Ho Chi Minh City expands health services to counter low fertility rates

The Ho Chi Minh City Population Sub-department and several local organizations held a conference to review strategies for improving population quality in Vietnam's most populous city.

Pham Chanh Trung, the head of the sub-department, noted that the city now houses more than 14 million people. While the city has achieved high prenatal and newborn screening rates above 85 percent, the fertility rate dropped to 1.51 children per woman in 2026.

This figure places the city among the 13 provinces and cities in Vietnam with the lowest fertility rates. Nguyen Tang Minh, the deputy director of the municipal Department of Health, stated that the city must address the challenges of rapid urbanization and an ageing population. The government plans to shift its focus toward an integrated approach that balances population size, structure, and quality.

Officials aim to strengthen professional expertise and make healthcare services more accessible to encourage residents to take a proactive role in their own health. A primary strategy for improving population quality involves increasing pre-marital health screenings. These check-ups help couples make informed decisions about healthcare and preventive measures before they become pregnant. The city aims to use these screenings to ensure safer childbirths and provide a foundation for raising a healthy next generation.