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“This rate is increasing even faster than in Thailand and is nearing that of developed nations,” Associate Professor Dr. Tran Thanh Duong, director of the National Institute of Nutrition, said at the 2025 International Scientific Conference on School Nutrition, held in Hanoi last week by the Central Commission for Communication and Education and the Ministries of Health and Education and Training.

“Childhood overweight and obesity are ticking time bombs, contributing to the burden of future non-communicable diseases, undermining national health and productivity.”

Obesity is one of four major nutritional challenges facing Vietnamese children, alongside malnutrition, micronutrient deficiencies and a rising incidence of diet- non-communicable diseases.

In wealthy countries such as the U.S. and Australia, childhood obesity rates are 20-30%.

The modern diet comprising fast foods, sugary beverages and processed foods is a key cause of obesity.

According to a survey by the National Institute of Nutrition, Vietnamese children consume 30–40 grams of sugar a day on average, far higher than the World Health Organization’s recommendation of less than 25 grams.

Children in urban areas spend an average of four to six hours a day on sedentary activities such as watching TV and using computers and other electronic devices.

Duong said: “Another key factor is the lack of nutritionally balanced school meals. Currently fewer than 50% of schools provide meals for preschoolers, and only 30% for primary school students. Most school canteens and nearby vendors sell fast food, sugary drinks and processed items.”

Childhood obesity increases the risk of developing non-communicable diseases such as type 2 diabetes, lipid disorders and high blood pressure and even during adolescence.

A study by the Vietnam National Children’s Hospital in 2023 found children as young as nine diagnosed with type 2 diabetes, something rarely seen a decade ago.

Besides health impacts, the cost of treating obesity- diseases could consume an estimated 5–7% of the national healthcare budget in future, experts warn.

Deputy Minister of Health Nguyen Tri Thuc expressed concern over Vietnam’s current nutrition burden and emphasized the need for new thinking and solutions, calling for a “strategic push” in schools, warning it is the last opportunity to intervene comprehensively in nutrition and physical activity to lay lifelong health foundations.

“We need to legislate school nutrition policies to uniformly implement programs such as a national school meal plan, nutrition education and school obesity prevention… to improve the physical stature and strength of future generations.”

Le Thai Ha, deputy director of the health ministry’s department of preventive medicine, said the proposed Law on Disease Prevention would have a dedicated section on nutrition.

The bill makes it mandatory for students at all levels to get nutrition education, age-appropriate diets and their nutritional status regularly assessed, he said.

Amending all provisions from “recommended” to “mandatory,” it would also clearly define the responsibilities of educational institutions in delivering school healthcare, ensuring food safety, proper nutrition, and promoting physical activity, he added.

The bill is expected to be taken up by the National Assembly at its October session.