Figures speak for themselves

The 2021 – 2025 emulation movement “For the Poor – Leaving No One Behind”, launched by the Prime Minister, has been widely implemented nationwide. The Government has worked closely with the Central Committee of the Vietnam Fatherland Front to carry out the movement, encouraging self-reliance among the poor and mobilising resources to achieve sustainable poverty reduction. Numerous effective models and initiatives have been identified and scaled up to support households in escaping poverty.

According to the National Office for Poverty Reduction under the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment, poverty reduction results have met and exceeded targets assigned by the National Assembly and the Government. The national multidimensional poverty rate has decreased from 5.2% in 2021 to 1.93% in 2024, with expectations that it will fall further to 0.9–1.1% by the end of 2025. Notably, the poverty rate among ethnic minority groups has dropped to 12.55%, with an average annual reduction of 4.45%.

Pham Hong Dao, Deputy Chief of the National Office for Poverty Reduction, says Vietnam is among the first 30 countries worldwide, and one of the first in Asia, to adopt a multidimensional poverty standard, ensuring a minimum living standard linked to sustainable development goals.

Vietnam has issued eight iterations of national poverty standards following a poverty reduction pyramid model, addressing the needs of the poor progressively and in line with each socio-economic development period. These achievements are widely recognised by the Vietnamese public and highly appreciated by the international community as one of Vietnam’s most notable and human-centred successes during its period of reform and global integration.

A nationwide, unified effort from central to local governments has driven these successes. Society as a whole has responded positively, while poor households are increasingly changing their mindset, moving away from dependence, with many households voluntarily asking to be removed from poverty lists.

The National Assembly and Government have also allocated state budget resources and mobilised funding from across society to implement the national target programme on sustainable poverty reduction.

“The Government has issued a comprehensive system of programmes, mechanisms, policies, and laws to support the poor, prioritising disadvantaged groups, ethnic minorities, and especially difficult areas,” said Dao.
“We are shifting from free aid toward conditional support policies to ensure long-term improvement.”

Toward leaving no one behind

The 2021–2025 programme also integrates gender equality and support for women and girls in poor areas, contributing to Vietnam’s 2030 Agenda goals. These efforts have improved not only income but also the physical and spiritual well-being of residents, especially in disadvantaged regions.

Investment has been prioritised in essential socio-economic infrastructure and inter-regional connectivity, transforming the face of poor and remote areas, narrowing regional disparities, and promoting economic growth and structural transformation. So far, 19 particularly disadvantaged communes in coastal and island regions and three poor districts have officially escaped poverty status.

Despite this progress, challenges remain. Remote and mountainous areas such as the Northern midlands and the Central Highlands still report high poverty rates - over 50% in many places, and even above 70% in some. These areas are at high risk of falling back into poverty.

Many localities still lack basic infrastructure, medical and educational services, clean water, and environmental sanitation. Logistics and production infrastructure remain underdeveloped, limiting livelihood opportunities. In some areas, local people are still passive, relying on assistance. At the same time, climate change, aging populations, urbanisation, and global crises are also adding pressure.

“In some localities, poverty reduction models lack sustainability and fail to align with local conditions, culture, or long-term development needs,” notes Dao.

To meet new challenges, the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment is working with relevant ministries to develop new poverty standards for the 2026–2030 period. Under Directive 05 of the Party’s Secretariat, the Government has been tasked with building a multidimensional, inclusive, and sustainable poverty standard.

“We want to raise the income threshold. Proposed figures include VND2.8 million/month per person in urban areas and VND2.2 million in rural areas. However, some argue the current budget may not support this, suggesting we temporarily extend the 2021–2025 standard. But doing so could undermine effective implementation in the new context,” shares Dao.

The upcoming poverty standard will also revise basic social service indicators, such as access to information, clean water, sanitation, and the environment.

Poverty reduction is also being closely integrated with rural development, green economy initiatives, digital transformation, and climate change adaptation, emphasising sustainable livelihoods. The strategy aims to create stable jobs, enhance digital skills for low-income workers, and expand income opportunities in both urban and rural areas, in line with entrepreneurship and the sharing economy.

Priority is given to vulnerable groups, with strong emphasis on gender equality, child protection, and access to basic services for all.

Vietnam remains firmly committed to the global SDGs by 2030, including ending all forms of poverty everywhere; promoting full, productive, and decent employment for all; ensuring inclusive, equitable, and quality education; and reducing inequality within society.

Vietnam pledges close cooperation with United Nations to realise SDGs

VOV.VN - Vietnam will continue to work closely alongside the United Nation to achieve sustainable development goals (SDGs), promote international integration, and actively contribute to global efforts for peace, stability, and prosperity.