VIET NAM - UNDP

Partnering for post-war reconstruction

UNDP supported the Government to address shortages of food and basic goods through the transfer of technology and technical know-how in the agricultural and industrial sectors.

Supporting Doi Moi

UNDP supported the initiation and implementation of administrative reforms to effectively respond to the new tasks of the doi moi reform period, with a focus on one of the top priorities of Viet Nam at that time: strengthening the capacity of economic managers, and in particular of the core group of officials, in economic policy planning and management from the central to local levels.

Shifting the focus onto governance and legislative reforms meeting international norms and standards and sustainable poverty reduction

In 1994, UNDP helped Viet Nam initiate judicial and public administration reforms. Assistance included developing national pro-poor policies and a poverty reduction programme, as well as capacity building support and technical assistance aimed at institutional development for effective governance.

VELP graduates leading Viet Nam today

From 2008 to 2015, more than 20 senior leaders participated in the Viet Nam Executive Leadership Programme (VELP) every year. International expertise and experience on a wide range of development issues were covered under VELP, such as roundtables reviewing 20 years of doi moi and supporting the formulation of socioeconomic development strategies for the 2001-2010 and 2011-2020 periods. These policy dialogue forums accelerated Viet Nam’s economic, legal, and public administration reforms and supported the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals (MDG).

Driving thought leadership in Viet Nam’s development journey

UNDP has conducted research and hosted policy dialogues to address key challenges and propel Viet Nam’s pursuit of inclusive growth while avoiding the middle-income trap. Through initiatives such as the National Human Development Reports, Social Assistance Reform Master Plan, Development Finance Assessments, 4.0 readiness assessment, Climate Public Expenditure and Investment Review, Green Growth Strategy, Financing for Development, Energy Transition Financing, and Fossil Fuel Subsidy policy, as well as the Justice Index and anti-corruption studies, UNDP is supporting Viet Nam to shape a more prosperous and equitable future.

Breakthrough first Enterprise Law creates over 1 million jobs

In 1999, the UNDP-supported Enterprise Law was a breakthrough in creating a level playing field for enterprises of all ownership forms. The law, which became effective in 2000, led to a boom in private enterprises and the creation of more than one million jobs within three years.

Leveraging Viet Nam’s social impact business ecosystem in response to COVID-19

The ISEE-COVID initiative has helped enhance the resilience of social impact businesses (SIB) in Viet Nam and contributed to reducing the impact of COVID-19 on vulnerable groups, particularly women and girls. Through the COVID Adaptation Programme, 31 SIBs have developed and tested new business models, products, and services. These SIBs have increased their revenue, introduced new products, and created job opportunities for vulnerable people. Many are led by and employ women, persons with disabilities, and LGBTIQ+ people. Moreover, more than 200 SIBs have benefited from training, capacity building, investment promotion, and improved market access.

Grassroots digital telehealth to enhance people’s access to quality health care

UNDP, in partnership with the Ministry of Health and eight provinces, has piloted the ‘Doctor for Everyone’ digital telehealth system, which is enabling commune health staff to seek consultation from their colleagues at the district and higher levels. This has enhanced people’s access to quality health diagnoses and treatment at commune health stations and reduced overloading at district and higher-level health facilities. More than 87,500 community members now have accounts and 5,000 people have had their first health examination appointments with commune health stations.

Innovations in SDG financing, monitoring, and reporting

UNDP has been at the forefront of accelerating the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), contributing to the National Action Plan to implement the 2030 Agenda for SDGs, the preparation of Viet Nam’s 5-year Voluntary National Review Report, and the Leave No One Behind (LNOB) Data Repository on SDG progress among ethnic minorities. As an example of innovations in SDG financing, monitoring, and reporting, UNDP has engaged 7,000 youth in sharing their views on SDGs to support Viet Nam’s Voluntary National Review.

Strategy reduces poverty by 50 percent

UNDP’s technical assistance on poverty reduction has supported the Government of Viet Nam‘s effective implementation of its national policies and programmes by drawing on lessons and experiences from UNDP-UNCDF and UNDP-IFAD community-based rural development projects. Poverty rates were slashed by 50% between the 1990s and the early 2000s. Viet Nam is recognized as a global champion in eliminating chronic hunger and reducing poverty.

Recognizing multi-dimensional poverty

UNDP has supported Viet Nam in recognizing multi-dimensional poverty by institutionalizing a Master Plan for Social Assistance Reform and Multi-Dimensional Poverty Measurement since 2015. This approach has been incorporated into national poverty reduction policies and programmes to address existing and emerging vulnerabilities, ensuring that no one is left behind. UNDP’s analytical reports have influenced the adoption of a higher Multi-Dimensional Poverty line benefiting 15 million people and have contributed to shaping a new social protection package by the government, which has reached 27 million people, including migrants and ethnic minorities.

Integrated support to improve wellbeing for ethnic minorities

UNDP’s work with ethnic minorities plays a significant role in promoting their wellbeing. UNDP has adopted a holistic approach in supporting the Government of Viet Nam to improve the overall conditions for ethnic minorities, encompassing various areas such as policy advocacy, increased political participation, and promotion of the political and economic empowerment of ethnic minorities. Innovative solutions to enhance e-government services and improve the livelihoods of ethnic minorities have been successfully piloted in remote areas. UNDP is committed to addressing climate change by focusing on climate justice and safeguarding human rights for ethnic minorities.

Supporting Viet Nam in raising its NDC ambitions and adopting the 2050 net zero long-term strategy

UNDP provided technical support to the Government through the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment to raise ambitions in the 2022 Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC), aiming for a 15.8% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions through national resources and an even greater reduction of 43.5% if international support is provided. UNDP has also assisted in preparing the national climate change strategy to achieve net zero emissions by 2050, developing a monitoring, reporting, and verification (MRV) system for tracking greenhouse gas emissions, implementing energy efficiency in the building sector, and facilitating the transition to e-mobility and electric vehicles.

Energy efficiency and sustainable construction towards a low-carbon Viet Nam

The Energy Efficiency Improvement in Commercial and High-Rise Residential Buildings project reduced greenhouse gas emissions by 73,035 tCO2e. Another 10,000 tons of CO2 emissions were reduced through demonstrations in new and retrofitted buildings. This project played a crucial role in shaping policies, establishing technical standards, and supporting energy-saving solutions. Meanwhile, the Non-Fired Brick project reduced greenhouse gas emissions by transitioning away from coal and utilizing waste ash from thermal power plants, thus avoiding the release of 1.8 million tCO2e. It also conserved agricultural land and introduced automated production technology, trained 1,600 individuals, and expanded the non-fired brick market share by 28% by 2018.

Supporting the Just Energy Transition (JET) in Viet Nam

As an impartial partner and thought leader, UNDP collaborates with key government ministries and development partners to assist Viet Nam in preparing, implementing, and monitoring the transition towards green and low-carbon development, achieving its COP26 commitment for net zero by 2050. UNDP provides support to the government and international development partners in preparing for the establishment of the Just Energy Transition Partnership (JETP) secretariat and the development of a resource mobilization plan. UNDP’s technical assistance covers vital areas such as marine spatial planning to unlock offshore wind energy, phasing out coal, building capacity and developing policies for offshore wind power, ensuring a just and equitable transition towards sustainable energy solutions, leveraging finance for climate action, and fostering south-south cooperation.

One third of most vulnerable communes prepared for disaster response and recovery

UNDP is supporting Viet Nam to implement the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction, part of which has been rolling out and institutionalizing community-based disaster risk management programmes. More than 1.6 million people - a third of those living in the most vulnerable communes in Viet Nam - have been trained and have participated in developing their own local risk reduction and response plans.

Responding to disaster: emergency relief and support

In collaboration with national and local authorities, UNDP has provided vital emergency assistance to vulnerable households, including those who are poor, near-poor, persons with disabilities, and elderly, during natural disasters and the COVID-19 pandemic. This support has been recognized as timely and effective, actively contributing to the government’s efforts to ensure social security during times of crisis.

7,100 storm-resilient houses built for the most vulnerable households

More than 7,100 resilient homes have been built for the most disadvantaged coastal families, especially female-headed households, persons with disabilities, and the elderly. This successful model needs to be scaled up to strengthen the resilience of vulnerable coastal communities. According to a recent study conducted by UNDP and the Ministry of Construction, over 110,000 families still live without safe housing across its 28 coastal provinces.

Conserving nearly 30,000 species of flora and fauna

Since 1993, UNDP has been a close partner in conserving Viet Nam’s rich and global significant biodiversity, encompassing 13,000 flora and 15,000 fauna species. Moving forward, UNDP will support mainstreaming biodiversity and natural resource conservation across sectoral development policies, strengthening protected area systems, and designing a sustainable finance framework to crowd in the private sector.

Protecting forests, empowering communities, and shifting focus on forest quality

UNDP has helped reduce deforestation, forest degradation, and protect ecosystems by providing support in assessing the implementation of the 2004 Law on Forest Protection and Development. UNDP has also supported the formulation and implementation of the 2017 Law on Forestry. These efforts have directly benefited approximately half a million individuals who depend on forests for their livelihoods, resulting in improved incomes and living conditions. UNDP has also contributed to a paradigm shift away from focusing on the quantity of the forest cover to the quality of the forest. A closed-door forest policy has been adopted since 2017 so that natural forest land is no longer being converted to other social economic activities.

Creating an enabling environment for a circular economy

UNDP’s support laid a strong foundation for the circular economy. This includes developing legal frameworks, policies, and enhancing the capacity of the government. UNDP has worked with MONRE to launch the Vietnam Circular Economy Hub to enhance dialogue, generate knowhow and mobilize collective action towards the transition to a circular economy in the country. Moving forward, UNDP’s support will continue developing and implementing the National Action Plan for Circular Economy, establishment of a mechanism for measuring circularity, development of circular business models, and capacity building for stakeholders, focus on key sectors such as chemical, wastewater, agriculture, plastic, textile…

Empowering women waste workers and advancing a circular economy: initiatives in waste management

UNDP has engaged the private sector and support extended producer responsibilities (EPR) policy, waste sorting at source regulation, while focusing on empowering the informal sector, particularly women and vulnerable waste pickers. Around 2,000 women waste workers have been trained in 42 courses, equipped with bicycles, trolleys, personal protective equipment and had access to revolving funds to improve their livelihoods. As next steps, UNDP’s support will focus on establishment of material recovery facilities (MRF) to further promote waste value chain, while promoting secondary material market, contributing to a circular economy in waste and plastic. UNDP is proud to work with the World Economic Forum (WEF) and MONRE on advancing the National Plastic Action Partnership (NPAP) in the upcoming time.

Removing persistent organic pollutants from the environment

UNDP is assisting Viet Nam in implementing the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) and the Minamata Convention on Mercury. Thanks to the cooperation between the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment and UNDP, with funding from the Global Environment Facility (GEF), thousands of tons of POPs and pesticide- and dioxin-contaminated soil have been contained, reducing health risks for 200,000 people.

Access to justice for all

UNDP’s work in the justice sector focuses on strengthening the independence of the judicial adjudication process through comparative analysis and sharing of international best practices. All citizens, particularly the most vulnerable and disadvantaged groups, benefit from strengthened legal and judicial reform and increased access to justice, enhanced capacity of legal and judicial professionals, and strengthened national legal frameworks to support the implementation of international conventions ratified by Viet Nam.

Promoting and protecting human rights

UNDP supports the promotion and protection of human rights by facilitating consultations between state and non-state actors for the government’s preparation and follow-up on the Universal Periodic Review. UNDP has provided support to government efforts in protecting the rights of persons with disabilities, as well as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, intersex, and queer people.

Advancing responsible business practices in Viet Nam

UNDP has provided technical support to Viet Nam in developing a National Action Plan to uphold the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights in the country. UNDP has cooperated with multiple stakeholders to create tools and resources that promote responsible business practices, including a responsible investment screening tool for local authorities to screen investment projects based on environmental, social, and governance criteria, a case study book for teaching responsible business practices in Vietnamese universities, and a Foreign Investment Screening Instrument.

Mine action to build peaceful and sustainable communities

The living environment has become safer and more economically enabling for the people in Quang Binh and Binh Dinh provinces thanks to the successful completion of the Korea-Viet Nam Mine Action project. Over the course of three years, the project surveyed 17,000 hectares of land and cleared 10,000 hectares contaminated by unexploded ordnance. Meanwhile, 450,000 local people, especially children, have received education on the risks of unexploded ordnance. KOICA and UNDP will be continuing the work of the Mine Action project through support to 10,500 farmers to apply climate-smart agriculture and upgrade or build 50 resilient health stations.

PAPI captures nearly 180,000 citizen voices to improve local governance

PAPI is an acknowledged flagship policy monitoring tool that assesses citizens’ experiences and satisfaction with government performance in governance at the national and sub-national levels, especially in public administration, public service delivery, and anti-corruption efforts. Since 2009, PAPI has directly interviewed a total of 178,243 Vietnamese citizens nationwide. To date, all the country’s 63 provinces have discussed PAPI findings and issued action plans to improve local governance performance. Several provinces have even embarked on innovative ideas to improve citizen-centric e-services.

Training 12,000 women for leadership

Nearly 12,000 women working in the public sector have been better prepared to take on leadership and decision-making roles through their participation in leadership training and mentoring programmes provided by UNDP and its partners.

First-ever LGBTI Inclusion Index in Viet Nam

UNDP has supported the testing of an index to measure the inclusion of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and intersex people in key areas such as health, education, personal safety and violence, civil and political participation, and economic empowerment. Comprising 51 indicators aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals, the index serves as a valuable tool to inform policies, programmes, and investments aimed at promoting LGBTI rights and fostering inclusion.