Vietnam’s economic model in the post-renewal process has yielded high growth rates and helped the majority of the population escape poverty. But increasing social inequality has become an issue of concern for authorities.
![]() |
| Photo for illustration |
Vietnamese people’s average income has increased significantly over the past several decades, from US$100 in 1990 to US$2,300 in 2015.
More than 30 million people have escaped poverty and the economy records an average annual growth rate of 5%-6%. Despite effective social security policies, the gap between the rich and the poor in Vietnam is widening.
Reducing inequality, from words to action
Tackling inequality is crucial in building a democratic and civilized society.
“We are doing our utmost to curb inequality, particularly in healthcare, education and policies for the poor. A lot has been done to preserve ethnic group languages and cultures. I think when ethnic people are empowered and given confidence, their lives will be much better and their social status will improve”, said Ngo Truong Thi, Director General of the National Office for Poverty Reduction of the Ministry of Labor, Invalids and Social Affairs.
Poverty reduction is an effective way to deal with social inequality. For example, a project funded by the UNDP and the Irish Embassy in Vietnam from 2012 to 2015 helped residents in 8 provinces improve their awareness, expand innovative models, and promote the role of the community and individuals in poverty reduction.
“We have created a model to assist poor people’s livelihoods. Notably, the creativity and self-reliance of local authorities and poor people have been brought into full play”, said Pham Truong Tho, Vice Chairman of the People’s Commitee of Quang Ngai, a project beneficiary.
Consistent reform to narrow the inequality gap
However, Babeth Ngoc Han Lefur, Oxfam Country Director in Vietnam, says that poverty reduction projects are not enough.
She suggests that Vietnam apply advanced policies on state governance, taxation, public spending and services, employees’ rights, and people’s participation to close the gap between the rich and the poor.
“Vietnam is focusing on institutional reform to ensure transparency and effectiveness in macro-economic policies, particularly in investment. It’s important to maintain successful policies toward promoting empowerment, decentralization, and people’s participation”, said Director General Ngo Truong Thi.
Under the plan, all central and local media outlets are required to launch columns on the campaign, maintain regular coverage, and produce at least five to seven in-depth reports each month in key search areas. Media agencies will also be encouraged to gather and verify valuable information and develop high-quality products in both Vietnamese and foreign languages, including feature articles, documentaries, reports and short videos.
Ambassador Pham Quang Hieu expressed confidence that the establishment will serve as a strong spiritual anchor for Vietnamese people living in Japan while contributing to friendship and cultural exchanges between the two countries.
Cyberspace now runs through children’s learning, entertainment, and daily lives, but warned it is laced with dangerous content, online insults, threats, and seemingly harmless clicks that can trigger fraud, data breaches, and risks children who are not yet equipped to handle.
Cambodia’s General Department of Immigration under the Ministry of Interior deported the group for violations of regulations related to immigration, labour and residency.
A scholar has stressed the need for Vietnam to make use of cooperation opportunities arising from the RoK’s foreign policy, particularly in semiconductor technology, artificial intelligence (AI), supply chains, digital transformation, and green energy, as well as chances in multilateral diplomacy.
Protecting children in the digital environment is becoming an increasingly urgent issue as children gain access to the internet earlier and face growing online risks.
The citizens, whose registered living places, are mainly in northern, central, Central Highlands, and southwestern localities, had travelled to Cambodia through different border gates at various times.
VOV.VN - Vietnam’s competent agencies have dismantled a self-proclaimed organisation known as “Bahnar Dega Kon Kong” in the Central Highlands, describing it as a variant of the outlawed “Dega Protestantism” movement allegedly directed by overseas FULRO-linked extremists.
Police in Ho Chi Minh City have filed charges against 35 people with illegally storing and trading toxic substances in connection with a large-scale cross-border cyanide smuggling ring, investigators said on May 23.
The 2026 fundraising programme served as a platform connecting art and compassion while spreading the message that “No one should fight cancer alone.”
Pham Van Hat is best known as the creator of the made-in-Vietnam “Seed Sowing Robot,” now exported to 15 countries, alongside dozens of practical inventions that have eased labour for thousands of farmers.
Films, music, television programmes, e-books, video games, journalistic works, images and creative data can now be copied, edited and redistributed within minutes. While copyright violations were once linked mainly to pirated discs or counterfeit books, infringements have shifted online with faster speed, wider scale and greater anonymity.
Consul General Nguyen Viet Kien stressed President Ho Chi Minh’s reputation and career transcended Vietnam’s borders to inspire liberation movements worldwide, and that his ideas on the right to self-determination, peace, and friendship among nations remain deeply relevant today.
Party General Secretary and State President To Lam stressed that citizens should have access to stable, safe and affordable housing suited to eligible beneficiaries, with rental housing becoming a long-term pillar.
Sailing Ship 286 – Le Quy Don of the Vietnam People’s Navy (VPN) departed on May 16 for a diplomatic and training voyage to Thailand and Cambodia, combining naval exchanges with long-distance maritime training for cadets.
A key target under the new plan is the establishment of five digital technology incubators, or Deeptech Hubs, at universities and research institutes with strong potential. The education ministry also plans to launch a training programme for 1,000 outstanding technology entrepreneurs and develop criteria for selecting and supporting startup ecosystems within educational institutions.
During the second phase of the 25th campaign, nearly two months of operations under challenging terrain and weather conditions, as well as the dangers posed by unexploded ordnance, enabled search teams to recover 158 sets of remains, bringing the total number recovered during the campaign to 322.
To accelerate the implementation of the the Ethnic Affairs Strategy by 2030, with a vision toward 2045, the Prime Minister requested ministries, agencies and local authorities to continue thoroughly carrying out the Party and State’s policies on ethnic affairs, enhancing the effectiveness of State management and strengthening oversight of policy implementation.
Vietnamese authorities also provided the Chinese side with photographs and video footage recording the rescue operation and repairs to the vessels, demonstrating transparency and Vietnam’s full efforts in maritime search and rescue.
The team examined the APEC 2027 Convention Centre, where main conference activities are scheduled; Sun Serenia Hospital, designated to provide healthcare and emergency medical services for delegates; provincial road DT.975, which connects Phu Quoc International Airport to the convention centre; and the area surrounding Phu Quoc International Airport.