World Bank Income Classification:Low Income
The World Bank classifies economies for analytical purposes into four income groups: low, lower-middle, upper-middle, and high income. For this purpose it uses gross national income (GNI) per capita data in U.S. dollars, converted from local currency using the World Bank Atlas method, which is applied to smooth exchange rate fluctuations.
Least Developed Country:Yes
Since 1971, the United Nations has recognized LDCs as a category of States that are deemed highly disadvantaged in their development process, for structural, historical and also geographical reasons. Three criteria are used: per capita income, human assets, and economic vulnerability.
Gender Inequality Index:0.575
GII is a composite metric of gender inequality using three dimensions: reproductive health, empowerment and the labour market. A low GII value indicates low inequality between women and men, and vice-versa.
Gender Development Index:0.723
GDI measures gender inequalities in achievement in three basic dimensions of human development: health, education, and command over economic resources.
Population:209,497,025
Source of population data: United Nations, Department of Economic and Social Affairs, Population Division (2022). World Population Prospects: The 2022 Revision
Male:19,976,265 (9.5%)
Female:189,520,760 (90.5%)
SN Outcome 3 (CF Outcome 4) Governance and Access to Justice By 2026, people in Viet Nam, especially those at risk of being left behind, will have benefited from and have contributed to a more just, safe and inclusive society based on improved governance, more responsive institutions, strengthened rule of law and the protection of and respect for human rights, gender equality, and freedom from all forms of violence and discrimination in line with international standards.
This outcome will contribute to the SDGs: 5, 10 and16 and following SP Outcome: SP Outcome 1 Global normative frameworks and gender-responsive laws, policies and institutions. A comprehensive and dynamic set of global norms and standards on gender equality and the empowerment of all women and girls is strengthened and translated into gender-responsive laws, policies, and institutions. SP Outcome 3 Positive social norms, including through engaging men and boys: More men and boys and women and girls adopt attitudes, norms and practices that advance gender equality and women’s empowerment, including those that promote positive social norms SP Outcome 4 Women’s equitable access to services, goods & resources: More women and girls have equitable access to high quality public goods, services, and resources that are responsive to their needs SP Outcome 5 Women’s voice, leadership & agency: More women and girls exercise their voice, agency and leadership, including through an enabling en
SN Outcome 3 (CF Outcome 4) Governance and Access to Justice By 2026, people in Viet Nam, especially those at risk of being left behind, will have benefited from and have contributed to a more just, safe and inclusive society based on improved governance, more responsive institutions, strengthened rule of law and the protection of and respect for human rights, gender equality, and freedom from all forms of violence and discrimination in line with international standards.
Complementary indicators are identified as those in the results framework that are not repeated verbatim in the results framework of another United Nations entity, but are related or provide different but complementary lenses or insights into the same issue, high-level result and/or area of complementary work, such as a Sustainable Development Goal target.
Complementary
UN Women reports on this indicator in a global scope, signified by "(Desk Review)" at the end of the indicator statement (see the Our Global Results page for the global result)
Complementary indicators are identified as those in the results framework that are not repeated verbatim in the results framework of another United Nations entity, but are related or provide different but complementary lenses or insights into the same issue, high-level result and/or area of complementary work, such as a Sustainable Development Goal target.
Complementary
Common indicators are those that appear verbatim the same in at least two entities' results frameworks and are drawn, where possible, directly from other globally agreed frameworks.
Common
Complementary indicators are identified as those in the results framework that are not repeated verbatim in the results framework of another United Nations entity, but are related or provide different but complementary lenses or insights into the same issue, high-level result and/or area of complementary work, such as a Sustainable Development Goal target.
Complementary
Complementary indicators are identified as those in the results framework that are not repeated verbatim in the results framework of another United Nations entity, but are related or provide different but complementary lenses or insights into the same issue, high-level result and/or area of complementary work, such as a Sustainable Development Goal target.
Complementary
Complementary indicators are identified as those in the results framework that are not repeated verbatim in the results framework of another United Nations entity, but are related or provide different but complementary lenses or insights into the same issue, high-level result and/or area of complementary work, such as a Sustainable Development Goal target.
Complementary
Complementary indicators are identified as those in the results framework that are not repeated verbatim in the results framework of another United Nations entity, but are related or provide different but complementary lenses or insights into the same issue, high-level result and/or area of complementary work, such as a Sustainable Development Goal target.
Complementary
UN Women reports on this indicator in a global scope, signified by "(Desk Review)" at the end of the indicator statement (see the Our Global Results page for the global result)
Common indicators are those that appear verbatim the same in at least two entities' results frameworks and are drawn, where possible, directly from other globally agreed frameworks.
Common
UN Women reports on this indicator in a global scope, signified by "(Desk Review)" at the end of the indicator statement (see the Our Global Results page for the global result)
Complementary indicators are identified as those in the results framework that are not repeated verbatim in the results framework of another United Nations entity, but are related or provide different but complementary lenses or insights into the same issue, high-level result and/or area of complementary work, such as a Sustainable Development Goal target.
Complementary
Complementary indicators are identified as those in the results framework that are not repeated verbatim in the results framework of another United Nations entity, but are related or provide different but complementary lenses or insights into the same issue, high-level result and/or area of complementary work, such as a Sustainable Development Goal target.
Complementary
UN Women reports on this indicator in a global scope, signified by "(Desk Review)" at the end of the indicator statement (see the Our Global Results page for the global result)
UN Women reports on this indicator in a global scope, signified by "(Desk Review)" at the end of the indicator statement (see the Our Global Results page for the global result)
Common indicators are those that appear verbatim the same in at least two entities' results frameworks and are drawn, where possible, directly from other globally agreed frameworks.
Common
UN Women reports on this indicator in a global scope, signified by "(Desk Review)" at the end of the indicator statement (see the Our Global Results page for the global result)
Common indicators are those that appear verbatim the same in at least two entities' results frameworks and are drawn, where possible, directly from other globally agreed frameworks.
Common
UN Women reports on this indicator in a global scope, signified by "(Desk Review)" at the end of the indicator statement (see the Our Global Results page for the global result)
Common indicators are those that appear verbatim the same in at least two entities' results frameworks and are drawn, where possible, directly from other globally agreed frameworks.
Common
Complementary indicators are identified as those in the results framework that are not repeated verbatim in the results framework of another United Nations entity, but are related or provide different but complementary lenses or insights into the same issue, high-level result and/or area of complementary work, such as a Sustainable Development Goal target.
Complementary
UN Women reports on this indicator in a global scope, signified by "(Desk Review)" at the end of the indicator statement (see the Our Global Results page for the global result)
Common indicators are those that appear verbatim the same in at least two entities' results frameworks and are drawn, where possible, directly from other globally agreed frameworks.
Common
SN Outcome 3 (CF Outcome 4) Governance and Access to Justice By 2026, people in Viet Nam, especially those at risk of being left behind, will have benefited from and have contributed to a more just, safe and inclusive society based on improved governance, more responsive institutions, strengthened rule of law and the protection of and respect for human rights, gender equality, and freedom from all forms of violence and discrimination in line with international standards.
In 2023, UN Women Viet Nam Country Office made a substantial progress on the outcome 4 on improving governance and access to justice for women and girls in Viet Nam, through its technical support and advocacy to government ministries for the development of important legislations and policies including Viet Nam’s first National Action Plan on Women, Peace and Security (NAP-WPS), the Social Insurance Law amendment and the Gender Affirmation Law. These efforts collectively foster a more just, safe, and inclusive society in Vietnam, adhering to international standards of human rights, gender equality, and freedom from violence and discrimination, as outlined in SDG5, SDG8 and SDG16. The accomplishments signify a comprehensive approach that not only safeguards the rights of marginalized individuals but actively involves them in contributing to and benefiting from a transformed societal landscape and to become more resilience in time of crisis”. Specifically, the first important undertaking was the development of Viet Nam's first National Action Plan on Women, Peace, and Security (WPS), submitted to the Prime Minister on December 31, 2023, with the anticipation that the NAP is approved in the first quarter of 2024. This contribution stems from extensive technical support provided by UN Women to the government drafting committee led by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. It includes study visits, policy analysis, stakeholder consultations, and high-level policy advocacy for the development of the NAP WPS. This strategic initiative directly aligns with UN Women Viet Nam's goal of fostering a conducive environment for gender equality by addressing systemic issues related to peace and security. Utilizing the four pillars of the WPS Agenda (participation, prevention, protection, relief, and recovery), the NAP aims to fortify state and provincial capacities to implement the WPS Agenda and NAP, as well as coordination, institutional frameworks, and legal mechanisms improvement. Secondly, UN Women, alongside ILO, Thrive and Alive, and Oxfam, successfully advocated for a more gender-responsive Social Insurance Law in Vietnam, submitted to the National Assembly in October 2023, focusing on expanding maternity benefits within the voluntary social insurance scheme, marking a significant milestone. This effort led to the introduction of maternity cash support, a groundbreaking inclusion in the voluntary social insurance scheme through the incorporation of a provision of maternity cash benefit of 2,000,000 VND per woman per delivery. This important amendment is anticipated to receive National Assembly approval in May 2024, benefiting especially women in informal sectors who previously lacked such support during maternity. In collaboration with other UN agencies, UN Women had played the central role in advocating for the development of Vietnam's first Gender Affirmation Law (GAL) in 2023. Drafted by the Ministry of Health in 2022, submitted by NA Deputy to the NA in 2023, the GAL has been included in NA legislation agenda 2024-2025. The GAL addresses legal gender recognition and access to health services related to gender affirmation. The draft law is crucial for protecting the rights of individuals seeking to change their legal gender markers. The GAL is anticipated to be discussed by National Assembly deputies in the 8th session (October 2024) and be approved in the 9th session (May 2025), signaling a meaningful change for trans people in Vietnam. In collaboration with MOLISA, VWU, CWD and local authorities of HCMC, Da Nang, and Dien Bien, UN Women facilitated the adoption and implementation of multi-sectoral coordination strategies and victim center approaches to enhance the quality of and access to essential services for women including women migrant workers subject to gender-based violence. This effort is very important to Viet Nam where two third of women have experienced at least one form of violence and nearly 90% of them have never sought help from a service provider. In conjunction with various stakeholders including UN Agencies such as UNFPA, UNICEF, ILO, UNODC and IOM, UN Women played a significant role in advancing legal frameworks to combat Gender-Based Violence (GBV) in Viet Nam. UN Women contributed to the decree 76/2023/ND-CP that guides the implementation of some articles of the Law on Domestic Violence Prevention and Control 2022. This decree was effective from 1 November 2023 is crucial in providing adequate protection and support for women experiencing domestic violence in Viet Nam. Additionally, UN Women supported the implementation of national strategies such as the National Strategy on Gender Equality 2021-2030, National Programme on Communication about Gender Equality until 2030, National Programme on GBV Prevention and Response 2021-2025, National Programme on Domestic Violence Prevention and Control in the New Contexts until 2025, National Programme on Human Trafficking Prevention and Control, and decisions at the provincial levels of Da Nang and Ho Chi Minh City. These efforts collectively contributed to a strengthened legal framework and a more comprehensive approach to combating GBV in Viet Nam. Additionally, with UN Women technical suppport, the Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for coordinated services were developed together with GED-MOLISA, Ministry of Public Security, Viet Nam Women’s Union with the aim to shift from siloed approaches to more coordinated efforts in dealing with GBV/ domestic and overseas human trafficking cases. The Quito Declaration – the global commitment to accelerate action on safe cities and safe public spaces with and for women and girls were adopted by Da Nang and Ho Chi Minh City’s People’s Committee along with nearly 60 cities worldwide – showcasing the active engagement of the two intervened location of VCO in the global agenda. Besides, UN Women's role in supporting UN accountability for commitments on GEWE was marked by several achievements. The development of a screening tool for mainstreaming gender equality and women’s empowerment in UN Joint Programmes in Viet Nam is a significant milestone. This tool, accompanied by guidelines and training to 20 UN staff ensures the visible integration of GEWE in the UN Joint Programmes, contributing to UNCT's enhanced performance in UNCT-SWAP. With t he achievements above, life of selected groups of women and girls in different diversities in Viet Nam especially those in VCO’s intervened locations shall have been improved with enhanced social, institutional and legal environment on GEWE, strengthened capacities of state and nonstate actors to facilitate the transformation of social norms, practices and actions towards a society free of gender-based discrimination and violence, and more coordinated UN system’s accountability in GEWE. The TOC of this outcome in VCO’s strategic note 2022-2026 therefore remains valid and relevant to the country context. The achievements of UN Women Viet Nam Country Office in 2023 offer crucial lessons for future interventions in gender equality and women's empowerment and emphasize the significance of inclusivity, collaboration, innovation, and international engagement, providing a roadmap for future interventions to achieve tangible and sustainable results in the pursuit of gender equality and women empowerment.Disclaimer and notes
References to Kosovo shall be understood to be in the context of United Nations Security Council resolution 1244 (1999).