Some 6.2 million Vietnamese are disabled: national survey
People with disabilities account for 2 percent of Vietnam’s population from the age of two upwards, equaling approximately 6.2 million people, according to a national survey released on January 11.
A gathering of people with disabilities in Ninh Binh. Illustrative image (Source: VNA)
Hanoi (VNA) – People with disabilities accountfor 2 percent of Vietnam’s population from the age of two upwards, equalingapproximately 6.2 million people, according to a national survey released onJanuary 11.
The survey is the first of its kind carried out on such alarge scale using international tools, including one specially designed by the UnitedNations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and the Washington Group on DisabilityStatistics to examine child functioning. The General Statistics Office, with technicalsupport from UNICEF, ran the survey for two years in 2016 and 2017.
Accordingly, 13 percent of the Vietnamese population, orclose to 12 million people, lived in households with disabled members. The ratewas forecast to rise in the context of an aging population.
Despite the fact that people with disabilities are subject tofavourable health insurance policies, only 2.3 percent of them have access torehabilitation services when sick or injured.
School attendance rates for children with disabilities,particularly at higher levels of education, were also lower than that of able-bodiedchildren. At the secondary level, below one third of children with disabilitieswent to school at the right age, compared to the proportion of two-thirds amongable-bodied kids. Only two percent of primary and secondary schools in thecountry had been designed to accommodate the needs of pupils with disabilities,while only one seventh of all total schools have a teacher trained in teachingdisabled students.
Lesley Miller, acting chief representative of UNICEF inVietnam, said the survey is important and timely as Vietnam has begun its implementationof the agenda for sustainable development goals (SDGs), which focuses on theprinciple of leaving no one behind.
UNICEF expects that the survey will help Vietnam meet the SDGs’requirement on disability statistics and come up with suitable policies onsocial service and welfare for the disabled group, she noted.
Australian Ambassador to Vietnam Craig Chittick said thesurvey brings about information that could help calculate progress in ensuringthe rights and interests of people with disabilities and their access toeducational and health services. –VNA
Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc has approved a national project designed to give children with disabilities better access to community-based protection, care and education services from 2018 – 2025.
Four Vietnamese students with disabilities are taking part in the Global Information Technology Challenge for Youth with Disabilities (GITC), which is underway in New Delhi, India.
Nguyen Thi Thu Thuong was born with brittle bone disease. All her life, Thuong has tried to come to terms with the physical pain and inconveniences caused by her condition, while helping her peers.
The association for support of the disabled and orphans of Quang Binh and the US organisation Giving It Back to Kids presented 500 wheelchairs to locals with disabilities in the central province on December 1.
The programmes have brought about positive changes to rural infrastructure, comprehensively improved the material and spiritual lives of farmers, and contributed to Vietnam's economic restructuring, said PM Pham Minh Chinh.
The festival highlighted the contributions and robust development of Vietnam's revolutionary press over the past century while promoting press products and showcasing the creativity of Vietnamese journalists.
The programme on sustainable poverty reduction has achieved its annual targets for reducing the poverty rate as assigned by the National Assembly and the Government. It has fulfilled five specific objectives and five five-year goals, and met nine out of 12 indicators related to addressing basic social service shortages.
UNICEF stands ready to support the Government in implementing this important law and in continuing to invest in teachers as the cornerstone of a resilient, inclusive, and high-quality education system for all children.
PM Pham Minh Chinh highlighted how Vietnam's revolutionary press has continuously evolved and strengthened over the past century, affirming its role as a sharp and vital political, cultural, and ideological weapon serving the Fatherland and the people in the glorious revolutionary cause of the Party.
Vietnamese Consul General in Fukuoka Vu Chi Mai highlighted the growing demand for Vietnamese workers in Kyushu, especially in Fukuoka, Oita, and Saga prefectures. Currently, the region employs about 35,000 Vietnamese manual workers and over 5,000 IT engineers.
In Vietnam’s case, she said, President Ho Chi Minh demonstrated his strategic vision by founding the revolutionary press a century ago. The late leader understood the press's role not only as a means to reflect the country’s realities but also as a powerful tool to strengthen national unity and inspire the resistance wars and national construction process.
In recent interviews granted to the Vietnam News Agency (VNA)'s reporters in Mexico, prominent figures reflected on the press’s legacy and its global influence.
VietnamPlus e-newspaper of the VNA clinched an A prize in the “Outstanding Press Product” category for its immersive 3D multimedia project, “Epic of Reunification,” a groundbreaking blend of storytelling and technology. The VNA won another A prize for its eye-catching exhibition booth.
Today, the press for foreign service has evolved into a distinct, irreplaceable force, bridging Vietnam with the world and portraying a nation that is stable, peace-loving, and fully integrated into the international community.
At a review conference held on June 21, Deputy Minister of Construction Nguyen Van Sinh praised the province’s scientific, coordinated, and flexible approach. He noted that the early completion reflects the strong commitment of local authorities, the business community, philanthropists, and residents in improving housing conditions for disadvantaged groups.
The VNA delegation, led by General Director Vu Viet Trang, actively participated in the event, engaging in both professional and diplomatic activities.
In the context where AI dominates and produces vast volumes of content, the only sustainable path forward for journalism is to focus on high-quality content and core values. Journalism must redefine its mission - not to report the fastest, but to provide the most profound and trustworthy value.
Granma and the VNA have great potential for cooperation, especially in sharing content regularly, so that VNA products are published on Granma platforms and vice versa, thereby helping Cuban and Vietnamese people access true information and gain a deep understanding of each other's country and people.
During his stay in China’s Guangzhou city from 1924 to 1927 to prepare for the establishment of a Communist Party to lead Vietnam’s revolution, President Ho Chi Minh founded “Thanh nien” newspaper and released its first issue on June 21, 1925.
Vietnam and Cambodia are hoped to strengthen their robust collaboration across various sectors, particularly in resolving remaining border issues to transform the border area into a zone of peace, friendship, cooperation, and development.
The strategic product, managed and operated by the Vietnam News Agency Digital Media Centre (VNA Media), is an official channel for popularising the Party and State’s information and documents as well as delivering mainstream and trustworthy news to both domestic and international audiences through various kinds of multimedia formats.
Since President Ho Chi Minh founded Thanh Nien (Young People) newspaper in 1925, the Vietnamese revolutionary press has become the voice of the people. During the resistance war against the colonialists, journalists took great personal risks to inspire patriotism and the will of rising up against foreign invaders.
The total investment exceeded 319 billion VND (12.2 million USD), including over 261 billion VND from the state budget and 57.5 billion VND mobilised from businesses, organisations, and individuals.
A gathering of people with disabilities in Ninh Binh. Illustrative image (Source: VNA) 
