The right to health in Vietnam and the impact of climate change

Authors

  • Van To Huu Nguyen University of Szeged

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.38043/jah.v9i1.7489

Keywords:

Climate change; Impact; Right to health; Vietnam

Abstract

Climate change is a global challenge that seriously affects human health and the enjoyment of human rights, especially the right to health. Vietnam is highly vulnerable to climate change due to its geographical conditions, which increases health risks and puts pressure on the health system, particularly for vulnerable groups. The article analyses the right to health in the context of climate change in Vietnam, as recognized in both international law and Vietnamese legislation. Although Vietnam has made notable progress in healthcare, climate change continues to pose serious challenges to the effective realization of the right to health. The article, therefore, highlights the need for stronger policies and actions to better protect the right to health for all.

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

References

American Association for the International Commission of Jurists & International Commission of Jurists (Eds.). (1993). United Nations World Conference on Human Rights: The interdependence of development and the constitutional order. American Association for the International Commission of Jurists. United Nations World Conference on Human Rights.

Burger, M., & Wentz, J. A. (2015). Climate Change and Human Rights. Columbia Law School & United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP). https://scholarship.law.columbia.edu/sabin_climate_change/119

CDC Global health. (2025). CDC in Vietnam. CDC Global Health. https://www.cdc.gov/global-health/countries/vietnam.html

Chu, C., & Pham, T. (2025). Vietnam’s health sector innovates to tackle climate change: The E-Dengue project. Griffith University. https://blogs.griffith.edu.au/asiainsights/vietnams-health-sector-innovates-to-tackle-climate-change-the-e-dengue-project/

Cuvelier, K. (2023). Healthcare in Vietnam. Flanders Investment & Trade Hanoi. https://export.flandersinvestmentandtrade .com/sites/fit_domains/files/media/report/2023%2520Healthcare%2520in%2520Vietnam.pdf

Department of Climate Change. (2021). The impact of climate change on Vietnam’s agricultural economy. Department of Climate Change of the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment. https://dcc.gov.vn/en/climate-change-adaptation/the-impact-of-climate-change-on-vietnam-1535

Department of Climate Change. (2023). Impacts of climate change in Vietnam. Department of Climate Change of the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment. https://dcc.gov.vn/en/Impacts-of-climate-change-in-Vietnam

General Assembly resolution 53/144. (1998). Declaration on the Right and Responsibility of Individuals, Groups and Organs of Society to Promote and Protect Universally Recognized Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms. United Nations. https://www.ohchr.org/en/instruments-mechanisms/instruments/declaration-right-and-responsibility-individuals-groups-and

General Assembly resolution 2200A (XXI). (1966). International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights. United Nations. https://www.ohchr.org/en/instruments-mechanisms/instruments/international-covenant-economic-social-and-cultural-rights

Guterres, A. (2020). The Highest Aspiration—A Call to Action for Human Rights. United Nations Secretary-General. https://reliefweb.int/report/world/highest-aspiration-call-action-human-rights-2020

Hai Yen. (2021). ADB boosts climate resilience in Vietnam’s health system. Hanoi Times. https://hanoitimes.vn/adb-boosts-climate-resilience-in-vietnams-health-system.584063.html

Hoang, C. Q., Huynh Nguyen, Q. P., Huynh Nguyen, T. P., Nguyen, H. T., Hoang, L. T., Vu, G. H., Kim, W.-K., & Nguyen, H. D. (2025). Identification of climate-sensitive disease incidences in vietnam: A longitudinal retrospective analysis of infectious disease rates between 2014 and 2022. Heliyon, 11(2), e41902. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.heliyon.2025.e41902

Intergovernmental Panel On Climate Change (IPCC). (2023). Climate Change 2022 – Impacts, Adaptation and Vulnerability: Working Group II Contribution to the Sixth Assessment Report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (1st ed.). Cambridge University Press. https://doi.org/10.1017/9781009325844

International Trade Adminstration. (2024). Vietnam Country Commercial Guide – Healthcare. International Trade Adminstration. https://www.trade.gov/country-commercial-guides/vietnam-healthcare

Kim Anh. (2025). Viet Nam’s life expectancy rises by 30 years in six decades. Government News of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam. https://en.baochinhphu.vn/viet-nams-life-expectancy-rises-by-30-years-in-six-decades-111250822152228899.htm

Linh Tran, N. Q., Cam Hong Le, H. T., Pham, C. T., Nguyen, X. H., Tran, N. D., Thi Tran, T.-H., Nghiem, S., Ly Luong, T. M., Bui, V., Nguyen-Huy, T., Doan, V. Q., Dang, K. A., Thuong Do, T. H., Thi Ngo, H. K., Nguyen, T. V., Nguyen, N. H., Do, M. C., Ton, T. N., Thu Dang, T. A., … Phung, D. (2023). Climate change and human health in Vietnam: A systematic review and additional analyses on current impacts, future risk, and adaptation. The Lancet Regional Health - Western Pacific, 40, 100943. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.lanwpc.2023.100943

Nena. (2026). Vietnam’s Strong Vaccination Efforts: A Public Health Success Story. Vaccine Alliance. https://www.vaccinealliance.org/vietnams-strong-vaccination-efforts/

Nhan Dan News. (2024). Health insurance coverage reaches 93.35% of population. Nhan Dan News. https://en.nhandan.vn/health-insurance-coverage-reaches-9335-of-population-post132665.html

OECD. (2025). OECD Economic Surveys: Viet Nam 2025 (Vol. 2025). OECD Publishing. https://doi.org/10.1787/fb37254b-en

Revilla Diez, J. (2016). Vietnam 30 years after Doi Moi: Achievements and challenges. Zeitschrift Für Wirtschaftsgeographie, 60(3), 121–133. https://doi.org/10.1515/zfw-2016-0035

Robert, B., & Ruth, B. (2010). What is global health? Global Health Action, 3(1), 5142. https://doi.org/10.3402/gha.v3i0.5142

Thanh Ha & Duong Lieu. (2024). Vietnamese people enjoy long lifespan, suffer diseases longer than other SE Asians. Tuoi Tre News. https://news.tuoitre.vn/vietnamese-people-enjoy-long-lifespan-suffer-diseases-longer-than-other-se-asians-10375800.htm

The National Assembly of Vietnam. (2013). The Constitution of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam. THU VIEN PHAP LUAT. https://thuvienphapluat.vn/van-ban/Bo-may-hanh-chinh/Hien-phap-nam-2013-215627.aspx

The Prime Minister of Vietna. (2022). Decision No. 896/QD-TTg approving the National Strategy for Climate Change until 2050. https://faolex.fao.org/docs/pdf/vie212245.pdf

The Secretary-General. (2024). Analytical study on the impact of loss and damage from the adverse effects of climate change on the full enjoyment of human rights, exploring equity-based approaches and solutions to addressing the same. United Nations Secretary General. https://www.ohchr.org/en/documents/thematic-reports/ahrc5730-analytical-study-impact-loss-and-damage-adverse-effects-climate

The Socialist Republic of Vietnam. (2023). Voluntary national review 2023 on the implementation of the sustainable development goals. High-Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development, WHO. https://hlpf.un.org/sites/default/files/vnrs/2023/VNR%202023%20Viet%20Nam%20Report.pdf

The World Conference on Human Rights in Vienna. (1993). Vienna Declaration and Programme of Action. United Nations. https://www.ohchr.org/en/instruments-mechanisms/instruments/vienna-declaration-and-programme-action

Tran, V. T., An-Vo, D.-A., Cockfield, G., & Mushtaq, S. (2021). Assessing Livelihood Vulnerability of Minority Ethnic Groups to Climate Change: A Case Study from the Northwest Mountainous Regions of Vietnam. Sustainability, 13(13), 7106. https://doi.org/10.3390/su13137106

UNDP. (2023). Vietnam’s Efforts in Building Climate-Resilient Healthcare. UNDP. https://www.undp.org/vietnam/news/vietnams-efforts-building-climate-resilient-healthcare

UNICEF. (2025). Vietnam Achieves Remarkable Progress in Childhood Immunization, WHO and UNICEF Report. UNICEF. https://www.unicef.org/vietnam/press-releases/viet-nam-achieves-remarkable-progress-childhood-immunization-who-and-unicef-report

United Nations. (1948). The Universal Declaration of Human Rights. United Nations. https://www.un.org/en/about-us/universal-declaration-of-human-rights

Van Tho, N. (2022). Salinity Intrusion in the Vietnamese Mekong Delta, a Threat: Possible Causes, Effects on People’s Life and Production, and Temporary Solutions and Adaptable Strategies. In H.-Y. Jeon (Ed.), Sustainable Development of Water and Environment (pp. 1–10). Springer International Publishing.

Vietnam Social Security. (2023). Viet Nam Social Security News Health Insurance—The “golden” card for public health. Vietnam Social Security, Ministry of Finance. https://vss.gov.vn/english/news/Pages/vietnam-social-security.aspx?CateID=0&ItemID=11153

VOV Vietnam. (2024). HIV/AIDS treatment yields encouraging results, says Health Ministry. Voice of Vietnam. https://english.vov.vn/en/society/hivaids-treatment-yields-encouraging-results-says-health-ministry-post1138867.vov

WHO. (n.d.). WHO remains firmly committed to the principles set out in the preamble to the Constitution. World Health Organization. Retrieved https://www.who.int/about/governance/constitution

WHO. (2025). Climate-resilience and sustainability for safer health care in Viet Nam. World Health Organization. https://www.who.int/westernpacific/newsroom/feature-stories/item/climate-resilience-and-sustainability-for-safer-health-care-in-viet-nam

World Bank Group & Asian Development Bank. (2021). Climate Risk Country Profile—Vietnam. World Bank, Washington, DC and Asian Development Bank, Manila. https://doi.org/10.1596/36367

Downloads

Published

2026-04-30

How to Cite

1.
Nguyen VTH. The right to health in Vietnam and the impact of climate change. JAH [Internet]. 2026Apr.30 [cited 2026May6];9(1). Available from: https://journal.undiknas.ac.id/index.php/JAH/article/view/7489