Women in Ho Chi Minh City have highest average age at childbirth in Vietnam

The National Statistics Office of Vietnam (NSO), in coordination with the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), has released the findings in a report titled "Mortality Situation and Trends in Causes of Death in Vietnam, 2021–25."

Average age at childbirth varies across localities

The report shows differences in the average age of mothers at childbirth among provinces and cities in 2025.

Ho Chi Minh City recorded the highest average age, at 30, followed by Ha Tinh at 29.8, Da Nang at 29.7, Hanoi at 29.6 and Hue at 29.5.

Lai Chau recorded the lowest average age, at 24.9, followed by Son La at 25, Dien Bien at 25.2, Tuyen Quang at 26.2 and Lao Cai at 26.2.

Localities with higher average maternal ages were concentrated mainly in urban areas and some lowland provinces.

Those with lower averages were mainly in the northern mountainous region.

The differences reflect variations in maternal age and demographic characteristics among localities nationwide.

Sex ratio at birth remains above natural range

Vietnam's sex ratio at birth stood at 110.1 boys per 100 girls in 2025, down 0.6 points from 110.7 in 2024, the report says.

The figure was higher than the ratios of 109.5 recorded in both 2021 and 2022 and 109.7 in 2023.

The sex ratio at birth measures the number of live-born boys per 100 live-born girls.

The natural biological range is 104-106 boys per 100 girls.

The national ratio remained above this range throughout 2021-25.

Despite the decline in 2025, the ratio had yet to return to the natural biological range, indicating that the imbalance persisted.

Hanoi recorded the highest sex ratio at birth among provinces and cities in 2025, at 120.8 boys per 100 girls, followed by Bac Ninh at 119.3, Son La at 115, Hai Phong at 112.6 and Thai Nguyen at 112.5.

Ca Mau had the lowest ratio, at 103.2 boys per 100 girls, followed by Khanh Hoa at 104.5, Tay Ninh at 104.7, and Dong Thap and An Giang at 105.9 each.

Ho Chi Minh City offers $190 to women having two children before 35

The Ho Chi Minh City People's Council passed a resolution on August 28, 2025, providing financial incentives and support for organizations and individuals contributing to the city's population work.

Under the resolution, women who have two children before turning 35 receive a one-time payment of VND5 million (US$190).

The payment is VND2 million ($76) higher than the previous level of VND3 million ($114).

The increase is intended to encourage women to have two children and help address the city's low birth rate.

Ho Chi Minh City's total fertility rate currently stands at 1.43 children per woman, well below the replacement level.

The city aims to raise the rate to 1.6 children per woman under its plan to implement the Vietnam Population Strategy Action Program through 2030.