Overview
The Population Council is one of the few international NGOs in Vietnam whose focus is on research and research capacity building exclusively. Since the Council began working in Vietnam in 1989, the demand for new knowledge and capacity concerning health and population has grown dramatically as part of the country’s rapid economic and social development. The Council has formed close partnerships with government agencies and research institutions to create new practical knowledge, build organizational capacity, promote policy dialogue and informed discussion, and address critical population, family planning, and reproductive health issues. The Council’s work in Vietnam was first implemented in Bangkok, Thailand. In 1996, it received a representative status permit, the highest legal status for an international NGO operating in Vietnam, and opened an office in Hanoi.
Program focus
The Council collaborates with international and local partners to address Vietnam's national priorities by building new research capacity, expanding practical knowledge, and assisting evidence-driven implementation at the points where services meet people.
The Council’s interim strategy for 2009–12 will continue to accelerate awareness of existing and future research results and ensure their consideration in the development and implementation of national health policies. During the past three years, the Council's work on poverty, gender, and health information systems began to gain importance as the government’s commitment to poverty reduction, gender equity, and health system strengthening has grown stronger. As part of this new strategy, the Council intends to reach out to current and emerging leaders in various fields, including returned Population Council fellows, to provide support for policy formulation, applied research, and establishing and maintaining a public forum in which issues related to gender, population, family planning, and reproductive health can be discussed.
Highlights of past and current work
- In 2007, the Government of Vietnam used Council evidence and staff expertise from a decade of studies of domestic violence against women to inform national policy. Council staff participated in the National Assembly’s drafting group for the first law addressing domestic violence, and, as the leader of the group convened by the Ministry of Health, helped draft the wording for the addition of domestic violence to the national policy and guidelines on reproductive health.
- The Council completed a prospective evaluation of the first youth-friendly reproductive health care service models to be introduced in public health sector settings in Vietnam. Evidence from this study is currently being used by the Ministry of Health to guide expansion to five more provinces, as well as to improve the three existing sites in Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, and the Mekong River Delta.
- The office completed a mixed-method study of young people aged 15–29 from an ethnic minority and their families in mountainous villages of Thai Nguyen province. The study’s findings shed new light on economic and social change in remote areas, and on young people’s perceptions and behaviors concerning health (with a focus on sexual and reproductive health), education, marriage, and work.
- The Council is most appreciated for the ten-year (1996–2005) fellowship program that supported 126 Vietnamese health professionals in obtaining master’s degrees abroad in public health or health-related social sciences. A strong indicator of the leverage and impact of this program is that 20 percent of the Council’s former fellows have progressed to doctoral-level study, all supported by other donors or by the Government of Vietnam. The Council stays in close contact with the fellows to help them sustain strong links to research and family in Vietnam. Those already returned are among the nation’s most productive young researchers, teaching faculty, and policy experts.
Projects
Strengthening the Health Management Information System (HMIS) in Thai Nguyen Province, Vietnam (more)
Council researchers evaluated and are working to improve Thai Nguyen's HMIS through developing a computerized HMIS, using software to improve the accuracy of the health data collected, and increasing use of HMIS data to improve health care.
(3/2009 - 3/2012)
Strengthening health systems
Supporting Capacity Building and Research in Vietnam (more)
Population Council staff are mobilizing and enhancing postgraduate public health research capacity in Vietnam.
(2/2002 - 3/2011)
Strengthening health systems
Improving the Health Care Response to Gender-based Violence in Vietnam (more)
The Population Council is continuing community- and hospital-based interventions to address gender-based violence in Vietnam.
(1/2005 - 10/2009)
Sexual and gender-based violence
Findings from Recent and Ongoing Youth and Family Studies in Vietnam (more)
Council researchers conducted a large-scale adolescent survey and an in-depth study of four rural communes in Vietnam to explore how patterns of transitions to adulthood, particularly decisions about schooling, marriage, and work, are affected by rapidly changing opportunity structures associated with economic opening or “doi moi.”
(1/1999 - 12/2008)
Financial literacy/livelihoods; Schooling
Reducing HIV/AIDS-related Stigma and Discrimination in the Health Care Setting in Vietnam (more)
A Horizons study in Vietnam studied the impact of two different interventions to reduce stigma and discrimination toward patients living with HIV and AIDS in the health care setting.
(12/2005 - 7/2007)
HIV care, support, and treatment; Stigma and discrimination
Resources
Featured publication
Population Council in Vietnam (PDFs: A4 and letter)
Country profile
Publication date: 2012
Nguyen Hong Phuong; Budiharsana,Meiwita P.
BMC Women's Health 12(14)
Publication date: 2012
Strengthening Health Management Information System in Thai Nguyen Province, Vietnam (PDF)
Publication date: 2011
Survey of domestic and work life experience and reproductive health of women workers of selected industrial compounds in Ha Noi (PDF)
Nguyen Thi Van Anh; Nguyen Hong Phuong
Publication date: 2011
The prevention and management of HIV and sexual and gender-based violence: Responding to the needs of survivors and those-at-risk (PDF)
Raifman,Sarah; Askew,Ian; Amin,Sajeda; Keesbury,Jill; Mullick,Saiqa; Diers,Judith A.; Budiharsana,Meiwita P.; Undie,Chi-Chi; Zama,Mary; Menziwa,Mantshi; Hutchinson,Sherry; Rutenberg,Naomi
Publication date: 2011
Using evidence to improve primary health care in Thai Nguyen Province (PDF)
Publication date: 2011
Health Research for Development Initiative in Vietnam (HRDI): Impact evaluation results (PDF)
Williams,Katherine; Budiharsana,Meiwita P.; Nguyen Thi Phuong Lan
Publication date: 2010
Improving quality of health care for gender-based violence victims at health facilities in Viet Nam (PDF)
Mai Quoc Tung; Budiharsana,Meiwita P.; Nguyen Thi Phuong Lan; Patten,Jane H.
Project evaluation report
Publication date: 2010
Improving the health care response to gender-based violence: Project evaluation report (PDF)
Budiharsana,Meiwita P.; Mai Quoc Tung
Publication date: 2010
Looking back, moving forward: Reducing HIV-related stigma, Horizons studies 2000 to 2007 (PDF)
Pulerwitz,Julie; Michaelis,Annie P.; Weiss,Ellen; Brown,Lisanne; Mahendra,Vaishali Sharma
Horizons Synthesis Background Papers
Publication date: 2010
Targeting violence against women in Bolivia and Vietnam (PDF)
Population Briefs 16(2)
Publication date: 2010
The role of abortion in the last stage of fertility decline in Vietnam (abstract) (HTML)
Teerawichitchainan,Bussarawan; Amin,Sajeda
International Perspectives on Sexual and Reproductive Health 36(2): 80-89
Publication date: 2010
Ethnic fertility differentials in Vietnam and their proximate determinants
(PDF)
Amin,Sajeda; Teerawichitchainan,Bussarawan
Poverty, Gender, and Youth Working Paper (no. 18)
Publication date: 2009
Adolescent experience in-depth: Using data to identify and reach the most vulnerable young people (HTML)
Series of 51 data guides by country
Publication date: 2009
Adolescent experience in-depth: Using data to identify and reach the most vulnerable young people--Vietnam 2002 (PDF) (HTML)
Publication date: 2009
An executive summary of the primary health improvement initiative health systems assessment at commune level: Lessons from five provinces in Vietnam, 2004-2008
Population Council Viet Nam (PCVN) Brief
Publication date: 2009
Improving the health care response to gender-based violence: Phase II (PDF)
Budiharsana,Meiwita P.; Mai Quoc Tung
Final project evaluation report
Publication date: 2009
Innovative approaches to strengthen health management and information system
Vietnam-US Magazine September(Special English Suppl. for Vietnam's Presidency in the UN Security Council New York Meeting and the Vietnam Investment Forum)
Publication date: 2009
Primary health improvement initiative, micro-pilot use of evidence computerized data entry system at commune health centers: Lessons learned
Thu Ha,Tran; Lavergne,Ruth; Hughes,Jane; Budiharsana,Meiwita P.
Publication date: 2009
Strengthening the health information management system in Thai Nguyen
Vietnam-US Magazine (July-August)
Publication date: 2009
The role of abortion in the last stage of fertility decline in Vietnam (PDF)
Teerawichitchainan,Bussarawan; Amin,Sajeda
Poverty, Gender, and Youth Working Paper (no. 15)
Publication date: 2009
Ethnic differentials in parental health seeking for childhood illness in Vietnam (abstract)
Teerawichitchainan,Bussarawan; Phillips,James F.
Social Science and Medicine 66(5): 1118-1130
Publication date: 2008
Final evaluation report on the pilot introduction of youth friendly reproductive health services in Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, and An Giang
Population Council; Consultation of Investment in Health Promotion (CIHP); Reproductive Health Projects
Publication date: 2008
Improving hospital-based quality of care in Vietnam by reducing HIV-related stigma and discrimination (PDF)
Khuat Thi Hai Oanh; Ashburn,Kim; Pulerwitz,Julie; Ogden,Jessica; Nyblade,Laura
Horizons Final Report
Publication date: 2008
Safe and Friendly Health Facility: Trainer's Guide (PDF)
Khuat Thi Hai Oanh; Pham Duc Muc; Kidd,Ross
Publication date: 2008
The role of temporary migration in rural household economic strategy in a transitional period for the economy of Vietnam (abstract)
Pham Nguyen Bang; Hill,Peter S.
Asian Population Studies 4(1): 57-75
Publication date: 2008
Changing transitions to adulthood in Vietnam's remote northern uplands: A focus on ethnic minority youth and their families (PDF) (HTML)
Teerawichitchainan,Bussarawan; Hac Van Vinh; Nguyen Thi Phuong Lan
Publication date: 2007
Changing transitions to adulthood in Vietnam's remote northern uplands: A focus on ethnic minority youth and their families [Vietnamese] (PDF) (HTML)
Teerawichitchainan,Bussarawan; Hac Van Vinh; Nguyen Thi Phuong Lan
Publication date: 2007
Ethnic differentials in parental health seeking for childhood illness in Vietnam (PDF)
Teerawichitchainan,Bussarawan; Phillips,James F.
Poverty, Gender, and Youth Working Paper (no. 3)
Publication date: 2007
Vietnamese aging and marital sexual behavior in comparative perspective (abstract)
Knodel,John; Vu Tuan Huy; Vu Manh Loi; Ghuman,Sharon
Asian Population Studies 3(1): 57-78
Publication date: 2007
Vietnamese health policies to improve fairness may miss ethnic minorities, study finds
(PDF)
Population Briefs 13(3)
Publication date: 2007
A pilot of audio computer-assisted self-interview for youth reproductive health research in Vietnam (abstract)
Le,Linh Cu; Blum,Robert W.; Magnani,Robert; Hewett,Paul C.; Hoa Mai Do
Journal of Adolescent Health 38(6): 740-747
Publication date: 2006
Baseline study on youth friendly reproductive health services in three cities: Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh and Long Xuyen (An Giang province)
Mai,Le Thi Phuong; Nhan,Vu Quy; Anh,Hoang Tu; Huyen,D.T.
Publication date: 2006
Continuity and change in premarital sex in Vietnam (abstract) (PDF)
Ghuman,Sharon; Vu Manh Loi; Vu Tuan Huy; Knodel,John
International Family Planning Perspectives 32(4): 166-174
Publication date: 2006
Policy lessons of the East Asian demographic transition (PDF)
McNicoll,Geoffrey
Policy Research Division Working Paper (no. 210)
Publication date: 2006
Policy lessons of the East Asian demographic transition (abstract) (PDF)
McNicoll,Geoffrey
Population and Development Review 32(1): 1-25
Publication date: 2006
Questionnaires used in the 2006 Youth and Family Study to gather information on young people, households, and the community (PDF) (HTML)
Publication date: 2006
Report on pre-intervention assessment of primary health care and prevention services at the commune level in Da Nang City
Hughes,Jane; Phillips,James F.; Nhan,Vu Quy; Mai,Le Thi Phuong
Publication date: 2006
Report on pre-intervention assessment of primary health care and prevention services at the commune level in Khanh Hoa Province
Hughes,Jane; Phillips,James F.; Nhan,Vu Quy; Mai,Le Thi Phuong
Publication date: 2006
Synthesis report on pre-intervention assessment of primary health care and prevention services at the commune level in Da Nang City and Khanh Hoa Province
Hughes,Jane; Phillips,James F.; Nhan,Vu Quy; Mai,Le Thi Phuong
Publication date: 2006
The implications of trade liberalization for working women's marriage: Case studies of Bangladesh, Egypt and Vietnam
Amin,Sajeda; Grown,Caren; Braunstein,Elissa; Malhotra,Anju
from Trading Women's Health & Rights? Trade Liberalization and Reproductive Health in Developing Countries, pp. 97-120
Publication date: 2006
"Population Council in Vietnam: An introduction," brochure (PDF)
Publication date: 2005
Assisting professionals in India, Pakistan, Sudan, and Vietnam (PDF)
Population Council Annual Report 2004
Publication date: 2005
Attitudes toward marriage among the urban middle-class in Vietnam, Thailand, and the Philippines
Williams,Lindy; Guest,Philip
Journal of Comparative Family Studies 36(2): 163-186
Publication date: 2005
Building postgraduate capacity in medical and public health research in Vietnam: An in-service training model (abstract)
Goto,Aya; Nguyen Thi Ngoc Phuong; Nguyen Thi Mai Huong; Hughes,Jane
Public Health 119(3): 174-183
Publication date: 2005
Effectiveness of lifesaving skills training and improving institutional emergency obstetric care readiness in Lam Dong, Vietnam (abstract)
Sloan,Nancy L.; Nguyen Thi Nhu Ngoc; Do Trong Hieu; Quimby,Charlotte; Winikoff,Beverly; Fassihian,Goli
Journal of Midwifery and Women's Health 50(4): 315-323
Publication date: 2005
Final assessment of the reproductive health project in Nghe An Province
Mai,Le Thi Phuong; Nhan,Vu Quy
Publication date: 2005
Findings of the pre- and post-intervention evaluation conducted at health facilities and districts and communes in Hanoi
Mai,Le Thi Phuong; Le,Ngoc Lan; Thom,N.T.; Tuan,P.L.
Publication date: 2005
Gender and gender-based violence: What health providers can do to help female victims
Mai,Le Thi Phuong
Publication date: 2005
Is focus on premarital sex in Vietnam warranted? (PDF)
Population Briefs 10(2)
Publication date: 2004
Is home-based administration of prostaglandin safe and feasible for medical abortion? Results from a multisite study in Vietnam (abstract)
Nguyen Thi Nhu Ngoc; Vu,Quy Nhan; Blum,Jennifer; Tran Thi Phuong Mai; Durocher,Jill M.; Winikoff,Beverly
BJOG: An International Journal of Obstetrics and GynaecologyBJOG: An Internal Journal of Obs Gyn 111(8): 814-819
Publication date: 2004
A mid-term assessment on public sector reproductive health services in Nghe An province
Mai,Le Thi Phuong; Nhan,Vu Quy
Publication date: 2003
Adolescents in Vietnam: Looking beyond reproductive health (abstract) (PDF)
Mensch,Barbara S.; Clark,Wesley H.; Dang Nguyen Anh
Studies in Family Planning 34(4): 249-262
Publication date: 2003
Expanding workplace HIV prevention programs for a highly mobile population in Ho Chi Minh City (PDF)
Vu Ngoc Bao; Guest,Philip; Pulerwitz,Julie; Le Thuy Lan Thao; Duong Xuan Dinh; Tran Thi Kim Xuyen; Levin,Ann
Horizons Research Summary
Publication date: 2003
Expanding workplace HIV/AIDS prevention activities for a highly mobile population: Construction workers in Ho Chi Minh City (PDF)
Vu Ngoc Bao; Guest,Philip; Pulerwitz,Julie; Le Thuy Lan Thao; Duong Xuan Dinh; Tran Thi Kim Xuyen; Levin,Ann
Horizons project report
Publication date: 2003
An evaluation of the workplace-based HIV/AIDS program for garment workers in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
Vu Ngoc Bao; Le Thuy Lan Thao; Duong Xuan Dinh; Tran Thi Kim Xuyen
Preliminary report
Publication date: 2002
Expanding HIV/AIDS prevention education through traditional theatre for Khmer people in Vietnam
Hong,Khuat Thu; Nguyen Thi Mai Huong
Project report
Publication date: 2002
Household utilization and expenditure on private and public health services in Vietnam (abstract)
Nguyen Thi Hong Ha; Berman,Peter; Larsen,Ulla
Health Policy and Planning 17(1): 61-70
Publication date: 2002
Motivating construction companies to participate in workplace HIV/AIDS program: Findings from Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
Vu Ngoc Bao; Guest,Philip; Pulerwitz,Julie; Le Thuy Lan Thao; Duong Xuan Dinh; Tran Thi Kim Xuyen
Horizons Research Summary
Publication date: 2002
Premarital sex in Vietnam: Is the current concern with adolescent reproductive health warranted? (PDF)
Mensch,Barbara S.; Clark,Wesley H.; Dang Nguyen Anh
Policy Research Division Working Paper (no. 163)
Publication date: 2002
Soccer and HIV/AIDS prevention for disadvantaged youth in Hanoi: An action research on 'edutainment' approach and youth involvement
Anh,Hoang Tu
Preliminary report
Publication date: 2002
Tackling domestic violence: Adapting guidelines materials for rural communities
Mai,Le Thi Phuong; Willshire,Lucinda
Project report
Publication date: 2002
The baseline study on gender-based violence conducted at health facilities and communes in Gia Lam District, Hanoi
Mai,Le Thi Phuong; Le,Ngoc Lan
Publication date: 2002
The prevalence of reproductive tract infections in Hue, Vietnam (abstract) (PDF)
Phan Thi Lien; Elias,Christopher J.; Nguyen Thi Loi; Bui Thi Chi; Nguyen Hua Phuc; Gardner,Michelle
Studies in Family Planning 33(3): 217-226
Publication date: 2002
A baseline survey on public sector reproductive health services in Nghe An Province
Vu,Quy Nhan; Mai,Le Thi Phuong; Nguyen Thi Thom
Publication date: 2001
A situation analysis of public sector reproductive health services in seven provinces of Vietnam
Nhan,Vu Quy; Mai,Le Thi Phuong; Nguyen Trong Hau; Miller,Robert A.; Kane,Thomas T.; Stoeckel,John E.; Long,Lynellyn D.; Bui,Thi Thu Ha; Chu,Phuc Thi; Nguyen Thi Thom
Publication date: 2001
A situation analysis of the private reproductive health services in five provinces of Vietnam
Long,Lynellyn D.; Dang Nguyen Anh; Nguyen Trong Hau; Nguyen Thi Hong Ha; Do,Quan Ha; Kane,Thomas T.; Haub,Carl; Chu,Phuc Thi
Publication date: 2001
Evaluation report on the soccer and HIV/AIDS prevention education for out-of-school youth in Quang Ninh Province
Vu Ngoc Bao; Taylor,Yvonne
Publication date: 2001
Public and private sector care for women with reproductive tract infection symptoms in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam: A controlled observational study
Mai,Pham Huu Hoang; Tran,Thi Loi; Nguyen Quang Vinh
Publication date: 2001
Reproductive health services in Can Tho: A situation analysis of the public and private health sectors
Vu Ngoc Bao; Nhan,Vu Quy
Publication date: 2001
Situation analysis of public-sector reproductive health services in Quang Nam province
Nhan,Vu Quy; Mai,Le Thi Phuong; Nguyen Thi Thom
Publication date: 2001
Changing gender relations in Vietnam's post Doi Moi era
Long,Lynellyn D.; Le,Ngoc Hung; Truitt,Allison; Mai,Le Thi Phuong; Dang Nguyen Anh
Publication date: 2000
Khmer theater: An alternative model for HIV prevention: Final report on the AIDS Info Theater Project
Nguyen Thi Mai Huong; Vu Ngoc Bao; Taylor,Yvonne
Publication date: 2000
Market reforms and internal labor migration in Vietnam (abstract)
Dang Nguyen Anh
Asian and Pacific Migration Journal 8(3): 381-409
Publication date: 2000
Report of an intervention project: Training and developing counseling material on domestic violence and reproductive health for the counseling center hotline in Ho Chi Minh City
Mai,Le Thi Phuong; Landfield,Katherine
Publication date: 2000
The Doi Moi Generation: Coming of age in Vietnam today
Long,Lynellyn D.; Henderson,Lyn Nguyen; Mai,Le Thi Phuong; Haub,Carl
Publication date: 2000
Changes in work and fertility patterns in households during Vietnam's post Doi Moi period, 1994-1999
Long,Lynellyn D.; Mai,Le Thi Phuong
Publication date: 1999
Provision of reproductive health services in Hai Phong, Vietnam: A qualitative analysis. Report for the World Bank
Long,Lynellyn D.; Taylor,Yvonne
Publication date: 1999
Results from baseline survey on quality of reproductive health services in Kontum
Nhan,Vu Quy; Mai,Le Thi Phuong
Publication date: 1999
Safety, efficacy and acceptability of mifepristone-misoprostol medical abortion in Vietnam (abstract) (PDF)
Nguyen Thi Nhu Ngoc; Winikoff,Beverly; Clark,Shelley; Ellertson,Charlotte; Khong Ngoc Am; Do Trong Hieu; Elul,Batya
International Family Planning Perspectives 25(1): 10-14,33
Publication date: 1999
Suffered lives: Assessment of social and behavioral practices for HIV/AIDS prevention in Can Tho
Vu Ngoc Bao; Long,Lynellyn D.; Taylor,Yvonne
Publication date: 1999
Fast track back: Viet Kieu narratives of return
Long,Lynellyn D.; Mortland,C.
from Selected Papers on Refugee Issues VI
Publication date: 1998
Men's attitudes towards family planning: A pilot study in two communes in northern Vietnam
Montagu,Dominic; Mai,Le Thi Phuong
Research Report (no. 8)
Publication date: 1998
Quality of care, gender and reproductive health
Vu,Quy Nhan; Long,Lynellyn D.
Publication date: 1998
Study on sexuality in Vietnam: The known and unknown issues
Hong,Khuat Thu
South & East Asia Regional Working Paper (no. 11)
Publication date: 1998
Violence and its consequences for reproductive health: The Vietnam case
Mai,Le Thi Phuong
South & East Asia Regional Working Paper (no. 12)
Publication date: 1998
A study of Vietnamese youth's decision making for health and HIV/AIDS prevention in Kien Giang and Quang Ninh Provinces
Publication date: 1997
Access to reproductive health services of sex workers in Ho Chi Minh City
South & East Asia Research Report (no. 7)
Publication date: 1997
Production, reproduction, and family well-being. The analysis of gender relations in Vietnamese households
Havanon,Napaporn; Archavantikul,Kritaya
Publication date: 1997
Contraceptive use dynamics in Vietnam
Do Trong Hieu; Phan,Thue Anh; Nguyen Quan Son; Quan,Le Nga
Publication date: 1996
Vietnam's population and family planning program as viewed by its implementers
Knodel,John; Anh,Phan Thuc; Vinh,Dao Xuan
South & East Asia Regional Working Paper (no. 2)
Publication date: 1995
Vietnam Fast Facts
| Population (millions) | 89.0 |
|---|---|
| Total fertility rate | 2.0 |
| Infant deaths per 1,000 live births | 16 |
| Maternal deaths per 100,000 live births | 56 |
| Girls aged 20-24 married by age 18 (%) | 10 |
| HIV/AIDS prevalence (%) | 0.4 |
| Living below US $2 per day (%) | 38 |
Country statistics from Demographic and Health Surveys, 1987–2011; UNAIDS and UNICEF websites (accessed 10/22/2012); "World Population Data Sheet" (Population Reference Bureau, 2012) | |
What's New
- 31 January 2013 | Bixby fellowship application deadline: The Council’s Fred H. Bixby Fellowship Program expands training opportunities for social scientists and biomedical researchers in the health and population fields. The program is geared toward developing-country nationals in the early stages of their careers. (more)
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