Vietnam has participated in and endorsed International Conferences and Reservations on the International Conference on Population & Development (ICPD) Programme of Action (PoA). These are: ICPD (1994), Beijing Platform for Action (1995) and Millennium Development Goals (MDG) (2000).^[i] 

It is one of the few countries in Asia that has legalised abortion and menstrual regulation on all grounds. It records a MMR of 150 per 100 000 live births, an increase from past years.^[ii] Like Thailand, Vietnam has a high Contraceptive Prevalence Rate (CPR) of 78.5% (any method)^[iii], yet MMR is high. This situation needs further investigation to identify the affected groups and to ensure strategic interventions. ARROW’s partners in Vietnam have also focused on the issue of unmet need for contraception for young and unmarried women, including adolescents, leading to a rise of unintended pregnancies.^[iv]   

In the country report submitted to the CEDAW committee, trafficking in women, exploitation of the ‘prostitution’ of women, sexually transmitted diseases and infections remain pressing issues in Vietnam. Another pressing issue is the quality of healthcare services, which is poor and difficult to access, especially for women living in rural and mountainous areas. It is interesting to note (according to UNFPA’s Asia and the Pacific at a Glance) that although the average maternal mortality rate in Vietnam is 150 per 100 000 live births, it is more than double in mountainous and rural areas of the country (400 per 100 000 live births). About 80% of these ethnic women are delivering at home with no assistance from a trained health professional. ^[v] 

A Safe Motherhood Master Plan (2003-2010) is currently being implemented in Vietnam as well as other countries in the Asia and the Pacific.