United Nations 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.

Learn more

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

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

1 of 5

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.

1 of 5

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

1 of 5

Story

09 December 2022

Dignity, Freedom and Justice for All

“Whereas recognition of the inherent dignity and of the equal and inalienable rights of all members of the human family is the foundation of freedom, justice and peace in the world,” is the first line of the Preamble of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. In one sentence, it encapsulates the principles and values that we, as a human family have promised to uphold and fulfil 74 years ago. It is a powerful reminder of the proclamation made by the United Nations General Assembly on this very day in 1948. Each year, hence, on the 10th of December, we observe Human Rights Day on the anniversary of the adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. By celebrating Human Rights Day, we continue to reaffirm the promise of the Declaration – to uphold universal, indivisible and inalienable human rights and fundamental freedoms for everyone, everywhere. 2023 marks the 45th anniversary of Viet Nam’s membership to the United Nations. During the recent visit of UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres, he reminded us that “Human rights are at the heart of unleashing the best of our societies. They build solidarity. They promote inclusion, equality, and growth. They underwrite freedom. They ensure lasting stability”, emphasizing that upholding human rights in all its dimensions, remain vital to the next chapter of Viet Nam’s development success story. Our world today continues to face a multitude of challenges, from pandemics to conflicts to climate change. Across the globe, social injustice pervades societies; fundamental freedoms of religion and belief, of opinion and expression are under attack; and the vulnerable suffer most from inequality and discrimination, unable to exercise their rights. Viet Nam has not been spared from impact of global crises. While the country is still recovering from the COVID-19 pandemic, it needs at the same time to cope with the increasing food and energy prices from the fallout of the war in Ukraine, while battling natural disasters and impact of climate change. Unfortunately, the poor and those least capable to overcome these shocks disproportionately bear the brunt of these crises. In Viet Nam, remote and ethnic minority communities are being left behind. Only 1/5 of ethnic minority households have access to basic water, sanitation and hygiene services, compared to Kinh and Hoa majority households. Despite high coverage for health insurance, access to health services is low among certain ethnic minority populations. While 87% of Mong women have health insurance, only 37% deliver in a health facility. Maternal mortality is also 2-3 time higher among ethnic minorities than the national average. Early childhood education enrolment amongst 3- to 5-year-olds from ethnic groups is only 66% compared to 92% nationwide. Multi-dimensional poverty among Mong, Dao and Khmer groups are 45%, 20 and 19.2% respectively, while the rate for the majority Kinh group was only 2.8% in 2020. The climate crisis exacerbates vulnerabilities faced by ethnic minority groups. Drought, heat waves and flooding lead to climate change-induced insecurity. Smallholder agriculture, particularly poor, ethnic minority and women farmers are ultimately the most severely impacted. All these development challenges threaten dignity and equality in rights, including health, food, education, an adequate standard of living, social assistance, and even to life itself. The realities that vulnerable individuals and communities face in their lives and livelihoods serve as a reminder and push for our continued action to integrate human rights in all development priorities – from climate action, to labour and social protection, to economic transformation – and put people at the centre of development. On 28 July 2022, the UN General Assembly adopted a historic resolution that gave universal recognition to the human right to a clean, healthy, and sustainable environment (R2HE). This important international legal development reinforces action in over 150 countries where the R2HE is already recognized. Viet Nam’s election to the Human Rights Council for the period 2023-2025 presents a great responsibility but also an important opportunity to redouble efforts in protecting and promoting economic, social, cultural, civil and political rights in line with international human rights standards. Among Viet Nam’s pledges as part of its election to the Human Rights Council, it is encouraging that Viet Nam prioritised upholding its commitments and obligations under the international human rights treaties, of which Viet Nam has ratified 7 out of 9; strengthening education on human rights; and addressing the impacts of climate change on the enjoyment of human rights, with particular attention on the rights of vulnerable groups. As Viet Nam commences its membership to the Human Rights Council, it would be critical to translate these commitments into concrete actions, and to demonstrate even stronger evidence of the protection and promotion of human rights. The United Nations, as a proud and long-standing partner of Viet Nam over the past 45 years, will continue to work closely with the Government of Viet Nam, development partners and civil society, to keep human rights at the centre of all development efforts. Renewed collaboration and cooperation, including meaningful inclusion and participation of diverse non-government actors and communities, will be crucial for promoting the vibrant dialogue needed to help Viet Nam progress on a broad range of human rights. Together, we can fulfil the promise of a human family that upholds dignity, freedom and justice for all. Pauline Tamesis is the UN Resident Coordinator in Viet Nam. To remind us of the relevance and legacy of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and ahead of its 75th Anniversary celebration next year, the United Nations is launching the year-long campaign “UDHR 75: Dignity, Freedom and Justice for All”. For more information, please visit: https://www.ohchr.org/en/get-involved/campaign/human-rights-day

1 of 5

Children studying. Photo credit: UN in Viet Nam/Tran Van Tuy

Story

09 December 2022

UNIDO’s technical advice enables first batch of Vietnamese pomelos exported to the US

Viet Nam’s first batch of pomelos was exported to the United States from Ben Tre Province (Mekong River Delta) on Monday, November 28, 2022, at a ceremony organized by the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development and the provincial People's Committee. After nearly six years of negotiations, the US market is unlocked to Viet Nam’s fresh pomelos. The export was enabled by efforts from pomelo value chain actors, including policy-makers, exporters, farmers, business providers and also UNIDO’s experts. Pomelos exported to the United States have very strict pest control requirements, which required a lot of time in training farmers as well as changing the farming process to meet the requirements and improving the linkage chain. UNIDO Viet Nam and the Institute of Agricultural Engineering & Technology After Harvest (VIAEP) have been on the ground providing direct technical support in post-harvest treatment to this very first batch of pomelos in Chanh Thu Fruit Import-Export Group JSC (Chanh Thu) to meet US market standards. Chanh Thu is one of the women and youth-owned businesses in the Mekong Delta which are assisted in enhancing innovation and technology application and increasing quality standards compliance capacity. The activity was under the framework of the Global Quality and Standards Programme (GQSP) and the United Nations Multi-Parter Trust Fund (MPTF). The GQSP Vietnam project is part of a wider global GQSP programme funded by the State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO) of Switzerland and implemented by UNIDO in close cooperation with the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MARD). According to technical requirements for pomelos entering the US market, it is mandatory to use coating instead of plastic wrap. The new coating technology developed by the project, in collaboration with VIAEP and international experts, extends the shelf life by up to 3 months without using plastic wrap. In parallel with the research and development of coating products, a synchronized pre-processing system for pomelo processing with a capacity of 4-5 tons/hour has been designed, manufactured and installed, including major steps of washing, chemical treatment, draining, waxing, and drying. This equipment system was accepted by the US Animal and Plant Health Quarantine (APHIS) and the Plant Protection Department to enable the exporter to meet the requirements for exporting pomelos to the US market. “The effectiveness of the project helps enterprises overcome the key challenge of fruit exporting, which is post-harvest treatment to preserve fruits for a long shipments and export to demanding markets with reduced logistics costs. This is a necessary move at this point. This also encourages enterprises to invest more in future innovations to bring quality products to consumers.” - Ngô Tường Vy, general director of Chánh Thu, shared about UNIDO’s technical support. Based on this success, UNIDO will continue to work to enhance international market access for Vietnamese fruits, build innovative and sustainable value chains to contribute to the rural economy.

1 of 5

View all

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

1 of 5

Press Release

25 August 2023

Launch of the Voluntary National Review and Policy Dialogue Towards the SDG Summit 2023: National Commitments and Actions

The 2nd VNR report that takes stock of SDG progress, identifies challenges and outlines policy priorities for SDG acceleration is also launched. The VNR is essential for informing the dialogue on priority policies and transitions that can be translated into national commitments, initiatives and actions for expediting SDG achievements. Dr. Le Viet Anh, Director-General of the Department of Science, Education, Natural Resources and Environment, Ministry of Planning and Investment shared about Viet Nam’s successful presentation of the VNR 2023 and emphasized the positive contribution and extensive involvement and active participation of various stakeholders in the VNR development process, especially the technical assistance from GIZ and the UN in Viet Nam. Dr. Le Viet Anh affirmed that Viet Nam strongly committed to continue promoting the comprehensive implementation of the SDGs through strategies, master plans, plans and policies at the national, sectoral and local levels. At the same time, Viet Nam will identify key priorities and pervasive areas in SDG implementation to guide the concentration of resources and mobilize the participation of stakeholders and the Policy Dialogue is an important starting point for all parties to joint hands to promote the acceleration and innovation in implementation to achieve the SDGs in 2030. Ms. Pauline Tamesis, United Nations Resident Coordinator in Viet Nam, highlighted that “the UN joins hands with the Ministry of Planning and Investment (MPI) and GIZ in organizing this dialogue to facilitate sharing of innovative ideas and recommendations in the formulation of Viet Nam’s National Commitments to SDG Transformation. These Commitments will help provide concrete pathways for the Government of Viet Nam and various stakeholders to rescue the SDGs. This dialogue, more importantly, allows us to demonstrate our solidarity and support implementation.” Mr. Simon Kreye, Chargés d'affaires ad interim at the German Embassy in Viet Nam, remarked: “The German government is very glad to support the event today, which presents an opportunity to embrace the synergy among international organizations towards the same goal of strengthening technical assistance to the Government of Viet Nam on its journey to the SDG achievement in 2030. The Macroeconomic Reforms/Green Growth programme implemented by GIZ on behalf of the German government, will continue to support the Ministry of Planning and Investment in improving the management of public and private resources for green and inclusive growth, which makes an important contribution to the implementation of the 2030 Agenda in Viet Nam.” The event brought together more than 100 participants including leaders and officials from ministries, agencies and sectors at the central and local levels, national assembly, socio-political organizations, non-governmental organizations, United Nations agencies in Viet Nam, diplomatic missions, development partners, international financial institutions (IFIs), businesses, academia and the media. -End- For further information, please contact: Ms. Nguyen Thanh Nga Official, Department of Science, Education, Natural Resources and Environment, MPI Tel: +84 98 842 5531 Email: thanhnganguyen311@gmail.com Mr. Trinh Anh Tuan Senior Programme Communications and Advocacy Officer, United Nations Resident Coordinator’s Office (UN RCO) Tel: +84 90 329 6393 Email: tuan.trinh@un.org Ms. Nguyen Dao Tuyet Nga Communications Officer, GIZ in Viet Nam Tel: +84 91 991 7877 Email: nga.nguyendao@giz.d

1 of 5

Press Release

11 August 2023

Green skills education for youth is key to the green transition in Viet Nam

In the context of climate change, the world is embarking on a green transition. This brings about new economic opportunities for youth. By 2030, the green transition will create 8.4 million jobs for young people. In order to shape their future and contribute to the green economy, young people need to be equipped with green skills - the practical tools and knowledge that allow them to utilize the power of eco-friendly technologies and to make environmentally conscious decisions in both their professional and personal lives. The International Youth Day event showcases insights from young experts engaged in areas related to green skills, international organizations, and government, with the aim of fostering the sharing of information and ideas concerning green skills among Vietnamese youth. By means of two roundtable sessions and interactive activities conducted both online and offline, young experts and relevant stakeholders were able to engage in meaningful dialogues regarding the education and practical implementation of green skills. “At this moment, the demand for green skills is outpacing its availability. By 2030, 60% of young people may lack the necessary skills to thrive in the green economy. We must address this disparity and ensure that everyone, regardless of their background or gender, has equal access to these skills.”, United Nations Resident Coordinator in Viet Nam, Ms. Pauline Tamesis shared in her opening remarks. “As Viet Nam steers its national efforts toward a just energy transition and a net-zero future, it is crucial to undertake substantial labor force transformations that fuel a green and low carbon economy,” said UNDP Resident Representative, Ramla Khalidi. “Vietnamese youth need to be well-prepared and armed with green knowledge, skills and competencies to be part of these workforces. Embracing new opportunities to cultivate green jobs and future-oriented skills is more than an investment in their potential, it is a commitment to a sustainable world. UNDP stands ready to empower the youth in shaping their path towards a future of green job opportunities.” “Green skills opened new opportunities for young people to contribute to a more sustainable society. I am excited to see what Vietnamese young people can achieve by applying these skills.”, said Ms. Le Nguyen Bao Ngoc, first runner-up at Miss World Vietnam 2022, a youth guest speaker at the event. - Ends - For further information, please contact: Tran Thi Ngoc Han, Project Officer/Culture, UNESCO Office in Viet Nam Email: tn.tran@unesco.org Mobile: + 84 (0)973 692 847

1 of 5

Press Release

27 June 2023

IOM and Viet Nam Government advocate for strengthened regional cooperation to improve migrant health and well-being in ASEAN

The ASEAN region has long been a significant hub of origin, transit, and destination countries for migrants and their families. Asia accounts for a substantial number of migrants (106 million), with over 60 percent of all international migrants residing in Asia (80 million). The ASEAN region records the highest number of international migrants in Asia, following India and the People’s Republic of China[1]. Over the past three decades, international migration rates within the ASEAN member states have witnessed a significant increase as people of diverse genders, ages, abilities, sexual orientations, and ethnicities migrate due to various push and pull factors. However, the burden of health issues within ASEAN remains complex, including infectious diseases, occupational health hazards and injuries, mental health challenges, non-communicable diseases (such as cardiovascular disease and diabetes), and maternal and child health problems. Infectious diseases like Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS), tuberculosis (TB), and malaria continue to be significant concerns for member states. Some countries in the region are recorded as the countries with the highest prevalence of TB, HIV, and malaria. The Philippines, Myanmar, Indonesia, Thailand, and Viet Nam are among the top 30 countries with the highest TB incidence globally[2]. Across ASEAN, much heterogeneity exists in health service delivery systems. Health expenditure varies from the highest, in Cambodia to the lowest in Brunei Darussalam. Achieving Universal Health Coverage (UHC) remains a challenging goal, even for the citizens of the Member States, and presents an even greater challenge for migrants. Recent studies conducted by IOM in the region have highlighted the challenges faced by cross-border migrants in accessing healthcare, including language barriers, discrimination, financial constraints, lack of portable health insurance across borders, and lack of official cross-border referral mechanisms for migrant patients. They can be made even more vulnerable in pandemic situations due to inadequate access to needed health care and services, as shown during the COVID-19 pandemic. H.E. Nguyen Thi Lien Huong, Vice Minister of the Ministry of Health, emphasized the importance of the workshop, stating: “The International Workshop on Migration and Health for migrants in ASEAN is an excellent opportunity for all ASEAN Members to collectively assess the current situation and trends of migration in the region and the world, and its impacts on socio-economic development. We can share lesson learned, initiatives and policy recommendations to promote the health of migrants in ASEAN to strengthen cooperation between ASEAN member states as well as with our partners in migrant health.” IOM’s Chief of Mission, Ms. Park Mihyung, applauded the collaboration between IOM and the MOH: “In a world where an increasing number of people are on the move, regional collaborations and partnerships are crucial to enhance the health and well-being of migrants. Healthy migrants contribute to healthy communities.” “I am proud that IOM and ASEAN nations have taken a positive step toward advancing migrant health agenda in accordance with the goals of the Global Compact for Safe, Orderly, and Regular Migration (GCM). GCM is the first inter-governmentally negotiated agreement that prioritizes health as a cross-cutting issue, with references to health and healthcare access in several objectives. By aligning with the GCM with the SDGs and World Health Assembly Resolutions, we have a significant opportunity to promote the health of migrants, foster multi-sectoral partnerships, and develop data-driven policies in ASEAN,” Ms. Park Mihyung added. Guided by the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development particularly Goal 3, which aims to ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages, and Resolution 70.15 “Promoting the health of refugees and migrants,” endorsed by the World Health Assembly in May 2017, all member states must ensure that migrants are included in national health systems, ensuring their access to quality healthcare services without barriers. Migrants’ health is also a top priority of the ASEAN Health Sector under the ASEAN Post 2015 Health Development Agenda, specifically, the ASEAN Health Cluster (AHC 3) on Strengthening Health Systems and Access to Care. The AHC 3’s program aims to enhance health systems’ capacity and capability to seek to improve services for documented migrants, including migrant workers, especially women, and children. Background information: IOM and Viet Nam’s achievements in ensuring migrant health: In Viet Nam, IOM has implemented various mechanisms to promote migrants' access to healthcare services, such as facilitating TB diagnosis and treatment for migrants across Viet Nam - Cambodia border. With financial support from the Global Fund, IOM is supporting the National Tuberculosis Programmes in both countries to establish a cross-border referral mechanism. This mechanism serves as a digital platform for communication between health facilities in border provinces of Viet Nam and Cambodia, for information exchange and referring TB patient across the border. Despite being piloting, the initiative shows positive outcomes, and the Lao People's Democratic Republic has expressed interest in joining the scheme. In response to the Vietnam Government’s call, IOM and WHO have supported the Ministry of Health in establishing an inter-ministerial and inter-sectoral working group, called the Migrant Health Working Group (MHWG) in 2021. This inter-ministerial and inter-sectoral working group, approved by the Minister of Health, serves as a technical coordination mechanism, enabling relevant departments across different ministries to manage migrant health issues and coordinate with relevant stakeholders to foster the design and implementation of migrant-friendly health interventions and policies. Since its establishment, IOM has supported the MHWG in implementing various activities to improve the health of migrants, including the launching two informative, easy-to-understand, and easy-to-access health handbooks for Vietnamese migrant workers in the Republic of Korea and Japan. The handbooks have been adopted by the Vietnamese Government and recruitment agencies as part of their pre-departure briefings for migrant workers. IOM will soon launch a third handbook for Vietnamese migrant workers in Taiwan in 2023- 2024. For further information contact: IOM Viet Nam: Nguyen Ngoc Tram, National Communications Officer - Email: ngocnguyen@iom.int ; Mobile: 0912893964 [1] https://asean.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/ASEAN-Migration-Outlook-Final.pdf [2] https://asean.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/ASEAN-report_Case-Study-on-Migration-Health_10Apr2023.pdf

1 of 5

Press Release

14 June 2023

Supporting Viet Nam’s energy transition ambitions

As part of ETP’s support of the Net-Zero Scenario Diagnostic Study for the Vietnamese Energy Sector, stakeholders from the Ministry of Industry and Trade (MOIT), the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment (MONRE), the United Nations Development Program (UNDP), international cooperation agencies, Vietnam Oil and Gas Group (PVN), the Electricity of Vietnam (EVN), the Vietnam National Coal and Mineral Industries Group (Vinacomin) convened to share thoughts on crucial data and assumptions for the analysis. Interactive discussions covered the government’s keen interest in exploring the role of fossil fuels, hydrogen, biomass, and ammonia. Additionally, the socioeconomic impact of the energy transition in Vietnam was extensively discussed among participants, drawing upon scientific data. Following the workshop, ETP will continue to collaborate with the Government of Vietnam in further researching the net-zero scenario, taking into account Vietnamese policies, leveraging scientific data, and ensuring the active involvement of various stakeholders, including ministries, international organizations, and experts. To further discuss policies and regulations for both Viet Nam’s net-zero emissions scenario and the green cooling sector, ETP’s Senior Program Manager John Cotton co-chaired the Green Cooling Inception Workshop which offered stakeholders the opportunity to share knowledge and discuss the legal, technical, and financial resolutions for the cooling sector. He stated, "Green cooling solutions are expected to enhance energy efficiency, reduce GHG emissions, protect the ozone layer, and contribute to the net-zero emission target." Viet Nam has demonstrated an exceptional commitment to green growth and inclusive economic development. To realize these ambitions, ETP is supporting Viet Nam in coal phase-down, energy efficiency, carbon markets and offshore wind energy. ENDS Contact Details: Country Program Coordinator: Toan Do (toand@unops.org) / Thuy Ngoc NGUYEN (thuyn@unops.org) About ETP The Southeast Asia Energy Transition Partnership (ETP) is a multi-donor regional platform, managed by the United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS), that supports the Philippines, Viet Nam, and Indonesia’s transition towards modern energy systems that can simultaneously ensure economic growth, energy security, and environmental sustainability. About UNOPS UNOPS's mission is to help people build better lives and countries achieve peace and sustainable development. We help the United Nations, governments and other partners to manage projects, and deliver sustainable infrastructure and procurement in an efficient way. Read more: www.unops.org

1 of 5

View all