Decision Ratification of the National Nutrition Strategy for 2011 to 2020, With a Vision toward 2030.

• The proportion of households with low energy intake (below 1800 Kcal) will be reduced to 10 % by 2015 and 5 % by 2020.
• The proportion of households with a balanced diet (Protein:Lipid:Carbohydrate ratio – 14:18:68) will reach 50% by 2015 and 75% by 2020.

• The prevalence of chronic energy deficiency in reproductive-aged women will be reduced to 15% by 2010 and less than 12% by 2020.
• The rate of low birth weight (infants born less than 2,500g) will be reduced to under 10% prevalence by 2015 and less than 8% by 2020.
•  The rate of stunting in children under 5 years old will be reduced to 26% by 2015, and to 23% by 2020.
• The prevalence of underweight among children under 5 years old will be reduced to 15% by 2015 and to 12.5% by 2020.
•  By 2020, the average height of children under 5 will increase by 1.5 – 2cm in both boys and girls; and height in adolescents by sex will increase by 1-1.5 cm compared with the averages from 2010.

• The prevalence of children under five with low serum vitamin A (<0.7 µmol/L) will be reduced to 10 % by 2010 and below 8 % by 2020.
• The prevalence of anaemia in pregnant women will be reduced to 28% by 2015 and to 23 % by 2020.
• The prevalence of anaemia among children will be reduced to 20% by 2015 and 15% by 2020.
•  By 2015, standardised iodized salt (≥20 ppm) will be regularly available throughout the country, with coverage of more than 90% of households. Mean urinary iodine levels in mothers with children under 5 will be between 10-20 mcg/dl, and these concentrations will be maintained by 2020.

• The prevalence of overweight and obesity in adults will be controlled to a rate of less than 8% by 2010 and will increase to no more than 12% by 2020.
• The proportion of adults with elevated serum cholesterol (over 5.2 mmol/L) will be less than 28% in 2015 and will remain relatively controlled with less than 30% prevalence in 2020.

• The rate of exclusive breast feeding (EBF) for the first 6 months will reach 27% by 2015 and 35% by 2020.
• The proportion of mothers with proper nutrition knowledge and practices when caring for a sick child will reach 75% by 2015 and 85% by 2020.
• The proportion of adolescent females receiving maternal and nutrition education will reach 60% by 2015 and 75% by 2020.

• By 2015, the proportion of nutrition coordinators receiving training in community nutrition (from 1 to 3 months) will reach 75% among provincial level employees and 50% of those at the district level. By 2020, this proportion will be 100% and 75%, respectively.
• By 2015, 100% of communal nutrition coordinators and nutrition collaborators will be trained and updated on nutrition care practices. Training of all nutrition staff will be maintained in 2020.
• The proportion of central and provincial hospitals with dieticians will reach 90% at central level, 70% at provincial level and 30% at district level by 2015. By 2020, this proportion will be 100%, 95%, and 50% respectively.
• The proportion of hospitals applying nutrition counseling and therapeutic treatment for conditions such as aging health, HIV/AIDS and TB, will reach 90% among central, 70% among provincial, and 20% among district hospitals by 2015. By 2020, the coverage will be 100%, 95% and 50%, respectively.
• The proportion of provinces qualified for performing nutrition surveilance will reach 50% by 2015 and 75% by 2020. Nutrition data will be monitored with particular focus in vulnerable provinces, in emergency situations, and in provinces with high prevalence of malnutrition.

•  Leadership and guidance from all levels of the Party and Government should be reinforced in order to achieve the reduction of underweight. Nutrition indicators, particularly the rate of stunting, should soon be considered a socioeconomic development indicator for the nation, as well as each locality. Monitoring and evaluation of the nutrition indicators should be strengthened in order to determine if the goals are being achieved.
• In order to effectively implement interventions for improved nutritional status, a multi-sector cooperation mechanism should be finalised, particularly involving the Ministry of Health, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, Ministry of Education and Training, Ministry of Culture, Sport and Tourism, Ministry of Labor, Invalids and Social Affairs. In addition, there is a need to establish policies and procedures to mobilise and promote the involvement of mass organisations and industries in implementation of the National Nutrition Strategy.
• The legislative framework dealing with issues of food and nutrition should be developed and finalised. Specific areas of focus include: regulations on production, marketing and utilisation of nutrition products for small children, food fortification laws, adequate maternity leave, breast feeding promotion, school nutrition policy focusing on pre-school and primary school children, and encouraging increased production of specialised nutrition products in the private sector to be used specifically among poor and  disadvantaged groups, ethnic minority groups, pregnant women, children under 5, and children with special needs.

- Nutrition, dietetics, and food safety professionals should be extensively trained and effectively used.

- A variety of nutrition specialists should be trained to fill various roles including post-graduate, bachelor, and technician programs in nutrition and dietetics.

- A staff network for professionals working in the field of nutrition should be developed and reinforced, particularly for those working in local communities. Capacity building of managerial staff should be strengthened from central to local levels, including those in relevant sectors and ministries.

- The training format should be adapted according to socioeconomic needs and should be designed to meet the education level of its target audience. Priority should be given to people from ethnic minorities, disadvantaged groups, and areas with high prevalence of malnutrition. International cooperation in capacity building for development of nutrition programs should be promoted.

• Communication of health messages should be promoted, to raise awarenes on the importance of nutrition in the comprehensive physical and mental health development of children, targeting authorities and managers at all levels.
• Mass media communication should be conducted using various methods and formats, with content appropriate for each region, area or target group to whom it is aimed in order to improve nutrition knowledge and practices. These messages are especially vital in the goals to reduce prevalence of stunting and the control of overweight and obesity and nutrition-related non-communicable diseases in all population groups.
•  A focus on nutrition and health education should be continued in the school system, from pre-school onwards. Furthermore, a school nutrition program should be developed and implemented with the gradual introduction of school meals and milk available in pre-schools and primary schools. Appropriate models should be developed according to region and target group.

• Specific food and nutrition interventions should be developed to improve nutritional status of target groups. Priority should be given to poor, disadvantaged and ethnic minority areas, as well as those at risk.
• Proper nutrition care should be given to mothers during prenatal and postnatal periods. Exclusive breastfeeding should be promoted during the first 6 months with appropriate complementary feeding for children 6 months through 2 years of age.
• The Food and Nutrition Surveillance Center should be strengthened at both central and regional level institutions in order to provide systematic monitoring of food consumption and nutritional status trends.
• A network of nutrition services including counseling and rehabilitation should be developed and improved.
• Local food production, processing and utilisation should be promoted and diversified. The Vegetation - Aquaculture - Cage for Animal husbandry (VAC) ecosystem should be further developed, ensuring the production, circulation and distribution of safe foods. Daily consumption of fish, milk and vegetables should be promoted in order to encourage the population toward the goal of increased dietary diversity to meet the ideal Protein:Lipid:Carbohydrate ratio.
• A system to monitor and forecast food insecurity at both national and household levels should be established. Furthermore, a plan to respond to nutrition issues following emergencies should be developed.
  

• Capacity building and management of scientific research in nutrition and food should be strengthened. Research, development and technology applications should be promoted to develop creation and selection of new breeds of livestock, production and processing of nutritionally fortified foods and specialised products.
• Information technology and database development should be promoted in the areas of food and nutrition.
• The utilisation of evidence-based information should be promoted in policy development, planning, and development of nutrition programs and projects at different levels, with particular focus on the reduction of stunting and micronutrient deficiencies.
•  Experiences and advances of nutrition sciences should be applied in the prevention of obesity, metabolic syndrome and nutrition related non-communicable diseases.
• Active cooperation with scientifically advanced countries, institutes, and universities both regionally and globally should be cultivated in order to improve research and training needed to rapidly progress toward advanced science and technology standards and to build up nutrition capacity.
• Comprehensive cooperation with international organisations should be promoted to support the implementation of National Nutrition Strategy (NNS).
• International cooperation projects should be integrated into the activities of the NNS in order to achieve the NNS objectives.

• Responsible agency: The Ministry of Health.
• Cooperating agencies: The Ministry of Education and Training, the Ministry of Information and Communication, Vietnam Television, related ministries, sectors, agencies, and Provincial People’s Committees.
• Project for maternal and child malnutrition control, and improved stature
  
• Responsible agency: The Ministry of Health.
• Cooperating agencies: Related ministries, sectors, agencies, and Provincial People’s Committees.

• Responsible agency: The Ministry of Health.
• Cooperating agencies: The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, the Ministry of Industry and Trade, the Ministry of Education and Training, the Ministry of Information and Communication,  related ministries, sectors, agencies, and Provincial People’s Committees.

• Responsible agency: The Ministry of Health.
• Cooperating agencies: The Ministry of Education and Training, other related ministries, sectors, agencies, and Provincial People’s Committees.

• The Ministry of Health is responsible, with cooperation from other related ministries, sectors, agencies, and Provincial People’s Committees, for the activities in hospitals and the community.
• The Ministry of Education and Training is responsible, with cooperation from the Ministry of Health and other related ministries, sectors, agencies, and Provincial People’s Committees, for the activities in school system.

• Responsible agency: The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development.
• Cooperating agencies: The Ministry of Health, other related ministries, sectors, agencies, and Provincial People’s Committees.

• Responsible agency: The Ministry of Health.
• Cooperating agencies: The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, the Ministry of Planning and Investment (GSO), other related ministries, sectors, agencies, and Provincial People’s Committees.