Human Sustainability through Dietary Transitions: Evidence from Urban Students' Shift toward Vegetarian Practices in Ho Chi Minh City

Background and objective: Vegetarian eating among university students has become an increasingly relevant topic as concerns about health, nutrition, and sustainable lifestyles shape the priorities of younger generations within the broader framework of human sustainability. Many studies have documented the health-related motivations underlying vegetarian eating among university students; however, far fewer have examined how economic considerations shape their dietary choices, particularly in Vietnam. This study investigates the extent to which economic and health motivations influence university students' likelihood of adopting a vegetarian diet. Methods: The study employed a structured questionnaire administered directly to students across seven universities in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. Students were asked to self-identify as vegetarian or non-vegetarian, and to respond to items measuring health-related and economic motivations for vegetarian eating, perceived health benefits of vegetarian diets, their level of engagement with vegetarian nutrition information, and their participation in physical and mental well-being activities. Results: The findings indicate that both health and economic motivations significantly influence students' likelihood of adopting a vegetarian diet, with health motivation emerging as the stronger predictor. The results also show that students who self-identify as vegetarians report more favorable evaluations of the health benefits of vegetarian diets. However, students who adopt vegetarian diets primarily for economic reasons show little interest in seeking information about vegetarian nutrition. Conclusion: Policymakers should place greater emphasis on improving the quality of vegetarian food options, alongside ensuring affordability for university students, as part of broader efforts to advance human sustainability in urban educational settings.