The National Institute of Nutrition was founded followed the Decision 181/CP dated June 13, 1980 by the National Council. Decision 230/1998/QĐ-TTg dated November 1998 by the Prime Minister has classified NIN as one of the six national health institutes. NIN has been assigned to do research on nutritional requirements and dietary intake of Vietnamese people, to advice the Government solutions to improve health and provide prevention and treatment of diseases appropriate to human nutrition needs and socio-economic conditions in different periods; to do research on the nutritive values and health aspects of Vietnamese foods; on food hygiene and food safety; on dietetics; and to develop human capacity on nutrition.
The foundation of NIN was a milestone for nutrition in Vietnam. Directors of NIN from the founding include Prof. Tu Giay – People’s Doctor, Labor Hero (1980-1993); Prof. Dr. Ha Huy Khoi – People’s Teacher (1993-2003); Prof. Dr. Nguyen Cong Khan – Excellent Doctor (2003-2008); Professor Le Thi Hop – Excellent Doctor (2008 - Sep,2013) and currently Assoc. Prof. Le Danh Tuyen, PhD. MD.
From the early day, NIN was responsible to conduct two key national research programs 64-02 (1981-1985) and 64D (1986-1990). In the following decades, NIN continue to conduct many national studies such as KH-11-09 "Research on strategic solutions to improve nutritional status and food safety" (1996-2000) and KC 10-05 "Assessment of nutritional risk factors to public health and intervention approach” (2000-2006) as well as a number of ministerial and institutional studies. Research findings have been applied in the implementation of National nutrition strategies, child malnutrition control programs and other specific intervention programs. These nutrition interventions have contributed to eradicate xerophthalmia that leads to blindness due to Vitamin A deficiency in children; to reduce under 5 child malnutrition from 51.5% (1985) to 21.2% (2007). WHO and UNICEF have recognized Vietnam as the only one country in the region that almost reaches the objective of the Millennium Development Goals in malnutrition reduction rate (2% a year). In March 2008, Vietnam was selected to host the 35th Annual Meeting of The UN Standing Committee on Nutrition and to share experiences on malnutrition reduction. Since 2005 to now, NIN has published 8 scientific books of high value, hundreds of journal articles in domestic journals and 62 articles in high-ranking international journals.
After 30 years of development, NIN always accomplishes its tasks and present an active advisor for the Ministry of Health and other ministries and sectors on nutrition policies. It is the focal institution to implement the National Nutrition Strategy 2001- 2010 and malnutrition control program.
NIN has been awarded a First and a Second Labor Medal by the Government, many other acknowledgments of the Ministry of Health, Ministry of Science, Technology and Environment, Ministry of Labor- Invalids-Social Affairs, Vietnam General Labor Federation and Hanoi Capital. NIN was awarded Flag of Excellency by the Ministry of Health in 2005, and by the Government in 2006. The Party’s Board of NIN was recognized as a good unit in 5 consecutive years of 1997-2002by the Hanoi Party’s Board and afterwards. The Labor Union of NIN was recognized as a good unit by the Government in 2004-2007 and awarded Flags of Excellency in 1993-2007. In 2008, NIN had the honor to receive the 3 rd class Independence Medal. And with the above achievement, NIN has been awarded the title Labor Hero by the President in September 11, 2010. This is the great honor for the generations of NIN and the acknowledgement of the Party and the Government for the contribution of NIN and its staffs in the carrier of health care and protection for the people.