Overview

UN Youth Australia was grateful for the opportunity to provide a submission to the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade as part of the 19th Australia-Vietnam Human Rights Dialogue.

We saught to provide context to the treatment and sentiments of young people in Viet Nam and the ways in which they differ from the experience of Australian youth.

The submission closely assessed youth participation in decision-making, domestic sentiments and policies towards climate change, quality of education and fairness of employment opportunities, and support for mental health struggles available to Vietnamese youth.

UN Youth Australia thanks the following members for their contributions to this submission:

  • Vasil Samardzhiev, Chief Youth Representation Officer
  • Aakanshi Bansal, International Policy Intern
  • Claire Kenny, International Policy Intern
  • Megan Hince, Chief Human Resources Officer
  • Jordan Ng, Youth Engagement Director (UN Youth South Australia)
  • Imogen Kane, 2023 Australian Youth Representative to the UN
  • Gavin Choong, 2024 Australian Youth Representative to the UN

Recommendations

In recognition of youth participation as a human right, Australia should advocate for the Government of Viet Nam to:

  • institutionalise youth advisory positions within the National Committee on Youth of Vietnam, to encourage young people’s deeper involvement in decision-making;
  • encourage diverse youth participation through the provision of monetary or professional engagement incentives to young people who participate in the decision-making process;
  • encourage youth leadership and engagement through the educational curriculum.

With respect to climate change, Australia should advocate for the Government of Viet Nam to:

  • ensure education about the negative effects on climate change on Vietnam’s economy and biodiversity is comprehensively covered within national curriculum;
  • express its disapproval of the treatment of climate activists and adopt processes that uphold fundamental freedoms of individuals, including the freedom to protest;
  • deepen involvement of youth in climate change agenda-setting and policy design, through meaningful collaboration with the Youth for Climate Action Network.

In recognition of educational disparities in Viet Nam, Australia should advocate for the Government of Viet Nam to:

  • create specialised policies to address the educational needs of disadvantaged youth;
  • work closely with youth organisations to increase reach to youth from underrepresented ethnic backgrounds and regions;
  • facilitate bilateral knowledge-sharing opportunities, to enhance employability skills among youth across both countries;
  • integrate employability skills training in the national curriculum.  

With respect to youth’s concern about mental health services in Viet Nam, Australia should advocate for the Government of Viet Nam to:

  • undertake a cross-departmental mental health campaign to raise awareness and destigmatize mental health, in collaboration with government agencies, educational institutions, healthcare providers, and civil society;
  • establish accessible and affordable youth support services;
  • provide age-appropriate and culturally sensitive interventions.

Public Engagement and Participation

Youth participation in Viet Nam is still largely voluntary with minimal formal induction of youth into decision-making institutions. Voluntary participation restricts the involvement of a diverse youth cohort, thus concentrating engagement to a specific socio-economic demographic. There have been policy commitments to change this system, but they have failed to translate into systematic and inclusive youth engagement in governance systems.

Current State of Youth Participation in Viet Nam

Domestic initiatives like the Youth Law and the establishment of the National Committee on Youth of Viet Nam display the country’s recognition of the importance of youth participation in policy.

The Youth Law, first taken effect in 2006 and last amended in 2020 (57/2020/QH14), affirms the right of young people (aged 16 to 30) to be involved in decisions that directly affect them. It recognised that youth “play a crucial role in [the] national industrialization and modernization, [and] international integration” of Viet Nam. It affirms that young people should have equal rights to ordinary citizens, with those rights being “recognised, respected, protected and ensured under the Constitution and the law” (UN Viet Nam, 2021). The Law further reiterates that “youth policies of the State must be formulated and implemented with the youth’s participation and due respect paid to and consideration taken of the youth’s opinions and wishes” (UN Viet Nam, 2021), thereby placing value on youth participation for successful policy-making.

In addition to its legal recognition, Vietnamese youth’s participation in decision-making is further safeguarded by the creation of the National Committee on Youth of Vietnam. The Committee was created in 2022 with the role of an advisory body to the Prime Minister on youth work. The Committee researches, proposes and advocates for youth-friendly policies to ministers, government agencies and organisations, and oversees their implementation (Rin, 2023).

Youth participation in policy and decision-making processes remains limited in Viet Nam. The National Committee on Youth in Vietnam lacks direct participation from young people, as it is made up of prominent government figures and organisational representatives. While the absence of youth in decision-making committees does not inherently mean youth perspectives are not included, a 2015-2018 review by the Ministry of Home Affairs reveals that over 40 percent of youth have never engaged in policy-making exercises on issues of importance to them (UNFPA Viet Nam, 2021).  This suggests that, while legal frameworks exist, their implementation has been insufficient in providing meaningful opportunities for youth engagement.

Youth Participation Comparison between Australia and Viet Nam

Youth in Australia feel excluded from the policy development mechanisms. The 2023 Annual Report of the Australian Youth Representative to the UN found that only 12 percent of young Australians feel involved in decision-making (UN Youth Australia, 2023). Many young people believe their voices are not being heard, with 53 percent of young Australians sharing that they feel unrepresented in politics  (UN Youth Australia, 2023). Further work needs to be done to ensure Australian youth feel heard and involved.

In recognition of youth participation as a human right, Australia should advocate for the Government of Viet Nam to:

  • institutionalise youth advisory positions within the National Committee on Youth of Vietnam, to encourage young people’s deeper involvement in decision-making;
  • encourage diverse youth participation through the provision of monetary or professional engagement incentives to young people who participate in the decision-making process;
  • encourage youth leadership and engagement through the educational curriculum.

Climate Change

Young people in Viet Nam are deeply concerned with ongoing climate change developments and fear the effect it would have on their country and communities (Youth For Climate, 2022). Youth from rural regions are particularly vulnerable to the effects of climate change (Youth For Climate, 2022). Insufficient resources, inadequate education and limited opportunities restrict the ability of young people to meaningfully affect change.

Current State of Climate Change Advocacy in Viet Nam

Despite ongoing efforts of the Vietnamese government to address climate change, youth view current initiatives as inadequate. Viet Nam’s net-zero target emissions and the environmental protection laws are viewed as positive but insufficient efforts to address climate change by the youth (Youth For Climate, 2022).

The Vietnamese Government actively engages youth through collaborations with organisations like Youth for Climate Action Network (YCAN). Youth are also employed in the installation of renewable energy infrastructure in rural areas, like solar lights and water filters (Education above all, 2023).

Young people still feel limited in their capacity to engage in addressing climate change. The need for climate education has not been addressed by the education system, and continues to be absent from the national curriculum, according to the youth (Hoa, 2023). General limitations on individual freedoms in Viet Nam further restrict young people’s right to advocate for environmental issues to be addressed. Environmental human rights defenders have faced strict punishments and prison sentences due to their involvement in climate change and fossil-fuel-divestment movements (OHCR, 2024). 

Climate Change Advocacy Comparison between Australia and Viet Nam

According to a survey by the United Nations Development Programme, 87 percent of Vietnamese youth believe that climate change is a serious threat, and 92 percent want to contribute to climate solutions. Despite this enthusiasm, only 38 percent feel they have adequate knowledge and skills to take meaningful action (Youth For Climate, 2022). A similar sentiment is shared by young people in Australia, with 32.9 percent of Australian youths reporting climate change as their most pressing concern (UN Youth Australia, 2023). Australian and Vietnamese youth are deeply concerned about climate change, to the point that it is their top policy concern.

With respect to climate change, Australia should advocate for the Government of Viet Nam to:

  • ensure education about the negative effects on climate change on Vietnam’s economy and biodiversity is comprehensively covered within national curriculum;
  • express its disapproval of the treatment of climate activists and adopt processes that uphold fundamental freedoms of individuals, including the freedom to protest;
  • deepen involvement of youth in climate change agenda-setting and policy design, through meaningful collaboration with the Youth for Climate Action Network.

Education and Employment

Viet Nam’s education system has been subject to positive transformation in recent history, but some of this growth has been disproportionate. There is a divide between the quality of education received by young people in urban and rural areas, with ethnic minorities and economically-disadvantaged youth facing even greater disparities. An overemphasis on formal education has employment opportunities even more unequal, meaning that out-of-school youth struggle to find stable employment without formal education. These inequalities not only hinder individual growth but also impede Viet Nam’s ability to develop into a more inclusive and equal society.

Education in Viet Nam at Present

Socioeconomic status remains a key determinant of educational qualification globally. Young people from poorer households face substantial barriers to learning, with only 20 percent of students from the poorest quintile remaining in school by age 19, compared to 80 percent from the wealthiest quintile (OECD). Students from the state’s ethnic minorities also face significant educational disadvantages compared to the Kinh majority, with lower enrolment rates, higher dropout rates, and poorer learning outcomes. Similarly, children in regions like the Mekong Delta and Central Highlands persistently lag in academic performance (OECD). The urban-rural divide has seen a gradual shrinkage, largely attributed to a greater access to the internet in Viet Nam’s regions (World Bank, 2022).

Viet Nam’s education system has also traditionally prioritised formal education focused on exam preparation, university entrance, and degree acquisition over developing practical skills needed in the workplace (Tienh, 2014). This bias towards formal education over non-formal and vocational training has created a skills mismatch between the capabilities of graduates and labour market needs (Tienh, 2014). Employers find formal education inadequate for developing the applied skills required. According to the OECD Development Centre (2018), this contributes to high unemployment rates among the most educated young graduates, whose unemployment rate is more than three times that of young people with primary-level education.

Educational Comparison between Australia and Viet Nam

In the 2023 Listening Report, many young people in Australia reported feeling disadvantaged due to the urban-rural divide (UN Youth Australia, 2023). Students in major Australian cities outperform those in regional and remote areas, a situation similar to that in Viet Nam where secondary school enrolment in rural areas lags nearly 15 percent behind urban areas (Tran & Yang, 2022). Education in Australia fails to give young people confidence to tackle the future. Only 24 percent of Australian youth think that they are prepared for the future (UN Youth Australia, 2023). The bias in Viet Nam against non-formal and vocational training has created a skills mismatch between the capabilities of graduates and labour market needs, creating high youth unemployment, even for high achievers (Tienh, 2014).

In recognition of educational disparities in Viet Nam, Australia should advocate for the Government of Viet Nam to:

  • create specialised policies to address the educational needs of disadvantaged youth;
  • work closely with youth organisations to increase reach to youth from underrepresented ethnic backgrounds and regions;
  • facilitate bilateral knowledge-sharing opportunities, to enhance employability skills among youth across both countries;
  • integrate employability skills training in the national curriculum.

Mental Health

UNICEF research has revealed that mental health is a priority issue for youth in Viet Nam. The survey highlighted that one in five adolescents faces a mental health issue (UNICEF, 2023). A comprehensive approach is required to address the challenges faced by the youth with a focus on active collaboration between various stakeholders.

Current State of Mental Health in Viet Nam

A national survey conducted in Viet Nam revealed that nearly 22 percent of adolescents reported having a mental health problem, with anxiety being the most prevalent issue (Viet Nam Institute of Sociology, 2022). The survey also revealed that the issues were primarily associated with concerns about family, school or work and social relationships.

Studies have found not only a lack of support services, but also parental recognition of mental health concerns expressed by their children. Alarmingly, only 5% of parents recognized that their adolescent needed help for emotional and behavioural challenges (UNICEF, 2023). The lack of awareness, the stigma surrounding mental health issues, and few age- or gender-appropriate services are significant barriers to seeking help. 

Mental Health Comparison between Australia and Viet Nam

Both Australian and Vietnamese youth consider mental health an important matter. 9.9 percent of participants in the 2023 Listening Tour selected mental health as their most important concern (UN Youth Australia, 2023). A prominent issue experienced by youth across the two states is access to services. In Viet Nam, only 8.4 percent of adolescents were able to access necessary support services or counselling for emotional and behavioural challenges (Viet Nam News Agency, 2024). Similarly, the 2023 Listening Tour found that 60 percent of youth find accessing support services difficult (UN Youth Australia, 2023).

A difference between the two countries is mental health stigma. Australia generally promotes a more open dialogue about mental health, whilst cultural beliefs in Viet Nam, such as beliefs about family honour, mean that mental health is traditionally associated with shame and embarrassment (Cox, 2018).

With respect to youth’s concern about mental health services in Viet Nam, Australia should advocate for the Government of Viet Nam to:

  • undertake a cross-departmental mental health campaign to raise awareness and destigmatize mental health, in collaboration with government agencies, educational institutions, healthcare providers, and civil society;
  • establish accessible and affordable youth support services;
  • provide age-appropriate and culturally sensitive interventions.

References (APA7)

Australian Youth Representative to the United Nations Report 2023

  • Kane, I., & Andonov, I. (2024). Australian Youth Representative to the United Nations Program: 2023 Report. Melbourne, Victoria: UN Youth Australia. https://ausyouthrep.unyouth.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/2023-YR-Report-no-video-1-4.pdf

Additional References

Overview

UN Youth Australia was grateful for the opportunity to provide a submission to the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade as part of the 19th Australia-Vietnam Human Rights Dialogue.

We saught to provide context to the treatment and sentiments of young people in Viet Nam and the ways in which they differ from the experience of Australian youth.

The submission closely assessed youth participation in decision-making, domestic sentiments and policies towards climate change, quality of education and fairness of employment opportunities, and support for mental health struggles available to Vietnamese youth.

UN Youth Australia thanks the following members for their contributions to this submission:

  • Vasil Samardzhiev, Chief Youth Representation Officer
  • Aakanshi Bansal, International Policy Intern
  • Claire Kenny, International Policy Intern
  • Megan Hince, Chief Human Resources Officer
  • Jordan Ng, Youth Engagement Director (UN Youth South Australia)
  • Imogen Kane, 2023 Australian Youth Representative to the UN
  • Gavin Choong, 2024 Australian Youth Representative to the UN

Recommendations

In recognition of youth participation as a human right, Australia should advocate for the Government of Viet Nam to:

  • institutionalise youth advisory positions within the National Committee on Youth of Vietnam, to encourage young people’s deeper involvement in decision-making;
  • encourage diverse youth participation through the provision of monetary or professional engagement incentives to young people who participate in the decision-making process;
  • encourage youth leadership and engagement through the educational curriculum.

With respect to climate change, Australia should advocate for the Government of Viet Nam to:

  • ensure education about the negative effects on climate change on Vietnam’s economy and biodiversity is comprehensively covered within national curriculum;
  • express its disapproval of the treatment of climate activists and adopt processes that uphold fundamental freedoms of individuals, including the freedom to protest;
  • deepen involvement of youth in climate change agenda-setting and policy design, through meaningful collaboration with the Youth for Climate Action Network.

In recognition of educational disparities in Viet Nam, Australia should advocate for the Government of Viet Nam to:

  • create specialised policies to address the educational needs of disadvantaged youth;
  • work closely with youth organisations to increase reach to youth from underrepresented ethnic backgrounds and regions;
  • facilitate bilateral knowledge-sharing opportunities, to enhance employability skills among youth across both countries;
  • integrate employability skills training in the national curriculum.  

With respect to youth’s concern about mental health services in Viet Nam, Australia should advocate for the Government of Viet Nam to:

  • undertake a cross-departmental mental health campaign to raise awareness and destigmatize mental health, in collaboration with government agencies, educational institutions, healthcare providers, and civil society;
  • establish accessible and affordable youth support services;
  • provide age-appropriate and culturally sensitive interventions.

Public Engagement and Participation

Youth participation in Viet Nam is still largely voluntary with minimal formal induction of youth into decision-making institutions. Voluntary participation restricts the involvement of a diverse youth cohort, thus concentrating engagement to a specific socio-economic demographic. There have been policy commitments to change this system, but they have failed to translate into systematic and inclusive youth engagement in governance systems.

Current State of Youth Participation in Viet Nam

Domestic initiatives like the Youth Law and the establishment of the National Committee on Youth of Viet Nam display the country’s recognition of the importance of youth participation in policy.

The Youth Law, first taken effect in 2006 and last amended in 2020 (57/2020/QH14), affirms the right of young people (aged 16 to 30) to be involved in decisions that directly affect them. It recognised that youth “play a crucial role in [the] national industrialization and modernization, [and] international integration” of Viet Nam. It affirms that young people should have equal rights to ordinary citizens, with those rights being “recognised, respected, protected and ensured under the Constitution and the law” (UN Viet Nam, 2021). The Law further reiterates that “youth policies of the State must be formulated and implemented with the youth’s participation and due respect paid to and consideration taken of the youth’s opinions and wishes” (UN Viet Nam, 2021), thereby placing value on youth participation for successful policy-making.

In addition to its legal recognition, Vietnamese youth’s participation in decision-making is further safeguarded by the creation of the National Committee on Youth of Vietnam. The Committee was created in 2022 with the role of an advisory body to the Prime Minister on youth work. The Committee researches, proposes and advocates for youth-friendly policies to ministers, government agencies and organisations, and oversees their implementation (Rin, 2023).

Youth participation in policy and decision-making processes remains limited in Viet Nam. The National Committee on Youth in Vietnam lacks direct participation from young people, as it is made up of prominent government figures and organisational representatives. While the absence of youth in decision-making committees does not inherently mean youth perspectives are not included, a 2015-2018 review by the Ministry of Home Affairs reveals that over 40 percent of youth have never engaged in policy-making exercises on issues of importance to them (UNFPA Viet Nam, 2021).  This suggests that, while legal frameworks exist, their implementation has been insufficient in providing meaningful opportunities for youth engagement.

Youth Participation Comparison between Australia and Viet Nam

Youth in Australia feel excluded from the policy development mechanisms. The 2023 Annual Report of the Australian Youth Representative to the UN found that only 12 percent of young Australians feel involved in decision-making (UN Youth Australia, 2023). Many young people believe their voices are not being heard, with 53 percent of young Australians sharing that they feel unrepresented in politics  (UN Youth Australia, 2023). Further work needs to be done to ensure Australian youth feel heard and involved.

In recognition of youth participation as a human right, Australia should advocate for the Government of Viet Nam to:

  • institutionalise youth advisory positions within the National Committee on Youth of Vietnam, to encourage young people’s deeper involvement in decision-making;
  • encourage diverse youth participation through the provision of monetary or professional engagement incentives to young people who participate in the decision-making process;
  • encourage youth leadership and engagement through the educational curriculum.

Climate Change

Young people in Viet Nam are deeply concerned with ongoing climate change developments and fear the effect it would have on their country and communities (Youth For Climate, 2022). Youth from rural regions are particularly vulnerable to the effects of climate change (Youth For Climate, 2022). Insufficient resources, inadequate education and limited opportunities restrict the ability of young people to meaningfully affect change.

Current State of Climate Change Advocacy in Viet Nam

Despite ongoing efforts of the Vietnamese government to address climate change, youth view current initiatives as inadequate. Viet Nam’s net-zero target emissions and the environmental protection laws are viewed as positive but insufficient efforts to address climate change by the youth (Youth For Climate, 2022).

The Vietnamese Government actively engages youth through collaborations with organisations like Youth for Climate Action Network (YCAN). Youth are also employed in the installation of renewable energy infrastructure in rural areas, like solar lights and water filters (Education above all, 2023).

Young people still feel limited in their capacity to engage in addressing climate change. The need for climate education has not been addressed by the education system, and continues to be absent from the national curriculum, according to the youth (Hoa, 2023). General limitations on individual freedoms in Viet Nam further restrict young people’s right to advocate for environmental issues to be addressed. Environmental human rights defenders have faced strict punishments and prison sentences due to their involvement in climate change and fossil-fuel-divestment movements (OHCR, 2024). 

Climate Change Advocacy Comparison between Australia and Viet Nam

According to a survey by the United Nations Development Programme, 87 percent of Vietnamese youth believe that climate change is a serious threat, and 92 percent want to contribute to climate solutions. Despite this enthusiasm, only 38 percent feel they have adequate knowledge and skills to take meaningful action (Youth For Climate, 2022). A similar sentiment is shared by young people in Australia, with 32.9 percent of Australian youths reporting climate change as their most pressing concern (UN Youth Australia, 2023). Australian and Vietnamese youth are deeply concerned about climate change, to the point that it is their top policy concern.

With respect to climate change, Australia should advocate for the Government of Viet Nam to:

  • ensure education about the negative effects on climate change on Vietnam’s economy and biodiversity is comprehensively covered within national curriculum;
  • express its disapproval of the treatment of climate activists and adopt processes that uphold fundamental freedoms of individuals, including the freedom to protest;
  • deepen involvement of youth in climate change agenda-setting and policy design, through meaningful collaboration with the Youth for Climate Action Network.

Education and Employment

Viet Nam’s education system has been subject to positive transformation in recent history, but some of this growth has been disproportionate. There is a divide between the quality of education received by young people in urban and rural areas, with ethnic minorities and economically-disadvantaged youth facing even greater disparities. An overemphasis on formal education has employment opportunities even more unequal, meaning that out-of-school youth struggle to find stable employment without formal education. These inequalities not only hinder individual growth but also impede Viet Nam’s ability to develop into a more inclusive and equal society.

Education in Viet Nam at Present

Socioeconomic status remains a key determinant of educational qualification globally. Young people from poorer households face substantial barriers to learning, with only 20 percent of students from the poorest quintile remaining in school by age 19, compared to 80 percent from the wealthiest quintile (OECD). Students from the state’s ethnic minorities also face significant educational disadvantages compared to the Kinh majority, with lower enrolment rates, higher dropout rates, and poorer learning outcomes. Similarly, children in regions like the Mekong Delta and Central Highlands persistently lag in academic performance (OECD). The urban-rural divide has seen a gradual shrinkage, largely attributed to a greater access to the internet in Viet Nam’s regions (World Bank, 2022).

Viet Nam’s education system has also traditionally prioritised formal education focused on exam preparation, university entrance, and degree acquisition over developing practical skills needed in the workplace (Tienh, 2014). This bias towards formal education over non-formal and vocational training has created a skills mismatch between the capabilities of graduates and labour market needs (Tienh, 2014). Employers find formal education inadequate for developing the applied skills required. According to the OECD Development Centre (2018), this contributes to high unemployment rates among the most educated young graduates, whose unemployment rate is more than three times that of young people with primary-level education.

Educational Comparison between Australia and Viet Nam

In the 2023 Listening Report, many young people in Australia reported feeling disadvantaged due to the urban-rural divide (UN Youth Australia, 2023). Students in major Australian cities outperform those in regional and remote areas, a situation similar to that in Viet Nam where secondary school enrolment in rural areas lags nearly 15 percent behind urban areas (Tran & Yang, 2022). Education in Australia fails to give young people confidence to tackle the future. Only 24 percent of Australian youth think that they are prepared for the future (UN Youth Australia, 2023). The bias in Viet Nam against non-formal and vocational training has created a skills mismatch between the capabilities of graduates and labour market needs, creating high youth unemployment, even for high achievers (Tienh, 2014).

In recognition of educational disparities in Viet Nam, Australia should advocate for the Government of Viet Nam to:

  • create specialised policies to address the educational needs of disadvantaged youth;
  • work closely with youth organisations to increase reach to youth from underrepresented ethnic backgrounds and regions;
  • facilitate bilateral knowledge-sharing opportunities, to enhance employability skills among youth across both countries;
  • integrate employability skills training in the national curriculum.

Mental Health

UNICEF research has revealed that mental health is a priority issue for youth in Viet Nam. The survey highlighted that one in five adolescents faces a mental health issue (UNICEF, 2023). A comprehensive approach is required to address the challenges faced by the youth with a focus on active collaboration between various stakeholders.

Current State of Mental Health in Viet Nam

A national survey conducted in Viet Nam revealed that nearly 22 percent of adolescents reported having a mental health problem, with anxiety being the most prevalent issue (Viet Nam Institute of Sociology, 2022). The survey also revealed that the issues were primarily associated with concerns about family, school or work and social relationships.

Studies have found not only a lack of support services, but also parental recognition of mental health concerns expressed by their children. Alarmingly, only 5% of parents recognized that their adolescent needed help for emotional and behavioural challenges (UNICEF, 2023). The lack of awareness, the stigma surrounding mental health issues, and few age- or gender-appropriate services are significant barriers to seeking help. 

Mental Health Comparison between Australia and Viet Nam

Both Australian and Vietnamese youth consider mental health an important matter. 9.9 percent of participants in the 2023 Listening Tour selected mental health as their most important concern (UN Youth Australia, 2023). A prominent issue experienced by youth across the two states is access to services. In Viet Nam, only 8.4 percent of adolescents were able to access necessary support services or counselling for emotional and behavioural challenges (Viet Nam News Agency, 2024). Similarly, the 2023 Listening Tour found that 60 percent of youth find accessing support services difficult (UN Youth Australia, 2023).

A difference between the two countries is mental health stigma. Australia generally promotes a more open dialogue about mental health, whilst cultural beliefs in Viet Nam, such as beliefs about family honour, mean that mental health is traditionally associated with shame and embarrassment (Cox, 2018).

With respect to youth’s concern about mental health services in Viet Nam, Australia should advocate for the Government of Viet Nam to:

  • undertake a cross-departmental mental health campaign to raise awareness and destigmatize mental health, in collaboration with government agencies, educational institutions, healthcare providers, and civil society;
  • establish accessible and affordable youth support services;
  • provide age-appropriate and culturally sensitive interventions.

References (APA7)

Australian Youth Representative to the United Nations Report 2023

  • Kane, I., & Andonov, I. (2024). Australian Youth Representative to the United Nations Program: 2023 Report. Melbourne, Victoria: UN Youth Australia. https://ausyouthrep.unyouth.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/2023-YR-Report-no-video-1-4.pdf

Additional References

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