Vietnamese becoming obese due to fast eating, lack of exercise

A comprehensive new study has revealed a stark contradiction in Vietnam’s public health landscape, showing that while the vast majority of citizens recognize obesity as a serious chronic disease, sedentary habits and deep-seated cultural misconceptions are fueling the fastest-growing obesity rate in Southeast Asia. According to a 2025 survey conducted by Novo Nordisk in collaboration with Decision Lab, 83% of urban adults understand that obesity can trigger severe complications such as cardiovascular disease and diabetes, yet this awareness has failed to spark significant behavioral change.

The findings highlight a widespread crisis of inactivity, with nearly two-thirds of respondents reporting that they spend more than six hours a day sitting. This lack of movement is compounded by poor dietary choices, as more than a third of the population regularly consumes processed foods high in "empty" calories. On average, Vietnamese citizens consume levels of salt and free sugar that are nearly double the maximum amounts recommended by the World Health Organization, leading to a surge in metabolic disorders.

Cultural perceptions regarding child-rearing have emerged as a significant barrier to early intervention. The survey found that 55% of parents are more concerned about their children under-eating than overeating, while 42% still associate a "chubby" appearance with good health. Furthermore, over a third of parents believe that increased food intake is the primary driver of rapid growth, a misconception that inadvertently increases the risk of childhood obesity from a very young age.

The scale of physical inactivity in Vietnam is now among the worst globally, with the United Nations Population Fund ranking the country among the world's ten least active nations. Data from the Ministry of Health indicates that 30% of adults do not meet basic exercise requirements, and the physical endurance and strength of the nation's youth consistently fall below international benchmarks. This lack of fitness is viewed by experts as a major hurdle to improving national health outcomes.

While Vietnam currently maintains one of the lower overall obesity rates in the region, the World Obesity Atlas 2025 warns that the country is recording a regional-high growth rate of 38%. This rapid increase is particularly evident in schools, where the prevalence of overweight and obese students has more than doubled over the last decade. In major urban centers, more than one in four students is now classified as overweight or obese.

Dr. Tran Thanh Duong, Director of the National Institute of Nutrition, has described the situation as a "ticking time bomb" for the nation’s future. He noted that the rate of increase in Vietnam is now faster than that of Thailand and is rapidly approaching the levels seen in developed Western countries. This trend carries heavy implications for both the long-term burden on the healthcare system and the overall productivity of the national workforce.

The World Health Organization has emphasized that obesity must be treated as a complex, chronic disease rather than a personal failing. Consequently, health experts are calling for a coordinated, multi-sectoral response that includes policy reform, improvements in healthcare capacity, and a shift in how the food industry markets its products. Vietnam currently ranks 108th out of 183 nations in its readiness to treat obesity, suggesting significant gaps in the country's medical infrastructure.

As World Obesity Day highlights these growing concerns, Vietnamese health authorities are urging the public to adopt more balanced diets and scrutinize nutrition labels for hidden sugars and fats. The goal is to move beyond simple recognition of the problem toward a society-wide transformation in physical activity and nutrition to prevent a looming public health catastrophe.