Child Marriage Issue in Lao Cai Province, Vietnam: Current Situation and Solution
Summary & Objectives
This study examines the persistence of child marriage in Lao Cai Province, Vietnam, with a particular focus on ethnic minority communities, despite sustained national policy efforts to eliminate the practice. Using a qualitative design based on secondary data, including policy documents, government reports, statistics, and evaluations of community programmes, the study aims to identify the sociocultural and economic factors that continue to sustain child marriage and to assess the effectiveness of existing prevention measures. The overarching objective is to inform more contextually grounded and sustainable solutions to end child marriage in the province
Findings
The study finds that child marriage remains prevalent in Lao Cai, with 478 cases recorded between 2021 and 2023, the vast majority occurring among ethnic minorities, particularly the Hmong community, which accounts for 94% of cases. Girls are disproportionately affected, most commonly marrying between ages 14 and 15, while boys tend to marry later. The persistence of child marriage is driven by entrenched gender norms, cultural traditions that legitimise early marriage as a rite of passage, poverty, low educational attainment, and weak parental and school supervision. Although recent government interventions have contributed to measurable reductions in child marriage rates, enforcement remains uneven, awareness of laws is limited, and outreach efforts are constrained by language barriers, geographic isolation, and insufficient funding. Education emerges as a critical protective factor, yet girls’ schooling is frequently disrupted by early marriage and pregnancy, reinforcing intergenerational cycles of disadvantage.
Recommendations
The study recommends a multi-sectoral and culturally responsive approach to ending child marriage in Lao Cai. Prevention efforts should prioritise transforming harmful gender and social norms within ethnic minority communities, including engagement with community leaders and the use of culturally and linguistically appropriate materials. Strengthening girls’ access to quality education and life skills is essential, alongside economic support for families to reduce financial pressures that incentivise early marriage. Legal frameworks establishing 18 as the minimum age of marriage must be more consistently enforced, supported by stronger local governance, monitoring, and accountability mechanisms. Sustained investment in community-based programmes and education systems is necessary to ensure long-term reductions in child marriage and to promote gender equality and inclusive development.
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