Hoa Binh province has shown strong performance in family planning by effectively implementing directions and plans in the field, including Directive No. 12/CT-UBND issued by the Chairman of the provincial People’s Committee on August 4, 2021 on rolling out measures to maintain the policy of each couple having two children, which is stated in community rules and the regulations of agencies, organisations, and units across the province of Hoa Binh for the 2021 – 2025 period.

Nguyen Thi Minh Phuong, Director of the provincial Population and Family Planning Sub-Department, stated that over the past three years, the implementation of Directive No. 12 has achieved notable results. The provincial Steering Committee for Population and Development Affairs has established two inter-agency inspection teams, carrying out two rounds of inspections in 2022 and 2023, evaluating eight district and city Population Steering Committees, four departments, and some affiliated units; 14 commune-level Steering Committees; and 42 villages. Previously, the district and city-level Population and Development Steering Committees had conducted inspections and evaluations of the Steering Committees at the commune, ward, and town levels. In 2024, 10 workshops have been held at various districts and cities, attended by 401 delegates. These workshops focused on discussing solutions to difficulties in incorporating population policy content into local community rules and coordinating 12 key meetings at the commune level to pilot the implementation of specific measures to address violations related to the birth of a third or subsequent child. Additionally, Guideline No. 207 on measures to address violations of population policy has been implemented to help localities incorporate these policies into community rules and the regulations of agencies and organisations.

Despite the achievements, implementing Directive No. 12 still faces several challenges. In some localities, the deep-rooted preference for sonshas driven many families to intentionally have a third child. Some regulations in community rules remain vague and lack deterrent power. The absence of financial penalties or material sanctions also poses a barrier to addressing violations. Furthermore, many agencies, units, and localities face difficulties and uncertainty in developing measures to enforce the family planning policy due to the lack of detailed guidelines and a failure to properly research and apply new legal documents.

To address these difficulties, the provincial Population and Development Steering Committee has proposed creative solutions and approaches. During workshops, several suggestions were made, setting the stage for enhancing the effectiveness of the population policy, such as implementing mechanisms to handle violations, and extending the time for salary increases or withholding rewards for those who commit violations. In some localities, voluntary measures, such as contributions to welfare project funds, have been introduced. Moreover, attention has been paid to the communications work, aiming to change attitudes, and reduce gender bias. Besides, various cultural activities, workshops, and competitions on population policy, especially in ethnic minority areas, have been held.

Phuong said over the past 10 years, the rate of third-child births has consistently increased from 5.6% in 2012 to 18.1% in 2022. However, since 2021 when the Directive No. 12 took effect, the rate fell to 17.2% in 2023, and is expected to be 17% in 2024. This has contributed to a reduction in the average number of children per couple, from 2.34 in 2019 to 2.17 in 2023, with a target of 2.1 by 2025.