Speaking at a forum in Ho Chi Minh City to mark World Obesity Day, health specialists said Vietnam’s obesity rate is among the fastest-growing in south-east Asia and could fuel a wave of chronic diseases if left unchecked.
The World Health Organisation estimates that 19.5 per cent of the population, nearly 20 million people, are overweight or obese, defined as a body mass index of at least 25 kg per square metre. Obesity rates have risen by about 38 per cent, one of the sharpest increases in the region.
The trend is accelerating among children and adolescents. Data from the national institute of nutrition show the rate of overweight and obesity among those aged five to 19 climbed from 8.5 per cent in 2010 to 19 per cent in 2020. In urban areas, the figure has reached 26.8 per cent, compared with 18.3 per cent in rural regions.
Major cities such as Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City have recorded particularly high obesity levels among teenagers, largely driven by sedentary lifestyles and excessive calorie intake.
A survey by Decision Lab of more than 1,000 respondents found 83 per cent recognised obesity as a disease linked to multiple chronic conditions. Yet early intervention remains limited because of sedentary habits, the gradual onset of complications and persistent cultural stigma.
Associate professor Dr Tran Quang Nam of the university of medicine and pharmacy hospital in Ho Chi Minh City described obesity as a complex chronic condition associated with metabolic disorders. When body mass index exceeds 25 kg per square metre, he said, people should seek medical advice to prevent complications including type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease and stroke.
Beyond health risks, obesity is projected to impose a heavier economic burden. Direct healthcare costs could reach USD 1.27 billion by 2035, 3.4 times higher than in 2020, while total economic losses may climb to USD 16.28 billion, equivalent to about 2 per cent of GDP.
Social stigma remains a major barrier to treatment. An ACTION-Vietnam study found 79 per cent of people with obesity reported workplace difficulties linked to their appearance, 62 per cent experienced teasing or discrimination, and 54 per cent were labelled lazy. Many delayed seeking medical support for two to five years.
Erik Wiebols, general director of Novo Nordisk Vietnam, said stronger efforts and broader public–private partnerships were needed to curb obesity and ease long-term healthcare pressures, particularly among urban children.
