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Speech
29 November 2023
Legal Partnership Forum on Building the Socialist Rule-of-Law State of Viet Nam in the New Period Implementation of Resolution 27 & Strengthening Rule of Law
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Speech
29 November 2023
UN Secretary-General's message on World AIDS Day 2023
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Story
28 November 2023
Women affected by HIV striving together for a better life
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Latest
The Sustainable Development Goals in Viet Nam
The Sustainable Development Goals are a global call to action to end poverty, protect the earth's environment and climate, and ensure that people everywhere can enjoy peace and prosperity. These are the goals the UN is working on in Viet Nam.
Publication
19 June 2023
2022 UN COUNTRY ANNUAL RESULTS REPORT VIET NAM
In Viet Nam, 2022 was a year of reopening after two years of closure due to COVID-19. We marked the 45th Anniversary of United Nations (UN) and Viet Nam relations with a visit from UN Secretary-General António Guterres. Celebrations reflected on Viet Nam’s remarkable development journey from a recipient of humanitarian aid to a top contributor to peacekeeping efforts in less than a generation.
Together with the Government of Viet Nam, the UN launched a new five-year “Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework for the 2022–2026 period” or CF in short. In the first year of implementation, COVID-19 response and recovery remained central.
This 2022 UN Country Results Report provides a compact description and analysis of the results that were achieved by the UN Country Team in Viet Nam in 2022, consistent with the CF, highlighting the UN’s socio-economic response to COVID-19. The report also provides information on the UN’s strengthened partnerships with different stakeholders and UN results in terms of the resources raised and spent. The report also presents the UN’s prioritized actions for 2023, the second year of the implementation of the CF.
Story
28 November 2023
Women affected by HIV striving together for a better life
“She was diagnosed with HIV at the age of sixty and very ashamed. She did not want to let her children know and to enroll in treatment. I had to come talking to her in private for several times to change her mind and get her on anti-retroviral medicines.” Said Ms Thanh* of a self-help group of women living with and affected by HIV in Ha Noi city.
“A female sex worker living with HIV who is client of our self-help group had symptoms of sexually transmitted infection (STI) but she kept delaying a visit to the doctor. She only came to us for help when she could not work anymore. And even then, she attempted to drop out of her STI treatment saying it took too long. Many sisters especially in the mountainous areas are like that, lacking awareness to take care of their sexual and reproductive health.” Said Ms Hoai* from Thai Nguyen province.
“One child living with HIV in my province was denied enrolment in primary school. Our self-help group had to approach the school management and relevant authorities to advocate for the rights of this child. Stigma related to HIV still persists and we have to continue raising awareness on HIV, not only focusing on health facilities but also other sectors.” Said Ms. Van* from Bac Ninh province.
Many stories of how women living with and affected by HIV have been helping each other to live a healthier, more fulfilled life were shared at a networking event for women living with and affected by HIV, jointly supported by UNAIDS and UN Women in commemoration of the 2023 World AIDS Day. More than 90 women representing women-led organizations of women living with and affected by HIV from all regions across Viet Nam attended.
The event combined women’s networking with two presentations. The first one was on the existing comprehensive healthcare service package for women living with HIV by the Viet Nam Authority for HIV/AIDS Control (VAAC) and the second one on small credit mechanism for vulnerable women by the Viet Nam Women’s Union. Representatives from women-led organizations also discussed in depth the main findings from a rapid assessment of the needs and capacity of the Viet Nam Network of Women Living with HIV (VNW+) as well as VNW+ engagement in decision making platforms. The assessment was conducted earlier in 2023 by VNW+ with support from the International Community of Women Living with HIV (ICWAP) and UNAIDS Regional Support Team for Asia and the Pacific.
The main areas of need that emerged from that discussion include healthcare for HIV, STIs, cervical cancer and mental health; sustainable livelihood and income generation; addressing discrimination and gender-based violence; and, enhancing the capacity for women living with and affected by HIV and their networks. The participants also came up with recommendations for solutions and actions in the intermediate and longer term.
“Only at this event, I learned of the existence of the TYM** small credit funds for vulnerable women organized by Women’s Union. I wished I have known about TYM earlier and I hope TYM will expand beyond the current 13 provinces so more women in need can get help.”
“We need not only the small credit, but it’s also more important to have orientation for suitable occupation/business that will differ across geographical regions and the profile of women’s group. We also need the skills to effectively manage the funds so it will multiple and in turn can benefit more women.”
Such comments were echoed by many women during the in-depth group discussion.
Addressing VNW+, Ms Caroline Nyamayemombe, acting Head of UN Women in Viet Nam, emphasized the significance of having this networking event on the eve of World AIDS Day and the 16 Days campaign for ending all forms of violence against women.
“People living with HIV including women living with HIV need to have equal chances to access health care and treatment services, resources and opportunities for livelihood for them to live healthy lives and make a contribution to Viet Nam’s development. We need to not only speak up about women’s issues and struggles but also about what women have been able to do for each other and women’s leadership. To address women’s issues we need to work collectively and with innovative partnerships across sectors and organizations. Let us ensure we create opportunities for WLHIV in all their diversities to participate at all levels. UN agencies will be with you on this.”
*Not their real names
**TYM: Abbreviation of the name of a small credit funds for vulnerable women established and operated by Viet Nam Women’s Union
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Story
28 November 2023
Community-led initiative to prevent HIV and gender-based violence among youth
“Part of my job is to do extra curriculum sessions on sexual and reproductive health at junior and secondary high schools.” Said Ms. Phan Thi Thu Trang, a worker at the reproductive health department of the central highland province of Lam Dong’s Centre for Disease Control (CDC). “But I and teachers were not able to help much with questions on LGBT[1] persons.”
“We were aware of cases of discrimination and even physical violence against boys who are seen as not masculine enough.” She continued. “All the teachers could do was impose disciplinary measures following the incidence. We haven’t been able to address the root cause of this discrimination and violence, which is the lack of knowledge on sexual orientation and gender identity and expression[2] among our young students.”
Ms. Trang is one participant at a provincial training workshop in Lam Dong province conducted by a group of community members coming from the Viet Nam Network of People Living with HIV (VNP+) and the Mekong Delta Network of Young Key Populations. The provincial information, education and communications (IEC) training focused on building knowledge and youth-targeted communication skills on comprehensive sexuality issues. The aim is to prevent HIV and gender-based violence (GBV) among youth.
The IEC training is an initiative of the community by community to fill the gap of comprehensive sexuality education in and out of school. The training workshop is technically supported by UNAIDS and UNFPA, and co-hosted by Ho Chi Minh City AIDS Association and provincial authorities working on health and youth issues, including provincial CDCs, the Youth Union and Department of Training and Education. In 2023, staff working directly with youth from relevant provincial authorities and in schools and colleges from the three provinces of An Giang, Dong Thap and Lam Dong received the first training. These three provinces were chosen because data shows that they have increasing HIV infections among young men who have sex with men (MSM).
“We know the linkage between SOGIE awareness on the one hand and HIV prevention awareness and uptake on the other hand. We also see the knowledge gap on this linkage in high schools and colleges. So in recent years we proactively approached some schools and colleges, first in Ho Chi Minh City and subsequently in adjacent provinces, where the need is high for IEC activities on these issues.” Said Dr. Nguyen Tan Thu one training facilitator for these training workshops, also a medical doctor who is member of VNP+ and of the LGBTIQ+ communities.
“It was very helpful that we were able to take reference of the latest UN guidance on CSE in and out of school to update and improve the training contents, thanks to technical support by UNAIDS and UNFPA.” Dr. Thu added.
The five-day training workshop was designed to be highly interactive and embracing learner-centred approach. The training participants got the opportunity to learn about and reflect upon SOGIE and CSE issues mainly through training facilitators who are young LGBTQI+ persons and through group work.
“This training was unconventional yet very interesting and eye opening, compared to all the training I attended previously. I did not expect that I would stay fully engaged throughout the entire 5-day training.” Said Mr. Hoang Van Ngung a high school teacher who is also in charge of Youth Union activities in his school in a rural district of Dong Thap province.
“I not only learned new knowledge, but also very importantly skills to develop and conduct an effective communication session for young people.” Said Ms. Trang of Lam Dong provincial CDC. “I got first-hand understanding of the LGBT community and now I am very sympathetic towards the community. The training allowed me to connect better with students. After one communication session I had conducted following this training, a male student voluntarily shared his experience of being stigmatized due to his specific gender orientation and expression.”
Post-training evaluation from the three workshops show that all training participants had positive feedback on both training contents and training methodology, with special appreciation for the opportunity to engage with representatives of the young key populations, including young gay men and transgender women who are providing HIV prevention services for their own communities.
“Community leadership is key for an effective HIV response. Communities know best the needs of their peers and how to reach them, enroll them in HIV services and provide follow-up support to keep them on HIV treatment for their good health but also for the virus not to transmit further.” Said Mr. Quinten Lataire, UNAIDS Country Director a.i.
“We need to provide more support for communities and an enabling environment for stronger community-led responses so Viet Nam can achieve its national goal of ending AIDS by 2030.” Added Mr. Lataire.
[1] LGBT persons include lesbian, gay, bi-sexual and transgender persons
[2] SOGIE is the abbreviation for sexual orientation, gender identity and expression
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Story
18 September 2023
The Journey of Minh Tu
“Once, I was assisting two young customers, then suddenly there was a customer who was over 40 approaching me and asking me very bluntly, “Are you a boy or a girl?”. At that time, I hadn't taken testosterone yet, so I had no choice but to say I was a girl. She immediately grabbed my chest to confirm if what I said was true or not and then left, leaving me and the other two customers astonished. I was really shocked, but as an employee, I had to continue and try to get the job done.”
"Since I was a child, I have already had special affection for girls, but I didn't think I was different. I secretly liked girls but never confessed to them. When I was in 8th grade, there was a girl in my class who had a “masculine” personality like mine (although she still looked like a girl) and boldly showed her affection for another girl. That motivated me and helped me muster enough courage to write a letter to the girl I liked. One time, she called me “anh” (a Vietnamese pronoun for men) , and that made me really happy.
I came out to my family when I was just a little kid. My mom and I only had each other. Whenever I had a crush on someone, I would come home and tell my mom about it. So maybe somehow my mom had always known that I liked girls. When I was in 7th grade, she asked directly, “You like girls, don’t you?”. At that moment, I was too stunned to speak. “Yes”, I finally answered.
My mom didn't scold me, she just said, “I'm afraid you'll suffer”. At that time, she thought I was a lesbian.
As I grew up, I did more research [to understand myself better]. I joined FTM Vietnam and Transguy support social groups to learn from other trans men who share similar experiences. To be able to live as my true self, five years ago, I started using hormones and then got chest surgery. [...] My hormone checks in Thailand went smoothly without any issues, but when I returned to Viet Nam, it was quite challenging to find someone to administer my hormone injections. Anyway, overall, it wasn't too daunting. For my chest surgery, there were no major problems since I chose surgeons who have had experience in doing transgender surgeries. Nevertheless, during my company’s routine health check-ups, some healthcare staff would refer to me as “chị” (Vietnamese pronoun for women) based on the gender in my identification document. When I tried to correct the staff, they yelled out, “Are you sure [that you are a man]?” several times. This made my colleagues burst into laughter. Since then, I got very anxious whenever I had to go for a routine health check-up. I am quite reluctant to use public healthcare services because of that reason.
Throughout my journey of discovering myself and affirming my gender identity using medical interventions, I wish there were a professional psychological counselor to guide me. It would have been better than facing it all alone. Even though my mother and friends support me wholeheartedly, they cannot fully comprehend what a transgender person needs.
In the working environment, I have to face other people’s scrutiny. After graduating and entering the workforce, I decided to change my appearance by dressing in male clothing and cutting my hair short. But this made finding a job quite difficult. Once, a friend introduced me to a sales position at a mineral water company. After the interview, they informed me that their boss “didn't accept someone like me”.
When I worked as a tour guide at an amusement park, I hadn't started taking testosterone yet, so my voice was still quite feminine in contrast to my appearance. Rather than paying attention to what I was saying, most customers were only curious about whether I was a man or a woman. It made me feel quite disheartened. I was assisting two young customers when a customer who was over 40 approached me and asked me very bluntly, “Are you a man or a woman?”. I had no choice but to say I was a girl. She immediately grabbed my chest to confirm and then left, leaving me and the other two customers astonished. I was really shocked, but as an employee, I had to continue and try to get the job done.
Too many work-related complications arose just because my voice didn't match my appearance. This led me to start taking testosterone, even though I knew it would have a significant impact on my health. After the first dose of testosterone, my voice became significantly deeper, and almost everyone started seeing me as a man, which made it easier for me to do my job. However, there were some male colleagues who knew about my transgender identity and continuously asked questions, made rude comments and teased me.
In addition, I also faced challenges when carrying out administrative procedures or accessing public services. Afraid that the officials might be confused about my gender, I always inform them in advance that the gender on my documents is female. They would often confirm my gender again and give me eye rolls. Once, when I was registering a business, my gender was mistakenly recorded as male, so I had to go to the business registration office to correct it and explain myself to the staff. But it was genuinely frustrating because they said they only issued the documents based on my appearance and the photo on my citizen ID card, so it wasn't their fault.
I hope that the Gender Affirmation Law will soon be adopted so that transgender persons like me can have equal rights and face fewer difficulties when participating in society.”
- Minh Tu, Transgender man
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Story
26 September 2023
Breakthroughs to achieve Việt Nam’s Sustainable Development Goals by 2030
On the 18 and 19 September 2023, the world leaders will gather in New York for the SDG Summit, a pivotal moment to reignite our commitment to the SDGs and to accelerate our progress. These global goals are our shared roadmap, and embodies our collective hopes for a better, more equitable world.
Ms. La, a Mong living in the remote reaches of Hà Giang Province, dreams of a brighter future for her two children. One where they complete their education, find stable jobs, and live without fear of domestic violence. But Ms. La's journey has been fraught with hardships. Her region, characterised by its harsh climate and rugged terrain, is particularly vulnerable to extreme weather events. The COVID-19 pandemic only added to her struggles. Markets closed, transportation halted, and her children's education was disrupted. For Ms. La, the necessities we often take for granted, such as clean water and sanitation, remained out of reach. Her story reflects the essence of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), highlighting the importance of goals on poverty eradication (SDG 1), hunger alleviation (SDG 2), health and well-being (SDG 3), quality education (SDG 4), gender equality (SDG 5), and clean water and sanitation (SDG 6). Her journey underscores why these global objectives matter on a personal level.
On September 18-19, 2023, the world leaders will gather in New York for the SDG Summit, a pivotal moment to reignite our commitment to the SDGs and to accelerate our progress. These global goals are our shared roadmap, and embodies our collective hopes for a better, more equitable world. Việt Nam’s presentation of ambitious National Commitments towards SDGs acceleration is a testament to the country’s unwavering support to multilateralism anchored in the United Nations, and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the 17 SDGs.
Halfway to 2030, we find our global human family struggling with increased challenges and multiple crises that have severely derailed SDG progress. A recent report by the UN Secretary-General revealed that only 12 percent of assessable SDG targets are currently on track. While Việt Nam is fairing slightly better than the global average, it too faces its share of challenges. The second Voluntary National Review (VNR) by Việt Nam, presented to the High-Level Political Forum in New York in July 2023, celebrates substantial progress in poverty reduction, basic access to clean water and sanitation, internet and ICT access, and renewable energy capacity. However, most of the SDGs remain elusive and out of reach with less than seven years remaining. Governments, business, academia, civil society, communities and individuals around the globe urgently need to change course and innovate to secure the breakthroughs required to achieve the SDGs by 2030. The Government of Việt Nam’s leadership is key to accelerating SDG breakthroughs.
The United Nations in Việt Nam continues to advocate and support the Government in expanding access to decent jobs and improving social protection and social care as one of the high impact initiatives for SDG acceleration. From 2020 to 2022, increases in coverage of social insurance from 32.6 percent to 38.0 percent of the working-age labor force, in health insurance from 90.9 percent to 92.0 percent, and in unemployment insurance from 26.8 percent to 31.2 percent of the labor force helped many vulnerable groups in coping with shocks and crises.
Ms. La´s story and our experience during the COVID-19 pandemic underscore practically what a study by the International Labour Organisation (ILO) in Việt Nam revealed scientifically. An investment of one million đồng in social policies, such as in social protection, education, and healthcare, can lead to an expansion of gross domestic product by 3.2 million đồng.
These encouraging outcomes are an example of the value of implementing the SDGs with a specific focus to the most vulnerable groups in the population, such as Ms. La and her family.
Implementation of the SDGs can only be attained with equal commitments to and focus on the means of implementation, including effective financing, data, institutional arrangement, and policy coherence.
Now is the time to reignite our commitment and actions towards SDG acceleration by building on such positive progress. Now is the time to mobilise stronger participation and collaboration among all actors in the government and society. And now is the time to undertake more robust reforms and increase investments in accelerating SDG transformations.
Việt Nam set ambitious targets, committed to major transitions, and initiated action through various programs and partnerships. Delivering on these transitions requires a strategic plan of action with dedicated resources, turning intentions into tangible results. The Just Energy Transition Partnership (JETP) and the National Action Plan on Food Systems Transformation exemplify and align with the priority transitions identified by the UN globally to accelerate SDG progress.
The UN stands steadfast alongside the Government and people of Việt Nam, working hand in hand with all partners and stakeholders to accelerate the implementation of all 17 Goals. Together, we must aim to achieve breakthroughs in implementing the priority transitions, accelerate the accomplishment of the SDGs, and propel Việt Nam toward its goal of becoming a high-income country by 2045.
Ms. La's dream for her children mirrors our collective aspiration for a more sustainable, inclusive, and resilient future. It is a reminder that the SDGs are not just global goals; they are the individual stories of hope and transformation that unfold every day, in every corner of Việt Nam and the world. It is our mission to ensure that these stories end with success.
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Story
07 March 2023
Harnessing Technology and Innovation for Social Inclusion & Gender Equality
“Technology compensates for my eyes", said Huong, a visually impaired student at Nguyen Dinh Chieu School in Ha Noi.
Huong is one of many whose life has been transformed by digitalization. Before, Huong’s mother, Ms Hanh, sat next to her every night and every morning to reach each page for her to study. Now, Huong can use smart tools to access printed information just like a sighted person. This has opened a world of possibilities.
We have all experienced the transformative power of digitalization. If not, this is what Huong tells us. Her story is an example of how the digital revolution creates enabling conditions in which all can thrive.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, the whole world shifted into online spaces like never before. It proved that digitalization transforms how we work, learn, interact, and communicate. It opens new opportunities and breaks down traditional barriers to actively participate. It can improve well-being, education, health and livelihoods. For women and girls, digital transformation provides a unique opportunity to challenge gender stereotypes and shape their futures. Huong’s story is an excellent testament to this.
Yet, innovation and technology also risk perpetuating gender stereotypes and exacerbating inequalities. Women’s exclusion from the digital world has shaved $1 trillion from the gross domestic product of low- and middle-income countries in the last decade— a loss that will grow to $1.5 trillion by 2025 if no action is taken. Technological and digital innovation create, eliminate, and transform jobs, all in parallel.[1] With IR4.0, automation and technological advancements will drastically cut demand for unskilled and low-skilled labour. Up to 86% of workers in Vietnam's textile and footwear industries are at risk of losing their job within the next 15 years.[2]
This year’s International Women’s Day spotlights the digital divide between men and women and calls for an inclusive digital and technological transformation for everyone, everywhere. This theme is particularly timely and relevant in Viet Nam as the Government embarks on an ambitious digitalization journey. Digital transformation is needed in society and in the economy. It is considered as a vehicle to increase productivity, stimulate innovation, and ensure that Viet Nam remains competitive internationally. Viet Nam has already come a long way in providing equal access to technology, particularly to information and communications technology (ICT). Across the country’s 63 provinces, there is no noticeable difference between women and men, girls and boys, in access to ICT, exposure to media, mobile phone use, and having basic ICT skills.[3] 91% of women and girls in Viet Nam use cell phones[4].
Although having a device is critical, it is not sufficient for women and girls to harness the potential of digitalization.[5] Women must also have equal opportunities to shape technologies and lead innovation. This starts in school. Boys significantly outnumber girls in pursuing careers in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM). In Viet Nam, only 36% of female graduates completing tertiary education are in STEM fields. 78% of students enrolled at Polytechnic University in Hanoi are male.[6] Girls who pursue STEM education must first surmount a series of systemic, social and cultural barriers. Research finds that both teachers and female students had internalized cultural biases about their suitability to pursue STEM.
With the gap between girls and boys pursuing STEM, it comes as no surprise that innovation and tech industries have the greatest gender imbalance of all sectors.[8] [9] According to the International Labor Organization, women account for only 37% of the tech workforce.[10] [11]
Studies show that companies with greater gender parity do better financially. Bringing women into technology results in more creative solutions and has greater potential for innovations that meet women’s needs and promote gender equality. A UNESCO conference held in Hanoi in 2015 already advocated that “the world needs science and science needs women.” [13]
The equal inclusion of girls in STEM fields today lays the foundation for Viet Nam’s prosperous digital transformation tomorrow. To meet the aspiration of becoming a high-income country by 2045, Viet Nam’s digital journey must include all citizens as active contributors. This will also prove key to unlocking Viet Nam’s continuous economic growth [14] and achieving greater social inclusion in line with the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. Three steps to take:
Ensure gender-responsive policies on digital transformation and innovation.
Break down barriers for girls to become future innovators and leaders in STEM.
Anticipate the future of work. Ensure access to upskilling and reskilling programmes.
Let’s not replicate barriers for women and girls’ participation in the workplace of the future. On International Women's Day, join us in committing to a world where innovation and technology are harnessed to create a more equitable and just society.
Pauline Tamesis is the Resident Coordinator of the UN in Viet Nam. For more information on UN in Viet Nam's Policy Brief DigitALL - Innovation and technology for Gender Equality in Viet Nam, see: https://vietnam.un.org/en/221387-policy-brief-digitall-innovation-and-technology-gender-equality-viet-nam for both English and Vietnamese versions.
References:
[1] Commission on the Status of Women Sixty-seventh session 6–17 March 2023 Item 3 (a) of the provisional agenda*, entitled “Women 2000: gender equality, development and peace for the twenty-first century”: implementation of strategic objectives and action in critical areas of concern and further actions and initiatives, p. 9
[2] Tri, Minh Nguyen, Research in World Economy, “Impact of Industrial Revolution 4.0 on the Labour market in Viet Nam, DOI: 10.5430/rwe.v12n1p94
[3] UNICEF, Viet Nam SDGCW Survey 2020-2021 https://www.unicef.org/vietnam/media/8696/file/Mass%20media%20&%20ICT.pdf
[4] WPS Index 2021-2022, page 85 https://giwps.georgetown.edu/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/WPS-Index-2021.pdf
[5] Commission on the Status of Women Sixty-seventh session 6–17 March 2023 Item 3 (a) of the provisional agenda*, entitled “Women 2000: gender equality, development and peace for the twenty-first century”: implementation of strategic objectives and action in critical areas of concern and further actions and initiatives.
[6] 2021. “Sinh Viên Nữ Trong Khối Ngành Stem Trên Thế Giới và Việt Nam - Thực Trạng và Bài Học.” Tạp Chí Công Thương. September 17, 2021. https://tapchicongthuong.vn/bai-viet/sinh-vien-nu-trong-khoi-nganh-stem-tren-the-gioi-va-viet-nam-thuc-trang-va-bai-hoc-83675.htm.
[7] Commission on the Status of Women Sixty-seventh session 6–17 March 2023 Item 3 (a) of the provisional agenda*, entitled “Women 2000: gender equality, development and peace for the twenty-first century”: implementation of strategic objectives and action in critical areas of concern and further actions and initiatives, p. 6
[8] ONLINE, TUOI TRE. 2022. “Ngành Công Nghệ Thông Tin ‘Khát’ Nhân Lực Nữ.” TUOI TRE ONLINE. August 15, 2022. https://tuoitre.vn/nganh-cong-nghe-thong-tin-khat-nhan-luc-nu-20220815132455884.htm.
[9] “Women Levelling the Playing Field in Tech.” 2022. En.vcci.com.vn. June 4, 2022. https://en.vcci.com.vn/women-levelling-the-playing-field-in-tech.
[10] UNWOMEN, 2019. Country Gender Equality Prole – Viet Nam
[11] “Vietnamese Women Are Increasingly Well Prepared for Decision-Making Roles in Businesses.” 2020. Www.ilo.org. November 17, 2020. https://www.ilo.org/hanoi/Informationresources/Publicinformation/Pressreleases/WCMS_761182/lang--en/index.htm.
[12] International Monetary Fund (IMF), 2018. https://www.imf.org/en/Blogs/Articles/2018/11/28/blog-economic-gains-from-gender-inclusion-even-greater-than-you-thought.
[13] Policy Dialogue “Gender Equality in digital transformation in Viet Nam: opportunities and challenges’, 3rd March 2023, Ha Noi
[14] https://www.imf.org/en/Blogs/Articles/2018/11/28/blog-economic-gains-from-gender-inclusion-even-greater-than-you-thought
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Press Release
06 November 2023
National Consultation Workshop in Viet Nam Marks a Key Milestone in the Development of the National Action Plan on Women, Peace, and Security
Recognizing the paramount importance of the Women, Peace, and Security agenda in the context of Viet Nam, the participants engaged in robust deliberations. Key topics on the agenda included the review and refinement of the draft NAP WPS, fostering efficient coordination throughout the development process, and securing necessary financing for the realization of the NAP WPS objectives.
The event symbolizes a significant step in Viet Nam's commitment to promoting gender equality, peace, and security. By bringing together diverse stakeholders and fostering collaboration, Viet Nam aims to address critical issues and establish a framework for a more inclusive, secure, and peaceful society.
The workshop stands as a strong testament to Viet Nam's dedication to realizing the principles of the Women, Peace, and Security Agenda that had been established by the United Nations Security Council in October 2000 through the Resolution 1325 (UNSCR 1325) and its subsequent Resolutions on women, peace, and security.
Speaking at the workshop, United Nations Resident Coordinator in Viet Nam Mrs. Pauline Tamesis said “The NAP being discussed today represents a significant step towards a more inclusive, equal, and secure world for Vietnamese women and girls. It underscores the importance of women's participation in the realms of foreign politics, defense, security, and their vital role in preserving international peace and security. On this journey, let us remember that we are not just shaping a document, but we are shaping the future of women and girls in Viet Nam and the peace and security of this nation”.
NAP WPS will become a blueprint for Viet Nam in localizing the WPS agenda into Viet Nam’s unique culture and context encompassing the four pillars of WPS agenda - prevention, protection, participation and relief and recovery – and the emerging security threats such as climate change, disasters, cybersecurity, and pandemics.
The National Drafting Committee Members comprised of representatives from MOFA, MOLISA, MOD, MPS, MOH, MONRE, MPI, MOIC, MARD, MOCST, MOJ, CEMA, NA, VWU and YU. The Committee and the leading ministry, MOFA expect to submit the final draft to the Prime Minister’s Office for review in December 2023.
- End
For media inquiries and further information, please contact:
Ms. Hoang Thao
Communications and Advocacy Analyst, UN Women Viet Nam
hoang.thao@unwomen.org
Ms. Yoomi Jun
Communications Officer, UN Women Indonesia
yoomi.jun@unwomen.org
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Press Release
23 October 2023
IFAD and Viet Nam celebrate 30 years of partnership to improve rural lives
IFAD Associate Vice President, Corporate Services Department, Guoqi Wu, was also present at the event. "IFAD's commitment to Viet Nam extends beyond economic development,” he said. “Given Viet Nam’s vulnerability to climate change, we are prioritizing climate adaptation for small-scale farmers and engaging communities to adopt climate-informed approaches while equipping them with the necessary tools and knowledge. Our work has empowered rural women and young people, including those from ethnic minorities, fostering their active participation in sustainable development.”
Over the last 30 years, IFAD has supported over 16 projects in Viet Nam, mobilizing more than US $788 million in financing to improve the lives of 735,000-plus families. These projects focus on activities that have the greatest impact on residual poverty in rural areas, reflecting the emerging challenges and opportunities of a lower-middle-income country, a changing economic structure and growing urbanization.
"Our partnership with Viet Nam has been characterized by shared goals, mutual trust, and impactful interventions,” said Ambrosio Barros, IFAD Country Director for Viet Nam. “We’ve focused on market-led innovations, institutional and policy reform, and building capacities of local governments, farmers and rural people. We’re proud to have made significant strides in reducing poverty and enhancing livelihoods,” he added.
IFAD’s support has helped generate new jobs, increased incomes, and facilitated the formation of saving and credit groups, promoting financial inclusion and economic empowerment. Going forward, IFAD’s partnership with Viet Nam will focus on addressing the impacts of climate change and ensuring the full participation of marginalized groups, Wu noted. IFAD will continue on this journey with Viet Nam, leveraging and deepening this partnership to build a more equitable and sustainable future, leaving no one behind.
Representatives from various ministries of the government, the United Nations, international organizations, and development partners attended the event.
Currently, IFAD has invested US $86 million in Viet Nam, distributed across two ongoing projects implemented by Commercial Smallholder Support Project in Bac Kan and Cao Bang (CSSP) and Climate Smart Agricultural Value Chain Development in Ben Tre and Tra Vinh Provinces (CSAT).
Read more about IFAD’s work in Viet Nam
For media inquiries, please contact:
Nguyen Thu Hoai
IFAD Viet Nam
Email: n.thuhoai@ifad.org
Phone: 0888697278
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Press Release No.: IFAD/104/2023
IFAD is an international financial institution and a United Nations specialized agency. Based in Rome, Italy – the United Nations food and agriculture hub – IFAD invests in rural people, empowering them to reduce poverty, increase food security, improve nutrition, and strengthen resilience. Since 1978, we have provided more than USD 24 billion in grants and low-interest loans to fund projects in developing countries.
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Press Release
12 October 2023
Solutions to support women-owned businesses to participate in the supply chains
The workshop titled "Empowering Women-Owned Businesses and Fostering Gender-Responsive Practices in Supply Chains" was jointly organized by the Viet Nam Women Entrepreneurs Council, the Viet Nam Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VCCI), the United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women (UN Women), and the Joint Stock Commercial Bank for Investment and Development of Viet Nam (BIDV), with invaluable support from the Australian Government.
In Viet Nam, women now represent over 20% of small and medium-sized business owners, with 51% of Viet Namese enterprises having women among their ownership ranks—a higher proportion compared to other countries. However, women-owned businesses predominantly occupy lower-tier positions within various industries' supply chains, often struggling to meet the procurement requirements set by larger corporations.
In his presentation, Mr. Nguyen Hoa Cuong, Vice Director, the Central Institute for Economic Management (CIEM), under the Ministry of Planning and Investment, has identified several key factors contributing to this issue. These include:
Low competitiveness, with many women engaged in lower-skilled roles.
Limited enterprise administration capacity and restricted access to information and technology.
The "dual responsibility" that many women bear, dividing their time between family and business.
A lack of support networks tailored to women entrepreneurs.
An insufficient focus on gender-balanced intervention policies by enterprise leaders, resulting in slow progress.
During the workshop, Ms. Caroline Nyamayemobe, Acting Head of Office, UN Women Viet Nam, emphasized, "Evidence shows that countries with greater gender equality experience faster economic growth and increased competitiveness. Prioritizing procurement from women-owned and gender-responsive businesses is a catalyst for women's economic empowerment and gender equality in Viet Nam. Moreover, this approach enhances the prestige and competitive edge of enterprises during the integration process. It is a mutually beneficial and astute choice."
The workshop offered a platform for businesses to gain insights into policies, programs, initiatives, and practical solutions that support the participation of women-owned businesses in domestic and international supply chains. Participants shared their hands-on experiences in advancing gender equality within business operations, particularly in procurement activities.
In a notable demonstration of commitment to women's empowerment, 24 Vietnamese business leaders signed a CEO's Statement of Support for the Women's Empowerment Principles (WEPs). This gesture underscores their dedication to empowering women in the workplace, in the market, and within the community. With these new signatories, the total number of Vietnamese businesses endorsing and supporting the WEPs now stands at 174.
This workshop is part of a series of activities commemorating Viet Nam Entrepreneurs' Day on October 13 and Viet Nam Women's Day on October 20, organized by the Viet Nam Chamber of Commerce and Industry and UN Women.
For media inquiries, please contact:
Hoang Bich Thao, UN Women Viet Nam
Email: hoang.thao@unwomen.org
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Press Release
06 October 2023
UN Women launches song writing contest to promote gender equality in Viet Nam
The competition is designed to inspire and engage all Vietnamese citizens, both within the country and abroad, as well as foreigners residing, working, studying, and contributing to Viet Nam's cultural landscape. Participants are encouraged to compose songs that envision a sustainable and equitable future, where every individual, regardless of their gender, is treated with respect and empowered to pursue their aspirations without the constraints of stereotypes or barriers.
Speaking at the competition's grand opening, Ms. Caroline Nyamayemombe, Head of UN Women Viet Nam a.i, emphasized the unique power of music to transcend linguistic and cultural boundaries, saying, "Music possesses the remarkable ability to bridge gaps and connect our hearts in ways that ordinary language cannot. This competition serves as a platform for artists, musicians, and storytellers to leverage their creativity and talent in the pursuit of a more inclusive and just society."
The prizes for the competition include:
First Prize (in-kind): 6,000,000 VND
Two Second Prizes (in-kind): 4,000,000 VND each
Two Third Prizes (in-kind): 3,000,000 VND each
To be eligible for the competition, entries must be original compositions that have not been previously submitted to other creative contests and must be free of any copyright or authorship disputes. The Organizing Committee will accept entries from October 5, 2023, until 5:00 p.m. on November 16, 2023.
The Song Writing Contest coincides with the celebration of Viet Nam’s Women's Day on October 20 and aligns with the global campaign 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence, observed from November 25 to December 10.
For media inquiries, please contact:
Hoang Thao, UN Women Viet Nam hoang.thao@unwomen.org
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Press Release
25 September 2023
Increasing standard and quality compliance capacity of the Viet Nam’s tropical fruit value chains to promote exports
About 200 delegates including representatives from agencies under the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, Ministry of Industry and Trade and Ministry of Science and Technology; Representatives of local authorities and enterprises from key provinces in Viet Nam's fruit production, processing, and export attended the workshop online and in-person.
The objective of the workshop is to disseminate the results of the project "Improving the quality standard capacity in the Mango and Pomelo value chains in the Mekong River Delta” period of 2020-2023 implemented by UNIDO in collaboration with the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development in provinces such as Dong Thap, Tien Giang, Ben Tre...
In the opening remarks, Mr. Le Thanh Hoa, Deputy Director of National Agro-Forestry-Fishery Quality, Processing and Market Development Authority (NAFIQPM), Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development emphasized the importance of increasing quality and standard compliance capacity to promote Vietnamese fruit exports. Mr. Le Thanh Hoa said: “Viet Nam is an agricultural exporter and has achieved many achievements in recent years. Vegetables and fruits are key products that contribute greatly (about 20%) to export turnover. However, due to the regulations of importing countries, although there are free trade agreements, issues of quality standards and food safety still greatly affect the export of fruits and vegetables. The project has supported the export of fruits and vegetables in the past 3 years. According to MARD's assessment, these are very meaningful activities in improving the quality and standard compliance capacity of Viet Nam's fruit and vegetable industry to continue affirming its position and promoting exports. I hope that with the support of the project, Vietnamese fruit and vegetable products will continue to be developed with increasingly stronger brands.”
Ms. Le Thi Thanh Thao, UNIDO Representative in Viet Nam said that standardization in agriculture along with the application of scientific, technological and innovative solutions will pave the way for the sustainable development of Vietnamese agricultural products in the future. Ms. Le Thi Thanh Thao emphasized: “Phase 1 of the Global Quality and Standards Programme (GQSP), of which Viet Nam is one of 8 beneficiary countries, provided technical assistance to enhance compliance capacity for Mango and Pomelo in the Mekong River Delta. We hope that the experience of phase 1 will be applied to other tropical fruits.”
In his welcome remarks, Mr. Etienne Jenni - Programme Manager of the Trade Promotion Division at the Swiss State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO) said that: “Vietnam has become a world champion exporter and a major destination for foreign direct investment. However, in spite of these successes, there are still many companies that have difficulty accessing supply chains. In the agricultural sector, this is also due to their inability to meet standards, technical regulations and relevant market requirements. Switzerland therefore supports the Global Quality Standards Programme (GQSP), which aims to address these challenges and help Vietnamese agricultural producers access markets and benefit from trade liberalization.”
At the workshop, technical support models developed for mango and pomelo export value chains were disseminated, including Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) adoption, applying new post-harvest technology in commercial demonstration chains to manage fruit quality throughout the chain, from planting, disease treatment, harvesting, temperature management, transportation... to significantly increase storage time by 35% (e.g. increasing shelf life of mango up to 40 days, pomelo up to 120 days) allowing sea-freight export to distant markets. The models also built sustainability through a market-oriented approach to commercial viability, reduced post-harvest losses by 15%, diversified processed products for value addition, , adapted to climate change, efficiency and environmental responsibility.
The workshop emphasized the need to leverage synergies across tropical fruit sectors, and raised awareness about cross-sectoral issues, sustainability, climate change, digitalization, value addition and building capacity to effectively reach more actors with greater impact. Exporters, producers, associations, institutes, universities and industry management agencies at national and local levels had access to information about new market opportunities and share a common vision of development of the tropical fruit export industry as well as mutual awareness of common problems and obstacles.
The workshop is also an opportunity to strengthen connections and dialogue between the fruit industry, government, related service providers and stakeholders, and international partners on important issues identified along the fruit value chain, sharing possible solutions, and thereby translate them into recommendations for the development of appropriate industry policies to meet the fruit industry development goals set by the Government.
Also at this workshop, Mr. Nima Bahramalian, UNIDO’s Project Manager of Viet Nam Quality and Standards Program (GQSP Viet Nam), introduced a report analyzing the main reasons of rejections for Vietnamese food and feed exports in general and fruit in particular in 5 markets: Australia, China, EU, Japan, and the US for 10 years (from 2010 to 2020), including bacterial contamination (22%) and hygiene conditions/controls (18%), labeling (14%), veterinary drugs residues (13%), pesticide residues (10%), and additive (7%). The report also introduced Standards Compliance Analytics (SCA) Tool to identify the key challenges faced by exporting countries, compare countries' trade compliance performance across different markets and in relation to specific product groups, and provide recommendations on investment in quality infrastructure, quality policies and quality culture which are focused, interdisciplinary, and effective to improve compliance capacity and meet market requirements.
The rejection data in the global markets of the countries is also accessed at https://hub.unido.org/rejection-data/trade-rejection-analysis.
The phase 1 of Global Quality and Standards Program in Viet Nam (GQSP Viet Nam) is implemented by the United Nations Industrial Development Organization and funded by Switzerland through the Swiss State Secretariat for Economic Affairs to promote trade and competitiveness to facilitate markets access for SMEs.
Phase 2 of the Project will be implemented from October 2023 to 2026 and will focus on improving the competitiveness and sustainability of Vietnamese tropical fruit exports through innovation, diversification, and improvement of quality and standards compliance capacity to meet modern market requirements.
UNIDO will continue to support and cooperate closely with relevant ministries and sectors to expand technical support activities in the fruit industry in the coming time. The main objectives are to i) continue to improve the policy environment more favorable for the development of the industry, raise awareness and enhance quality culture; ii) strengthening capacity and quality infrastructure services; iii) enhance the capacity of small and medium enterprises to comply with quality standards.
This will help Viet Nam's tropical fruit industry be able to meet the requirements of export markets and take advantage of existing opportunities, which will in turn improve the economic efficiency and sustainable development of the industry.
For further information, please contact:
Ms. Hoang Mai Van Anh
Project Coordination
Phone: +84 979 528 798
Email: v.hoang-mai@unido.org
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