Trends in food production and food consumption in Vietnam during the period 1980-2000.

During the last ten years much attention has been paid to improving the health and nutritional status of the Vietnamese people. In 1995, the Government of Vietnam ratified the National Plan of Action for Nutrition (NPAN) for the period 1995-2000. Poverty reduction was one of the basic social policies given special attention. Several programs have been implemented in Vietnam by different sectors and ministries in an attempt to improve food intake and the nutritional status of the people. The implementation of the first NPAN (1995-2000) and other intervention programs to improve food production and consumption in Vietnam during the last decade have been successful. Trends showing improvement in the production of main foods during the last decade have been observed. The population's dietary intake has clearly improved in terms of both quality and quantity with the consumption of foods such as meats, fish, fat oils, and ripe fruits being much higher compared to 1987. The prevalence of child malnutrition during the last decade shows a marked decrease.