Health situation in Viet Nam

Viet Nam's health indices have improved in recent years. However health inequalities are growing between different groups and geographical areas.

Maternal and child mortality are much higher among the poor and among some ethnic groups. Infant mortality in remote areas is nearly eight times greater than in urban areas. Malnutrition is still a serious problem among poor children. Viet Nam is also facing a host of relatively new health problems. More than 10 000 people die from road accidents every year; the HIV/AIDS epidemic is escalating; and tobacco-related diseases are growing. The number of non-communicable or “lifestyle diseases”, such as cancer,diabetes and heart disease, has risen in recent years. They now account for nearly half of all deaths. Meanwhile, some communicable diseases, such as tuberculosis continue to persist.