Viet Nam’s present population is round eighty million, about 87% of which is the majority ‘Kinh‘ group principally dwelling in low-lying areas, and the remaining 13% in fifty-three different ethnic groups residing primarily in mountainous areas.

A population growth after the top of the warfare allowed Vietnam’s inhabitants to climb rapidly. Increasing population density, pressure on ageing infrastructure and worsening environmental damage prompted a policy of applying disincentives to households with more than two children. Inhabitant’s growth is slowing; however the previous excessive price has left a really young population (65% are beneath 25) with consequent critical strains on the training system and the labour market.

Poverty:

Practically three-quarters of Vietnam’s inhabitants have been living in poverty within the mid-1980s. Within the early nineties, the government committed itself to a systematic technique to enhance the situation: it has been remarkably successful. The 2003 United Nations 'Human Growth Report' data that poverty is now under 29% and dropping rapidly, one of the sharpest declines in another nation on record.

Nevertheless, poverty remains to be widespread in rural areas, and rising city affluence has stimulated migration from poor rural provinces into the cities adding to the social problems there. Wages for low-ability jobs are minimal and unemployment is high and rising as the country progressively adapts to the world market economy.

Pollution:

Most of the infrastructure in Vietnam was built during the colonial interval, and is now in desperate need of replacement. Among the rivers and lakes in city areas are little greater than open sewers, and levels of heavy metal and other industrial pollutants are properly above protected ranges in some areas.

Flora and fauna usually are not only threatened by pollution and habitat encroachment, but additionally by poaching and unlawful logging, notably in poor rural areas. National and local authorities are working arduous to improve the scenario, but the scale of funding required to unravel such problems is at present past the nation’s means.

Health:

A lot of Vietnam’s hospitals are in antiquated colonial buildings. Gear is basic, and medical staffs usually lack obligatory abilities and experience. Patients should pay for remedy and medication - poor persons are exempted. Nonetheless, a new worker medical national insurance scheme has been launched and is proving popular.

The proportion of dwell births and life expectancy are both rising, however Vietnam faces many health challenges. In particular, HIV/AIDS is growing, fuelled by a growing drug abuse and unsafe sex. Nonetheless, the nation has scored some remarkable successes, notably being the first country in the world to eradicate an outbreak of SARS in the spring of 2003.

Custom:

Previously, Vietnam’s Confucian heritage has served the country well. However, some features of Confucian behaviour at the moment are putting a brake on progress and, in some instances, inflicting harm. In the office, a strict hierarchy of deference blocks initiative and innovation, and forms, purple tape and low-degree corruption abound. In faculties, a rigid truth-based mostly curriculum and didactic teaching stifles imagination and curiosity.

In the family, male dominance relegates girls to menial duties, limits their freedom and legitimates dangerous sexual behaviour by men. On the constructive website, Vietnam’s robust Confucian traditions have been a major factor in maintaining political stability throughout a period of rapid change, and have been a big curb on a number of the more pernicious excesses of globalisation.