According to the World Bank (WB), the poverty proportion in accordance with poverty standards applied to lower average income countries is predicted to decrease from 3.2 percent in 2022 to 3 percent in 2023.

Vietnam reduced the poverty rate from 58 percent in the early 1990s to 3 percent. The extreme poverty rate now is very small.

Reports from cities and provinces show that as of September 19, 2023, the total value of gifts for people under social protection in accordance with the Decree 20/2021 had reached VND3.2 trillion. The value of money, gifts and support to the poor and near-poor households hit VND3.1 trillion, while the value of money and gifts for people with meritorious services to the revolution and their relatives increased to VND6.4 trillion, including VND1.7 trillion given on the occasion of the Day for Martyrs and Wounded Soldiers (July 27).

Meanwhile, extraordinary support in emergency cases (natural disasters, floods and drought) in localities was valued at VND132.9 billion. Moreover, 27.9 million health insurance cards and cards for free medical services have been delivered to beneficiaries of social welfare throughout the country.

The Ministry of Planning and Investment (MPI) proposed to the Prime Minister support of 18,258.735 tons of rice on the occasion of 2023 as emergency food aid for 204,663 households. Moreover, local authorities allocated budgets and sought support from different sources to give 1,500 tons of rice to poor and near-poor households and the people in need. 

State agencies have been maintaining the monthly social welfare policy for 3,336,267 subjects under the social protection and 345,340 households and individuals who care for the subjects every month. 

After 30 years of doi moi (renovation), the definition about poverty and hunger has changed and Vietnamese standards on poverty and hunger have come closer to the world’s standards. 

In the 1990s, the support just aimed at feeding and clothing people properly, while nowadays, poor people also can receive support in accommodations, education, healthcare and culture.

However, poor people and those under social protection still need more support. In the report summarizing voters’ opinions sent to the fifth session of the 15th National Assembly, voters showed their worries about the lack of orders for Vietnamese enterprises, which could lead to an unemployment rate increase and the departure of many businesses.

The Vietnam Labor Federation, in its reports cited at National Assembly sessions, showed that from September 2022 to January 2023, as many as 547,000 workers in 1,300 businesses saw their number of working hours cut or were suspended because of the lack of orders. 

Anh Minh