Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus in Vietnam: Epidemiology, Risk Factors, Complications, Nursing Implications and Health-System Challenges – A Comprehensive Review

Background : Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is an expanding public health problem in Vietnam, driven by population ageing, urbanization, nutritional transition, physical inactivity, obesity, hypertension and limited early detection. Nurses play a central role in diabetes prevention, patient education, self-management support, screening for complications and continuity of care.Methods: This comprehensive review synthesized evidence on T2DM in Vietnam from international databases and authoritative reports. PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, Google Scholar, WHO, GBD, IDF, PLOS, BMC and Lancet-related sources were searched for Vietnam-specific studies and relevant global evidence published mainly from 2010 to 2026. Evidence was grouped into epidemiology, risk factors, complications, diabetes self-management, nursing care and health-system gaps.Results: National data show a marked increase in diabetes and impaired fasting glycaemia in Vietnam. WHO/MOH STEPS 2021 reported raised blood glucose or current diabetes medication use in 7.1% of adults aged 18-69 years, with a higher rate among adults aged 50-69 years. However, only about one third of affected adults had been previously diagnosed and less than one fourth were being managed at a health facility. Vietnamese studies consistently identify older age, urban residence, obesity, abdominal adiposity, hypertension, dyslipidaemia, physical inactivity, unhealthy diet and family history as major risk factors. Complications such as retinopathy, nephropathy, neuropathy, cardiovascular disease, diabetic foot problems, psychological distress and impaired quality of life are increasingly reported.Conclusions: T2DM in Vietnam represents a growing burden requiring integrated prevention, early detection, chronic disease management and nursing-led self-management support. Strengthening diabetes care at the primary health-care level and expanding nurse-led education may improve glycaemic control, complication prevention and quality of life.