising, updating, connecting and sharing information on children, particularly those who have experienced abuse or face risks of violence, exploitation or abandonment, as well as children in special circumstances.

The proportion of parents and caregivers equipped with the knowledge and skills necessary to support children’s comprehensive development at different stages of life is targeted to reach 85 per cent by 2030 and 95 per cent by 2035.

The strategy also requires all communes, wards and special zones to assign personnel responsible for child-related affairs by 2027. These local authorities must establish channels for receiving, coordinating and addressing child protection information, ensuring access to the National Child Protection Hotline 111 and emergency response mechanisms through 2035.

Comprehensive Implementation Measures

To achieve the established targets, the strategy outlines a range of priority measures, including improving policies and governance, strengthening healthcare and nutrition services, enhancing education quality and developing skills required for the future workforce.

Other priorities include creating safe, healthy and child-friendly environments; expanding children’s access to cultural, sporting and recreational activities; accelerating digital transformation; and improving the management, monitoring and evaluation of child-related data.

The strategy also emphasises raising public awareness of children’s rights and comprehensive development, strengthening parenting and caregiving skills, mobilising lawful resources and expanding international cooperation.

Through these coordinated measures, Vietnam seeks to establish a comprehensive child development framework that protects children’s rights, promotes equal opportunities and prepares younger generations to contribute to the country’s long-term prosperity and sustainable development.