Vietnam wants to fix a big population problem. The nation aims to balance its birth sex ratio by the year 2035. The Ministry of Health put out a new draft plan recently. The main goal is to reach a natural balance of about 106 boys for every 100 girls born.
Vietnam has seen a high ratio of boys for a long time. The country has one of the highest male rates in all of Asia. Data shows the ratio was 112.2 boys per 100 girls back in 2016. The gap grew even wider a few years later. The number peaked at 114.8 boys per 100 girls in 2018. It dropped down to 110 boys per 100 girls by 2025.
The new government draft sets clear goals for the coming years. Officials want to lower the rate below 109 boys per 100 girls by 2030. They hope to reach a normal level by 2035.
Health workers say old habits cause this large gap. Many families prefer to have sons. Parents feel strong pressure to carry on the family name. People often rely on sons for care in old age. Smaller family sizes make this pressure even higher. Modern medical tools also make it easy to learn the sex of a baby early. Some parents use this knowledge to pick the sex of their child.
The new plan sets out strong actions to stop this practice. The government will enforce laws that ban picking the sex of an unborn baby. Health team staff will inspect clinics and hospitals all across the land. Regulators will also watch the web to block ads for illegal sex selection services.
The government will run public campaigns alongside these legal steps. These ads will teach people about the value of baby girls. They aim to change old minds and stop male bias.
Leaders warn that having too many men brings real danger. It can harm society for a long time. A surplus of young men makes it hard for adults to find life partners. It can lead to a broken marriage market. It also leads to higher rates of gender inequality. Experts warn that human trafficking risks can rise when men cannot find wives.
The gap also creates workforce problems. A balanced population helps keep a nation steady and safe. The government hopes these new steps will protect social peace and bring back health balance.
Achieving this target will require time and hard work. Local groups must work with health teams in every village. Change must happen in clinics and in homes. Doctors need to follow the rules and keep ultrasound results private. Parents need to value girls just as much as boys.
Many nations in Asia face this exact same struggle. Vietnam wants to set a good path for others to follow. Lowering the number of male births will take strong law enforcement and fresh ideas. Officials believe the new draft plan gives the country a clear road ahead. The goal is safe health and a fair home for every child. Success in 2035 will mean a safer future for the whole nation. The government promises to track progress each year to keep the plan on course.
