40th years of Vietnam-UNICEF ties celebrated

The organisation was the first UN agency in Vietnam following the country’s reunification in 1975.

Attending the ceremony, Deputy Prime Minister Vũ Đức Đam thanked UNICEF for working side-by-side with Vietnam on children protection and education efforts over the last 40 years. The Vietnam- UNICEF partnership over the last 40 years has seen Vietnam take some important strides in promoting the rights and well-being of its children.

"The highlight of Vietnam-UNICEF co-operation is to improve infant and maternal health. These are future of the country. These results should be maintained and built on in the future", said Mrs. Pham Thi Hai Chuyen, Minister of Labour of War Invalids and Social Affairs.

Thanks to the partnership, Vietnam has recorded impressive gains since 1986 including the sharp decrease of 80% in mortality rates of children under the age of 5. Primary education is almost universal and gender equity has dramatically improved. Vietnam has witnessed steep increases in the uptake of polio and tetanus vaccinations. Current challenges include cutting child mortality and curbing malnutrition among children in remote areas of Vietnam.