This new methodology is also part of a cooperation programme between the Vietnamese Government and UNICEF for the 2006-2009 period.

A child is considered to be poor if he/she fails to meet at least two of eight basic requirements, including education, health care, housing, clean water, hygiene, labour safety, entertainment and social welfare.

This means that, if based on the new criteria, Vietnam has around 7 million poor children, or 31 percent of children in the country.