In recent years Vietnam has begun to emerge from the strains of almost continuous armed struggles for much of the last century to become a strongly performing economy. In 2005 GDP grew by 8.4%, the strongest result for 9 years, helping to reduce poverty levels to below 20% for the first time among the population of over 80 million.

Literacy rates for the population over the age of 15 are over 90%, although down to 61% for lower income individuals. Primary school enrollment rates for boys and girls are close to 100%, and 88% for lower income children.

Malnutrition in children under the age of 5 was estimated in 2004 to be 34%, and up to 44% for poor children, but improvements in malnutrition and child mortality rates have been observed in recent years.

Applying the International Poverty Line, the proportion of poor households in Vietnam has decreased dramatically from 58.1% in 1993 to 24.1% in 2004. There has been an overall improvement in the key indicators including that of infant and child mortality, reproductive healthcare, gender disparities, education, access to improved water.

There are however severe income disparities, affecting mainly the rural and the minority ethnic groups. Malnutrition also affects a third of children under the age of five. UNICEF reports that approximately 30,000 children are killed each year due to injury, mostly from unexploded ordnance and landmines left from the war, drowning and traffic accidents.

World Bank
• Vietnam at a Glance
• Data Profile

AIDS/HIV
• UNDP You and Aids Profile
• UNAIDS

Foundation Projects

The Foundation supports the developmental and emergency relief projects of the De La Salle Brothers in Vietnam.