Guide to culture, legislation and children’s welfare in Vietnam

Quick links
Population
Language
Religion
Ethnic breakdown
Customs, cultures and belief systems
The position of children within Vietnamese society
Issues of custom or etiquette to bear in mind when working with Vietnamese families or children
The legal framework around child welfare
Issues around adoption and international movement of children
Snapshot of migration trends
Support organisations in the UK
Further information and advice

Population
89.6 million (July 2010 est.) ^[1]

Language
Vietnamese (official), English (increasingly favored as a second language), some French, Chinese, and Khmer; mountain area languages (Mon-Khmer and Malayo-Polynesian)^[2]

Religion
Buddhist 9.3 per cent, Catholic 6.7 per cent, Hoa Hao 1.5 per cent, Cao Dai 1.1 per cent, Protestant 0.5 per cent, Muslim 0.1 per cent, none 80.8 per cent (1999 census)^[3]

Ethnic breakdown
Kinh (Viet) 86.2 per cent, Tay 1.9 per cent, Thai 1.7 per cent, Muong 1.5 per cent, Khome 1.4 per cent, Hoa 1.1 per cent, Nun 1.1 per cent, Hmong 1 per cent, others 4.1 per cent (1999 census)[4]

Customs, cultures and belief systems
Following centuries of independent development, and a long history of Chinese influence, Vietnam was colonised by France in the 19^th century.