Practical action, prioritized resources for children

Vietnam’s 25 million children comprise more than 25% of the population. Children under the age of 6 receive free health insurance, nearly 100% of school-age children attend school, and 95% of children under the age of 1 are fully vaccinated.

Action Month for Children

This year’s Action Month for Children, themed "Practical Action, Prioritizing Resources for Children," was kicked off on June 1 in Hue city by the Ministry of Labor, Invalids, and Social Affairs in collaboration with the Thua Thien-Hue provincial People's Committee. This month, all 63 provinces and cities will promote child care, education, and protection. Each commune is being encouraged to initiate or upgrade a project for children and social organizations are initiating activities for children locally and nationwide.

Nguyen Thi Nga, Deputy Director of the Department of Child Affairs, Ministry of Labor, Invalids and Social Affairs, said: "We organize a communication campaign to showcase successful models and practices in child affairs in various localities. A national online conference will be held to forecast, evaluate, and propose solutions for better implementation of children’s rights."

During a visit to the Hanoi Center for Care for Children with Disabilities, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh stressed the need for decisive actions and increased resources for child protection, care, and education. He urged the community and society to act with the highest responsibility to provide solid support for children.

Child protection, care, and education

Child protection, care, and education are strategic, long-term issues vital for improving the quality of human resources for Vietnam's industrialization, modernization, and international integration. Investing in children is investing in the country's future, and it is the collective responsibility of Party committees, governments, organizations, families, schools, and the whole society. In recent years, Vietnam has enhanced institutions, mechanisms, and policies on child affairs, ensuring uniform implementation from the central to grassroots level.

Last year, the Prime Minister issued Decision 1591 approving the Children's Mental Health Care and Care for Orphaned Children Program for 2023-2030, and Decision 1080 approving the National Committee for Children members list.

The Department of Child Affairs has approved a coordination program between the Ministry of Labor, Invalids, and Social Affairs, the Ministry of Education and Training, the Ministry of Health, and the Police focused on combatting violence and sexual abuse of children. Another coordination program with the National Fund for Vietnamese Children and the Navy Political Department focuses on supporting fishermen’s children.

The National Children's Forum, held annually, provides a platform for children to voice their opinions and aspirations on relevant issues. The coordinated and effective implementation of specific actions and resource prioritization ensures that children are not left behind and reinforces Vietnam's commitment to making people the center, subject, goal, driving force, and resource for development.