Positive movements
International Happiness Day March 20 is inspired by Bhutan's Gross National Happiness (GNH) index. Since 1972, Bhutan has been the first country to incorporate "happiness" into its constitution and replace GDP with GNH.
GNH is measured for quality of life through 4 pillars (management, culture, environment, sustainability) and 9 areas including mental health, living standards, education, and time use...
Rankings assessing happy countries often based on criteria such as: GDP per capita, social support, average life expectancy, freedom of choice of life, generosity, awareness of corruption...
In Vietnam, in 2013, the Prime Minister approved a Project to organize activities to celebrate International Day of Happiness March 20 every year. Happiness is no longer just an emotional concept, but gradually becomes a goal in policy making and social governance. All development policies must put people at the center, towards satisfaction and substantive social security, not just stopping at purely economic indicators.
On the basis of this policy, many social security policies of Vietnam have been implemented synchronously, contributing to improving people's lives each year. Especially in the period 2020-2025, with the consistent spirit of "leaving no one behind", the Central Government issued Resolution No. 42-NQ/TW on continuing to innovate and improve the quality of social policies, meeting the requirements of the cause of building and protecting the Fatherland in the new period; Resolution No. 71-NQ/TW on breakthroughs in education and training development; Resolution No. 72-NQ/TW on some breakthrough solutions, strengthening the protection, care and improvement of people's health...
And these are the premises for the 2025 World Happiness Report to recognize Vietnam as ranked 46th. This is Vietnam's highest ranking since the report was first published in 2012, up 8 places compared to 2024, up 19 places compared to 2023 and up 50 places compared to the 96th ranking in 2016. This ranking increase not only reflects improved living standards, but also shows social trust, stability and positive feelings of people towards life.
Unabsolute happiness
Of course, behind the growth figures, "happiness" is a concept with differences between population groups.
At a worker's boarding house in Lien Chieu ward, Da Nang city, when asked what happiness is, Ms. Nguyen Thi Hanh (32 years old), a garment worker, shared: "For me, happiness is simply having a stable job, having a safe place to send children, and having time to rest at the end of the day. Many times I don't need anything big, just being less worried makes me feel lighter." In another corner, Mr. Tran Van Dung (45 years old), a technology driver in Hai Chau ward, Da Nang city, said: "The happiest thing for me is going to work every day, especially during rush hour without traffic jams, without jostling and safe every day, without traffic collisions or unexpected incidents". Meanwhile, Ms. Le Thi Lan (58 years old), who is being treated for chronic diseases at a medical facility in Da Nang, said: "Happiness for patients like me is being conveniently examined and treated, not having to wait too long, and especially the hospital fees are within my ability to pay. When I don't have to worry about hospital fees, I also feel
Thus, happiness is not abstract. These are very specific needs of people, from stable jobs, convenient medical services, smooth traffic, and a safe living environment. Not only stopping at material things, many people are also starting to pay more attention to mental health. Work pressure, fast pace of life, loneliness in the city, or prolonged stress make the need to rest, balance life, be shared and connected more obvious. This is an increasingly important factor in feeling happy, but has not been fully recognized.
To further improve happiness indicators, the requirement is not only to maintain growth rates, but also to improve the quality of development comprehensively. In the economic field, it is necessary to continue to create sustainable jobs, increase real income, especially for workers and low-income people. Social housing programs need to be linked to essential infrastructure such as schools, medical facilities, and cultural institutions. In the cultural field, it is necessary to build a healthy living environment, promote positive lifestyles, strengthen community activities, and pay more attention to people's mental health. In the social field, it is necessary to focus on improving people's experiences when accessing public services: Reduce waiting times for medical examinations, improve the quality of education, and develop public transport to reduce congestion and urban pressure.
These growth targets require the synchronous and drastic involvement of all levels of government. Not only stopping at plans or movements, but needing to be concretized by measurable actions, from a more efficient bus route, a worker housing area accompanied by a kindergarten, a truly overloaded hospital, and a shortened administrative procedure. Or a sense of peace of mind about life.
Happiness is a national strategy
The 14th Party Congress has set a goal to strive from now to 2030, Vietnam belongs to the group of 40 countries with the highest happiness index in the world.
The goal is planned with specific strategies of national stature, placing happiness and quality of life of the people at the center of policies.
From Resolution No. 306/NQ-CP on adjusting the National Overall Plan for the period 2021 - 2030, vision to 2050 to Resolution of the 14th Party Congress, major plans have been set out on social security, development of health services, education, and the Human Development Index (HDI) striving to reach about 0.8, and increase per capita income...
Accordingly, a sustainable social security system, diverse and professional social assistance services, promptly supporting and protecting vulnerable groups.
Protecting the living environment is urgently proposed. The proposed plans are aimed at maintaining a green, clean, beautiful living environment, rich in national cultural identity. Improving the capacity to forecast and warn of natural disasters, monitor climate change, manage natural disaster risks, to protect people's lives safely from the risk of storms and floods.
Resolution of the 14th Party Congress clearly states the direction of national development in the period 2026 - 2030, which emphasizes continuing to innovate thinking and action, taking the development perspective for stability, stability to promote development and constantly improve the lives and happiness of the people.
