In Vietnam, a country long associated with lean diets and active lifestyles, a silent epidemic is taking hold. Obesity rates are soaring, with a 38 percent increase in overweight and obesity cases reported in recent years, outpacing many of its Southeast Asian neighbors. This alarming trend, highlighted by health experts, poses a significant public health challenge, threatening to burden the nation’s healthcare system and impact millions of lives.

Associate Professor Nguyen Anh Tuan, director of the digestive surgery department at 108 Central Military Hospital, has sounded the alarm on this growing crisis. “Obesity is on the rise in Vietnam, outpacing other Southeast Asian countries” he said, emphasizing the urgent need for public awareness and intervention. His warning comes alongside data from the National Institute of Nutrition, which shows that the rate of overweight and obesity among school-aged children has more than doubled in a decade, from 8.5 percent in 2010 to 19 percent in 2020.

Urban Centers Bear the Brunt

The crisis is particularly acute in Vietnam’s urban centers, where rapid economic growth and changing lifestyles have fueled unhealthy dietary habits and sedentary behavior. In Ho Chi Minh City, over 50 percent of urban youth are classified as overweight or obese, while in Hanoi, the figure stands at more than 41 percent. By contrast, rural areas report a lower prevalence at 18.3 percent, though the numbers are still climbing.

Urbanization has brought with it an influx of fast food chains, processed snacks, and a shift away from traditional Vietnamese meals rich in vegetables and rice. Coupled with reduced physical activity, particularly among children and young adults who spend increasing hours on screens, the conditions for obesity have flourished. For many families, the cultural perception of weight gain as a sign of prosperity further complicates efforts to address the issue.

The consequences of this trend are far-reaching. Obesity is not merely a cosmetic concern but a gateway to severe health conditions, including diabetes, cardiovascular disease, various cancers, depression, infertility, and complications during pregnancy and childbirth. As Associate Professor Tuan noted, “Its consequences extend far beyond aesthetics.”

A Global Epidemic Hits Home

The World Health Organization (WHO) has long classified obesity as a global epidemic, and Vietnam is no exception to this troubling trend. While the country has made significant strides in addressing communicable diseases and improving life expectancy, non-communicable diseases linked to obesity are emerging as a new frontier of concern. The strain on Vietnam’s healthcare system, already stretched by an aging population and limited resources in rural areas, could intensify if current trends persist.

Recent research underscores the scale of the challenge. The ACTION-Vietnam Study, published on April 25, 2025, in the Journal of the ASEAN Federation of Endocrine Societies, surveyed 1,000 adults living with obesity and 200 healthcare professionals. Conducted in collaboration with local researchers and sponsored by Novo Nordisk Vietnam, the study revealed critical gaps in obesity care. Among the findings were limited access to effective treatments, persistent stigma surrounding obesity, and a lack of communication between patients and doctors.

Associate Professor Tuan, a co-author of the study, highlighted a significant barrier: “Obesity is a chronic disease, a point that has not been deeply addressed by many local studies. Research shows a big gap in communication between doctors and patients, with 40 percent of doctors reluctant to mention weight and nearly 50 percent of patients feeling embarrassed when asked, which directly affects the effectiveness of treatment.”

Shifting the Paradigm on Obesity Care

International experts are calling for a fundamental shift in how obesity is approached in Vietnam. Dr. Georgia Rigas, an Australian obesity specialist with 25 years of clinical experience, stressed that “obesity management does not equal weight loss.” She criticized the reactive approach historically taught in medical schools, which focuses on treating complications rather than preventing them. Instead, she advocates for proactive measures, including early screening for obesity-related complications and identifying root causes through evidence-based therapies.

Dr. Rigas’s call for a multi-disciplinary approach aligns with emerging global best practices. Treating obesity, she argues, requires collaboration across medical fields, integrating nutritionists, psychologists, and physicians to address both the physical and mental health dimensions of the condition. Such a model, while resource-intensive, could offer a sustainable path forward for Vietnam as it grapples with this public health crisis.

Stigma and Misconceptions

One of the most persistent challenges in addressing obesity in Vietnam is the stigma attached to it. Many individuals view obesity as a personal failing rather than a chronic disease, a misconception that discourages people from seeking help. This stigma is compounded by societal attitudes that often equate thinness with discipline and beauty, particularly for women. As a result, those living with obesity frequently face discrimination, both in social settings and within the healthcare system.

The ACTION-Vietnam Study found that stigma remains a significant barrier to effective care. Patients reported feeling judged by healthcare providers, while doctors admitted to hesitancy in discussing weight due to fear of causing offense. Breaking down these cultural barriers will be critical to fostering an environment where individuals feel empowered to seek treatment without shame.

Corporate and Government Responses

Efforts to combat Vietnam’s obesity crisis are gaining momentum, with both corporate and governmental actors stepping in. Novo Nordisk Vietnam, a global leader in chronic disease care, has taken a prominent role. Erik Wiebols, the company’s general manager, outlined their commitment at a recent press conference in Ho Chi Minh City: “We are committed to supporting Vietnam in the journey of raising awareness, improving the support system for people with obesity, and working with the Government to build a stronger and more effective health policy for treating obesity.”

The company is partnering with the Ministry of Health, hospitals, universities, and professional associations to enhance healthcare provider capacity and reduce stigma. Drawing on over a century of expertise in diabetes care, Novo Nordisk aims to reshape how obesity is perceived and managed in Vietnam. While such initiatives are promising, questions remain about the scalability of these efforts, particularly in underserved rural areas where access to specialized care is limited.

On the government side, there is growing recognition of the need for policy interventions. Public health campaigns promoting balanced diets and physical activity are in development, though their impact remains to be seen. Some experts have called for stricter regulations on the marketing of unhealthy foods, particularly to children, as well as subsidies for healthier options to make them more accessible to low-income families.

Beyond the immediate health impacts, Vietnam’s obesity crisis carries significant economic and social implications. The cost of treating obesity-related conditions is substantial, with hospital admissions for diabetes and cardiovascular issues already on the rise. A 2023 report by the Ministry of Health estimated that non-communicable diseases account for a growing share of healthcare expenditure, a trend likely to accelerate as obesity rates climb.

For individuals, the economic burden can be devastating. Medical expenses, coupled with reduced productivity due to health issues, place additional strain on families already grappling with rising living costs. In urban areas, where obesity prevalence is highest, the cost of healthy food options often exceeds that of cheaper, calorie-dense alternatives, perpetuating a cycle of poor nutrition.

Socially, the crisis risks exacerbating inequality. Wealthier urban families may have access to private healthcare and fitness facilities, while rural and low-income communities are left with fewer resources to address the issue. Without targeted interventions, the gap between those who can afford to manage their health and those who cannot will widen.

Looking Ahead: A Call for Action

As Vietnam confronts its obesity epidemic, the path forward requires a multi-faceted approach. Raising public awareness, reducing stigma, and improving access to care are essential first steps. Equally important is the need for systemic change—whether through policy measures, education reforms to include nutrition in school curricula, or investments in community health programs.

For now, the numbers continue to rise, and with them, the urgency of the challenge. As Associate Professor Tuan and other experts warn, addressing obesity is not just about individual choices but about building a healthier society. How Vietnam responds in the coming years could determine whether this epidemic becomes a manageable issue or a defining public health crisis for generations to come.