In 2024, Da Nang achieved significant milestones in population management thanks to the efforts of the healthcare sector, the Population and Development Steering Committee, and collaboration from various departments and localities.

Specialised discussions on population issues, reproductive health care, and preventing unintended pregnancies have been conducted for high school pupils.

According to Master degree's holder Phung Thi Huong Hanh, Head of the Population and Family Planning Division, in 2024, the city issued three additional programmes and plans on population matters through 2030, in line with the Central Resolution. This brought the total number of issued programmes and plans to 10. These included the Population Communication Programme, the Programme to Strengthen, Develop, and Enhance the Quality of Family Planning Services, and the Programme to Consolidate and Develop the Population Information System through 2030.

This year also marked Da Nang’s first international cooperation in population work through a partnership with JICA Japan on community-based elderly healthcare, opening opportunities for future collaborations.

In 2024, Da Nang successfully achieved and exceeded 100% of the nine assigned population and development targets. Among these, a particularly notable achievement was an increase in the crude birth rate by 0.06‰ compared to 2023, an essential target mandated annually by the Central Government and the city's People’s Committee.

Over the past three years, Da Nang consistently met its planned targets. In 2024 alone, the city exceeded expectations, achieving an average crude birth rate increase of 0.10‰ compared to the assigned target of 0.06‰, reaching 166.6% of the annual target.

In addition to improving the crude birth rate, Da Nang also successfully addressed gender imbalances at birth. According to Ms. Phung Thi Huong Hanh, Head of the Population and Family Planning Division, Da Nang was among the provinces with gender imbalance issues in 2011, with 112 boys born per 100 girls, exceeding the natural range of 103–107 boys per 100 girls. After years of focused efforts, particularly in recent years, the city has restored the gender ratio to a natural level of 105 boys per 100 girls, a significant accomplishment.

Communication and advocacy efforts were a highlight of 2024, contributing to the sector's success. Initiatives included diverse campaigns promoting messages such as "Each couple should have two children" and "Improving population quality." The city ensured timely access to contraceptives and family planning services, which were increasingly safe, effective, and convenient.

Despite these achievements, the city’s population management still faces challenges. The health sector is intensifying efforts to implement comprehensive solutions, including communication, adjusting birth rates, providing family planning services, controlling gender imbalances at birth, screening and treating prenatal and neonatal conditions, pre-marital health consultations, and elderly care. These measures aim to fulfil the targets set for the population programme through 2025.

Looking ahead, the healthcare sector must maintain replacement-level fertility rates and sustain natural gender ratios at birth, improve population quality, and enhance elderly care. It is also essential to maximise the demographic dividend for socio-economic development while adapting to the challenges of an ageing population.

Reported by M. VAN - B. LAM - Translated by TRUC VY, P.TRA