Vietnam

Basic Indicators

Source: UNICEF: The State of the World's Children Report

Population: 87,096,000 (2008)
National language: Vietnamese
Per capita income: US$ 890/year (2008)
Life expectancy: 74 (2008)
% of population using
improved drinking water sources: 92% (2006)
% of population using
adequate sanitation facilities: 65% (2006)
Under 5 Mortality Rate: 14/1,000 live births (2008)

Vietnam was the first country in Asia — and second in the world — to ratify the Convention on the Rights of the Child.

Located in Southeast Asia on the South China Sea, Vietnam is slightly larger than the state of New Mexico. It shares borders with China to the north and Laos and Cambodia to the west. Vietnam’s large population strains the country’s natural resources and the government’s ability to provide for its citizens.

Just over half of all Vietnamese work in agriculture, primarily growing rice, coffee and rubber. The country has small reserves of oil, which it is able to export along with rice, garments, and some rubber products. Many people, particularly in rural areas, are engaged in subsistence-level farming.

Plan works with at least 120,000 children and their families in Vietnam, focusing on improving access to clean water, health care, and quality education for children. Except in emergency situations, Plan USA does not provide direct assistance. Instead, we help communities develop, grow and, ultimately, support themselves.

Hear from the children

An essential part of Plan's work is empowering children to discuss the issues that matter to them and to take part in decisions that affect their lives. To help you learn about these issues, the children in Plan communities have put together a series of publications called "See Our World": Read what the children have to say about their lives.