[Please check against delivery]
Xin chào and good morning, colleagues, partners, and friends.
It’s a pleasure to join you on behalf of the WHO Representative, Dr Angela Pratt, who unfortunately cannot join us today.
Let me start by thanking the National Institute of Nutrition and the Ministry of Health for hosting today's event.
World Breastfeeding Week is a moment to celebrate progress, reflect on challenges, and most importantly, to commit to action.
This year’s theme — “Invest in breastfeeding, invest in the future”—is a powerful reminder that breastfeeding is not only a personal act, but a public good. It is one of the most effective ways to ensure a child’s healthy start in life, and one of the smartest investments any country can make in its future.
Being fed with breastmilk protects babies from disease, supports brain development, and reduces the risk of obesity and chronic illness later in life. For mothers, it lowers the risk of breast and ovarian cancers and supports mental health. And for societies, it means stronger human capital, lower health care costs, and more resilient communities.
But breastfeeding is not always easy – and so it needs supportive systems, informed policies and sustained investment.
Here in Viet Nam, WHO has been proud to work alongside the Ministry of Health, UNICEF and other partners to strengthen breastfeeding support over many years.
We have supported the issuance and implementation of Early Essential Newborn Care which promotes immediate skin-to-skin contact and early, exclusive breastfeeding.
We have worked together launch the Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative, ensuring that health facilities provide the right environment for breastfeeding from the very first moments of life. We are delighted that the initiative has now been strengthened as the Hospital of Excellence in Breastfeeding Practice.
We have supported the development and implementation of Decree 100—a landmark regulation that restricts the marketing of breast-milk substitutes and feeding bottles. And in 2023, Viet Nam was one of six countries in a multi-country WHO study examining the impact of breast-milk substitute marketing on infant feeding decisions.
This study confirmed what we already suspected: that aggressive marketing continues to undermine breastfeeding, even in countries with strong policies.
These efforts combined are making a real difference. The rate of exclusive breastfeeding in Viet Nam increased from 24.3% in 2014 to 45.5% in 2021 - a remarkable achievement that reflects the power of coordinated action and sustained commitment.
These are indeed important achievements, but we must go even further.
Firstly, we need greater investment.
Despite its proven benefits, breastfeeding remains underfunded. We urge the Government of Viet Nam to increase funding to strengthen breastfeeding support. This would include counselling services, community-based support, public awareness campaigns.
This is not just a health investment—it’s an economic one. Evidence shows that every one dollar invested in breastfeeding can yield an estimated $35 in return through improved health and productivity.
Second, fully adopt and enforce the International Code of Marketing of Breast-milk Substitutes.
While Decree 100 is a strong foundation, enforcement remains a challenge. We call on the Government to strengthen monitoring and accountability mechanisms, ensure regular reporting, and apply clear penalties for violations.
Mothers deserve to make feeding decisions based on accurate information—not marketing tactics.
Third, more emphasis on creating breastfeeding-friendly health systems.
Health facilities must be places where breastfeeding is protected, promoted and supported. This means scaling up the Hospital of Excellence in Breastfeeding Practice initiative – ensuring rooming-in and skin-to-skin contact and integrating breastfeeding into routine maternal and child health services.
Fourth, train and empower health workers.
Health workers are the frontline of breastfeeding support. Yet many still lack the training or time to provide effective counselling. We urge the health sector to invest in comprehensive, competency-based training for all health workers—from doctors and nurses to midwives and community health volunteers.
Empowered health workers empower mothers. And empowered mothers build healthier societies.
WHO remains committed to supporting Viet Nam on this journey and continuing our collaboration to:
- Support the implementation of Early Essential Newborn Care across the country;
- Strengthen communication and advocacy to promote breastfeeding as a social norm and public health priority;
- And work with all partners to ensure that every mother has the support she needs to give her child the best start in life.
Breastfeeding is a shared societal commitment.
Let us invest in breastfeeding for a healthier and stronger Viet Nam.
Thank you. Xin cảm ơn.