The number of street children has dropped from 23,000 in 2003-2004 to 6,000 so far, according to Nguyen Trong An, director of the Children Department under the National Committee for Population, Family and Children.

The Committee’s recent survey showed that the number of street children decreased remarkably in Hanoi, HCM City and Thanh Hoa province which used to be home to street children roaming around the country.

Thanh Hoa now has only 300 street children compared to the previous figure of 600. Local authorities have provided assistance to families of these children to help them go to school and access healthcare services.

To reduce the number of street children, Mr An said it is essential to promote information dissemination, launch education programmes and grant sustainable assistance.