Viet Nam

Viet Nam experienced impressive economic growth and rapid reductions in poverty over the last decade, but malnutrition persists. Nearly one-third of children under 5 in Viet Nam are stunted and only 17 percent of infants under 6 months of age are exclusively breastfed.

Intensive Alive & Thrive activities such as timely and targeted counseling will reach the parents of children 0-24 months old in 15 provinces. Through the use of mass media, A&T will reach an additional 1.5 million of the target population across all 63 provinces.

View map of program areas

Goal in A&T program areas

• Increase exclusive breastfeeding among infants under six months old by 62% (from 17% to 27.5%)
• Reduce the stunting rate in children under five years of age by 2 percentage points per year in program areas 

Our approach

The Alive & Thrive (A&T) program in Viet Nam aims to create an enabling environment for improved infant and young child feeding (IYCF) practices through a comprehensive delivery model.

Policy dialogue for evidence-based decision-making at national and provincial levels, compliance with the national marketing code of breastmilk substitutes, extended maternity leave to six months, and support from medical practitioners for exclusive breastfeeding.

Partnerships with the Ministry of Health, National Institute of Nutrition, Provincial Health Services, Viet Nam Women’s Union, UN agencies, and other international and local organizations

Franchise model in rural commune health centers and urban health facilities with group classes and one-on-one lactation and nutrition counseling by skilled providers. Read A&T franchise model brief

Multiple communication channels including print materials, an interactive website, a mass media campaign, and infant and young child feeding support groups. View the TV spots and the story of their production

Visit mattroibetho.vn, the official franchise website

Learn more

• Program challenges
• A&T's response
• Expected results

Contact

Director: Nemat Hajeebhoy, nhajeebhoy@fhi360.org
Room 203-204, Building E4B, Trung Tu Diplomatic Compound, No. 6 Dang Van Ngu Streeet; Hanoi, Viet Nam
Phone: 84-4-35739064/ 65/ 66; Fax: 84-4-35739063

Additional staff information

Career opportunities