Vietnam ends two-child rule—Will citizens have more kids?

After imposing a strict two-child policy since 1988, Vietnam News Agency reported on Wednesday, June 4, that the government has lifted the limit.

This means that Vietnamese families can now give birth to more than two children.

This comes after the country experienced historically low birth rates in the last three years.

According to the health ministry, the fertility rate dropped from 2.11 children per woman in 2021 to 2.01 in 2022. Then from 1.96 in 2023 to 1.91 children per woman in 2024.

Unfortunately, many citizens have grown to be comfortable with the cap on childbirth. For many, children are expensive, and the cost of living, especially in urban areas like Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, is not helpful.

Thus, Tran Thi Thu Trang, an office worker and mother of three, says, "The government should increase people's salaries, prioritise children's tuition fees, provide free tuition or offer more healthcare support, so that people will change their views."

18-year-old university student, Nguyen Thi Kim Chi, told AFP that "Having children should match one’s financial situation, and allow time for personal well-being. Given how developed society is nowadays, I also want to prioritise self-care and beauty."

Tran Minh Huong, 22, on the other hand, cares less about any child policy or benefits as she plans not to have children.

"Even though I am Asian, with social norms that say women need to get married and have kids, it's too costly to raise a child," she said.