On World Drowning Prevention Day, the Ministry of Health (MOH), the World Health Organization (WHO) and Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids (CTFK) call for urgent action to prevent drowning in Viet Nam.
This year’s global theme, “Unite to Turn the Tide," underscores the need to reverse the devastating toll of drowning, which claims more than 300,000 lives globally each year – around 30 deaths every hour. Children under five account for nearly one quarter of these deaths, with 92% occurring in low- and middle-income countries.
Under strong Government leadership and with cross-sectoral coordination, including family and community engagement, Viet Nam has made progress under the National Programme on Child Injury Prevention and Control (2021–2030). Programmes on survival swimming, water safety education, communication campaigns and community-based interventions have contributed to raising awareness and protecting thousands of children across the country. According to a report by the Ministry of Health, more than 5.8 million Vietnamese children aged 6 to 16 years old attended swimming lessons between 2021 and 2024 through the drowning prevention programme. More than 33% of children aged 6 to 15 can now swim, exceeding the target of 30% set for the 2021– 2025 period.
Children observe and practice basic rescue and CPR. Photo: CTFK
As a result of these and other efforts, child drowning deaths decreased by more than 20% between 2020 and 2025.
The National Programme is now aiming to reduce drowning by a further 10% by 2030. In Resolution 72, the Politburo set a clear direction to help create healthy and safe environments, prevent early death, and ensure children’s comprehensive development. This serves as an important basis for continuing to prioritize investment in drowning prevention in the coming period. To end preventable drowning, actions need to be integrated with health, education, disaster risk reduction and climate resilience, with strong coordination across all sectors and levels of Government, communities, schools, families and partners.
Dr Tran Dang Khoa, Deputy Director of the Administration of Maternal and Children's Affairs at the Ministry of Health, said, “In Viet Nam, drowning remains one of the leading causes of death among children, devastating families and communities. Most of these tragedies are preventable.
“Following recent serious drowning incidents, the Prime Minister has issued Directives No.40/CD-TTg and No.46/CD-TTg, requesting ministries, sectors and localities to continue to strengthen the work of preventing and combating child drowning; review and promptly warn about high-risk locations; promote teaching water safety and swimming skills; strengthen communications for parents; and enhance the responsibility of local authorities.”
“The Ministry of Health will continue to closely coordinate with other ministries, sectors, localities and international organizations to effectively implement the National Programme on Child Injury Prevention and Control (2021-2030); expand water safety education; strengthen communications to change behaviour; improve first aid and emergency response capabilities as well as monitoring and the data system on child drowning.”
WHO acting Representative in Viet Nam Dr Jennifer Horton said, “Child drowning is a preventable tragedy – recent statistics show drowning claimed more than 1,500 young lives in Viet Nam in 2025 – equivalent to five children a day. However, Viet Nam is showing progress to reduce this burden through coordinated action with multi-sectors and partners. This demonstrates preventing drowning is not solely a health issue. It is an issue of education, environmental safety, disaster preparedness, community development and social equity. Everyone has a role to play in turning the tide on drowning to prevent the tragedies that too many families face.”
CTFK Country Director Ms Doan Thu Huyen said, “Drowning can happen in just a few moments, yet drowning prevention requires long-term, systematic commitment and investment. Global and Vietnamese experience have shown that investing in survival swimming skills, prevention education, improved infrastructure, and strengthened local capacity are the most effective and sustainable solutions."
Notes for editors
Everyone can play their part in reducing drowning
Parents and caregivers can protect and train:
- Supervise children closely near any water
- Fence pools
- Cover household water sources
- Teach children swimming and water safety
- Learn CPR and safe rescue
Schools and educators can educate and equip:
- Bring water safety into curriculums
- Share water safety information
- Connect families with practical water safety resources
Workers around water can advocate for your safety:
- Always wear your lifejacket
- Insist on safety training and access to safety equipment
- Report unsafe working conditions
Employers and operators can create a safety culture:
- Provide safety training and equipment
- Meet international occupational safety standards
- Identify and respond to safety risks
Community leaders and advocates can encourage local drowning prevention measures:
- Map local water risks and identify solutions
- Run community swim and rescue training
- Establish or strengthen flood warning systems
Policy makers and regulators can legislate for safety:
- Pass laws that keep people safe around water
- Fund proven drowning prevention interventions
- Coordinate across sectors.
Administration of Maternal and Child Affairs (AMCA)
The Department of Maternal and Child Affairs (Ministry of Health) is the specialized agency responsible for assisting the Ministry of Health in state management and implementation of activities related to the protection and care of maternal, child, and adolescent health.
In the area of child drowning prevention, the Department leads the development, issuance, and guidance of technical programmes and materials; collaborates with ministries, sectors, and international organizations to implement effective intervention models; and strengthens public communication to raise awareness—particularly among parents and caregivers—about drowning prevention.
The Department also serves as the national focal point for developing policies and national action plans on child injury prevention, with drowning prevention as a key focus area.
World Health Organization (WHO) in Viet Nam
In 2021, the UN General Assembly adopted the first-ever Resolution on drowning prevention, which highlighted links to sustainable development, social equity, urban health, climate change, disaster risk reduction, and child health and well-being. The Resolution called on WHO to coordinate multisectoral drowning prevention efforts within the UN system and announced 25 July as World Drowning Prevention Day.
In Viet Nam, WHO provides technical support to the Government on drowning prevention, in collaboration with the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids (CTFK) and other partners, with generous support from Bloomberg Philanthropies. WHO has supported the Government in policy development and implementation of the National Programme for the Prevention and Control of Child Injury for 2021-2030 and the Intersectoral Collaboration Plan on Child Drowning Prevention for 2022-2030.
Based on global best practice and evidence, WHO's recommendations for preventing drowning include multisectoral collaboration, strengthening public awareness, establishing a national and local drowning prevention plan, and support for monitoring implementation.
Campaign For Tobacco-Free Kids (CTFK)
Campaign For Tobacco-Free Kids is a United States non-governmental organization established in 1997. In Viet Nam, the organization is coordinating with ministries, localities, and universities to implement many public health programmes, namely tobacco control, child drowning prevention, road traffic injury prevention and children’s healthy nutrition.