Vietnam targets top SE Asia height rankings by 2045

The target was discussed at a seminar in Hanoi on Tuesday on the comprehensive development of Vietnamese youth.

Organized by Nhan Dan (People) newspaper in coordination with the Ministry of Education and Training, the event was meant to implement key orientations under Politburo Resolutions 71 and 72 on education reform and improvements in public health and human development.

Nguyen Nho Huy, deputy head of the Ministry of Education and Training’s Department of Student Affairs, said Vietnam’s 2045 vision is for the physical stature and health of young people to match countries at similar development levels and rank among the top in Southeast Asia.

He said the goal is achievable but it would require sustained investment from both central and local governments, as well as participation from the private sector.

Despite recent improvements, Vietnam remains among the countries with relatively low average height globally.

According to studies, Vietnam is among the bottom 30 percent of nations worldwide in terms of average height.

The country ranks 153rd out of 201 countries and territories, with Vietnamese men averaging about three centimeters below the global average height of 1.71 meters and significantly shorter than their counterparts in many other countries.

At age 19, Vietnamese men rank 154th globally in height, while Vietnamese women place 146th.

Within Southeast Asia, Vietnam currently ranks fourth in average height, behind Singapore, Malaysia, and Thailand.

Experts said that although the average height has improved in recent years, progress remains slow, while school-based physical education and nutrition programs continue to face limitations in both coverage and effectiveness.

School meal programs currently cover about 97 percent of preschools and around 55 percent of general education schools in Vietnam.

The programs are expected to improve the health and physical development of Vietnamese children, but their implementation remains limited in practice.

Huy said future regulations on school meal programs will clearly define the responsibilities of commune-level authorities and local health agencies, as well as the role of parents, to better achieve school nutrition objectives.

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Tran Thanh Duong, director of the National Institute of Nutrition, highlighted updated national dietary guidelines through 2030 as a key solution for improving public health and physical development.

Truong Minh Sang, head coach of Vietnam’s national gymnastics team, proposed introducing basic gymnastics exercises in kindergartens and elementary schools to support early physical development, prevent school-related injuries, and build exercise habits from an early age.

Speakers cited Japan as a successful example of improvements in height and health outcomes, noting that a balanced diet is a key factor behind its progress.

Japan has had a law on nutrition and a school nutrition system in place since 1947, along with a trained workforce of nutrition professionals deployed to schools and local health stations, they said.

Experts agreed that investing in school nutrition, physical education, and child health today is essential to improving human capital quality and strengthening national competitiveness in the future.

In a related development, a community campaign titled ‘For Healthier and Taller Generations’ was launched at Hoang Dieu Elementary School in Hanoi on the same day, involving more than 1,000 students, parents, and experts.

The program targets children aged six to 12 and aims to raise awareness about nutrition, physical activity, and scientific childcare to improve Vietnamese stature.

Dr. Truong Hong Son, director of the Vietnam Institute of Applied Medicine, said child height is shaped by four main factors: genetics, nutrition, physical activity, and sleep–living environment.

He said nutrition accounts for about 32 percent of height development potential, higher than genetics at 23 percent, making it the most adjustable factor.

More than 75 percent of a child’s height potential can be improved through proper nutrition, exercise, and healthy living habits, he added.

He also warned that shorter stature can be associated with higher risks of obesity and chronic diseases, which are among the leading causes of death globally.

Experts stressed that ages six to 12 represent a ‘golden period’ for height development, when nutrition, exercise, and sleep have the strongest influence on long-term growth.