The evolution of population policy in Viet Nam

Three periods in the evolution of population policy in Viet Nam are documented in this article: its initiation during the 1960s and 1970s; its maturity in the 1980s and 1990s; and its legalization in the 2000s and early 2010s. A framework was used for stakeholder analysis in the sociopolitical context of Viet Nam to analyse interactions between leading state agencies in the development of population policy and their influence on the organizational structure of the population programme. The current tensions in the implementation of the population programme are highlighted, and a new population policy is called for that would be more conducive to addressing broader population and reproductive health issues, in order to respond more effectively to new challenges arising from the socioeconomic and demographic transition of the country.