Vietnam’s achievements in child care and protection in the 30 years since it signed the Convention on the Rights of the Child have been praised internationally. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Vietnamese children have received special attention and care.

In February 1990 Vietnam became the first country in Asia and the second in the world to ratify the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child. Vietnam’s strong commitment to children’s rights has improved the lives of millions of children. They are protected by law and enjoy health care and educational services that provide them with essential life skills starting in kindergarten.

Protection of children during pandemic

During the fight against COVID-19, the Vietnamese government has paid particular attention to children, guided by the motto “Leave no one behind”.

In March, the number of people isolated in quarantine centers increased rapidly. Many of them were children and pregnant women. The Ministry of Labor, Invalids and Social Affairs, UNICEF, and international NGOs working for children’s rights jointly produced guidelines to ensure the safety and protection of children in quarantine areas and the quarantine staff fulfilled their duty to care for and protect the children according to these guidelines. They cooked requested dishes and organized birthday parties for the children.

The Department of Children and the Department of Labor, Invalids and Social Affairs have strengthened disease prevention measures at child care centers and in localities.

During the social distancing period, Vietnam carried out an online communications campaign to help parents, teachers, and children resolve  problems and reduce the negative effects of social distancing on children and adolescents.

New challenges and actions

Vietnam has made progress in children’s rights by incorporating the UN Convention’s articles and principles into Vietnamese laws, policies and national programs.

Vietnam has promulgated the Law on Universalizing Primary Education and the Law on the Protection, Care, and Education of Children. In 2016, the Law on Children addressed new problems arising from the exercise of children’s rights and the demands of socio-economic development.

Vietnam has learned from the experience of other countries in fashioning laws that protect children and ensure their rights.

Now the rapid development of digital technology, environmental changes, and mass migration are posing new challenges to children’s rights.

The 4th Industrial Revolution and the development of the internet and social networks has created an environment that allows children to develop their social skills but has also increased their exposure to harmful misinformation and abuse. Children are the most vulnerable to climate change, natural disasters, and natural resource scarcity.

The Vietnamese government has developed censorship mechanisms to protect children in cyberspace. Vietnam has implemented the 2020-2025 National Action Program on Prevention and Combating Violence and Abuse of Children and has fine-tuned laws on child care, child protection, and education in line with the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child.