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The paper introduces a study on the child marriage crisis in Lao Cai Province, Vietnam. A central research question identifies what sociocultural and economic components allow these practices to continue after numerous national-level campaigns against them. This study uses a qualitative research design that draws on secondary data sources (including policy documents, statistical reports, and community-based program evaluations). The key findings are that average child marriage rates remain alarmingly high, especially among the Hmong community, with 94% of all cases reported occurring within this group. The child marriages reported during 2021–2023 totaled 478. Of these, significantly fewer males (38) were involved compared with female child brides (74), with a predominant age between 14 and 15 years for girls and 18 and 19 years for boys. The study argues that a multipronged approach is necessary to combat child marriage in this state, which involves engaging communities by raising awareness, promoting sociocultural change, and emphasizing quality education. The study concludes that cultural change must be part of any long-term effort to ensure equal access for everyone, and achieving this will largely depend on what happens with educational funding and policy at all levels. By addressing these issues, stakeholders can eliminate the practice of child marriage, thereby reducing associated risks and promoting both gender equality and sustainable human development in Vietnam.
Nguyen Minh Triet (Wed,) studied this question.