HANOI — Vietnam is taking a strategic step toward reversing its declining birth rate, with new policies aimed at encouraging families to have two children — not just in words, but in meaningful action.
A recent initiative in a major city offers a one-time incentive of VND3 million (approximately US$120) to women who have two children before the age of 35. Though modest in monetary terms, the gesture carries significant symbolic weight. More than just financial aid, it sends a broader message: the state stands behind young families.
This move reflects a growing recognition among local governments that slogans alone are not enough to address complex population challenges. Across Vietnam, several provinces are adopting proactive and context-specific strategies to support reproductive health and promote sustainable fertility.
Holistic Approaches in the North
Quang Ninh Province in northern Vietnam is setting a notable example. Officials there have gone beyond simple birth incentives by integrating population policy with long-term goals for reproductive health and population quality. The province offers free prenatal and newborn screenings, while also investing in youth-focused healthcare and sex education — laying the foundation for more informed and prepared future parents.
Similarly, in Ninh Binh Province, the principle of “having two children and raising them well” is now part of official criteria for recognizing “cultural families” and evaluating new-style rural communes. Other provinces, such as Da Nang and Ha Tinh, have also launched flexible, tailored programs that align with their unique socio-economic conditions.
Barriers Remain for Urban Families
Despite these efforts, the reality for many Vietnamese families — especially in urban areas — remains challenging. The rising cost of living, along with the pressures of housing, education, and healthcare, makes child-rearing a heavy burden. For many couples, the lack of practical support for mothers further compounds their hesitation to expand their families.
These economic pressures intersect with shifting cultural values. Younger generations are increasingly prioritizing careers, personal growth, and lifestyle freedom over early marriage and childbearing. As a result, many are marrying later and postponing parenthood, reducing the likelihood of having two children within their reproductive window.
Toward a Family-Friendly Society
To achieve sustainable fertility levels, experts argue that Vietnam must build a society that genuinely supports children and families. Improvements in housing, healthcare, education, and public services must place family needs at the center.
In the long term, integrating population education, reproductive health awareness, and parental responsibility into high school and university curricula will better equip young people for family life.
At the national level, there is growing consensus that population policy must be elevated to a core strategic priority — equal in importance to economic development. A robust and coordinated framework is needed, spanning financial incentives, labor policies, education, healthcare, urban planning, and media communication. Above all, the political system must pivot away from its historic emphasis on birth control and toward promoting sustainable fertility.
A Cultural Shift, Not Just a Policy One
While the decision to have children ultimately rests with families, society and the state can — and must — create conditions that support those decisions. When having two children is not only feasible but seen as a fulfilling and admirable life choice, Vietnam’s population policy will begin to take deeper root.
The challenge now is to move beyond slogans and subsidies, toward building a society where family life is supported, celebrated, and sustainable for all.
You Might Be Interested In:
- How to Manag Nausea and Vomiting During Pregnancy?
- How to Deal with Restless Legs at Night During Pregnancy?
- How to Manage Severe Heartburn During Pregnancy?
