At the International Scientific Conference on School Nutrition in 2025: For a healthy Vietnam - For Vietnamese stature held on the morning of August 14 organized by the Central Propaganda and Mass Mobilization Committee in coordination with the Ministry of Education and Training, the Ministry of Health with the support of TH Group, Deputy Minister of Health Nguyen Tri Thuc said that, looking back on the past journey, Vietnam has the right to be proud to become a bright spot on the world map on nutrition improvement. In the period 2010-2020, the average height of 18-year-olds has increased significantly: men are 3.7 cm tall, women are 2.6 cm tall.
The rate of undernourishment in children under 5 years old also decreased dramatically, from more than 30% to less than 19.6% in 2020 - faster than the average in Southeast Asia. These figures are proof of the persistent efforts of the entire political system and society.
"In addition to the achievements, school nutrition in Vietnam still faces many challenges. The double burden of nutrition still exists: malnutrition is still high in disadvantaged areas, while overweight and obesity in the 5-19 age group increased from 8.5% in 2010 to 19,0% in 2020, especially in urban areas to 26.8%. Deficiency of micronutrients such as iron, zinc, vitamin D is still common, especially in children in remote areas. The quality of school meals is not uniform, in rural areas it is still lacking and unbalanced, in urban areas there is excess protein, fat and processed foods. The management of canteens, food around the school, clean water, sanitation and facilities for physical exercise has not yet met the requirements," said the Deputy Minister of Health.
Dr. Le Thai Ha, Deputy Director of the Department of Prevention and Control (Ministry of Health) said that the draft Law on Disease Control under construction will focus on a chapter on school nutrition.
Accordingly, students will be guaranteed standard meals according to age and this regulation will shift from the "recommended" level to the "compromising".
We expect that when the law is passed at the October 2025 session, it will be an effective legal tool to synchronize and standardize school nutrition nationwide, said Dr. Ha.
At the workshop, the Deputy Minister of Health called on the whole society to join hands to make school nutrition a top priority in programs and action plans. The education sector and the teaching staff are expected to be pioneers in leading the change. The business community needs to promote social responsibility, accompany the Government and ministries and branches to bring nutritious school meals to all children. Parents should start from the family kitchen, becoming trusted allies on the journey to nurture future generations. At the same time, the Ministry of Health respectfully requests international partners to continue to stand side by side and share valuable experiences so that Vietnam can soon realize the goal of improving the stature, physical strength and intelligence of children.
Concluding and directing the workshop, Comrade Nguyen Trong Nghia, Politburo member, Secretary of the Party Central Committee, Head of the Central Propaganda and Mass Mobilization Commission, emphasized that the recommendations at the workshop are an important basis for relevant ministries, departments and branches to advise and develop policies. He directed: Focus on researching, advising, developing and perfecting a comprehensive policy framework on nutrition, contributing to the successful implementation of the Party and State's policies and guidelines on health care, human resource development, and improving the quality of life of the people, especially the younger generation.
The workshop reached a consensus that it is time for Vietnam to legalize regulations on school nutrition, move towards building a Law on Nutrition/Law on School Nutrition; affirming the determination of the Party, State, departments, ministries, branches, localities and the whole society in investing in future generations, for the stature of Vietnam, for a healthy Vietnam.
