Vietnam Went From One Of The Leanest Nations To One Of Southeast Asia’s Fastest-Rising Obesity

Vietnam once surprised the world with a 2.1% obesity rate, ranking 200th out of 200 countries on the Global Obesity Chart by the World Obesity Federation in 2022, which effectively means the lowest obesity rate on the planet.

However, this does not mean Vietnam is “the world’s thinnest country.” Data from Vietnam’s Ministry of Health in 2026 shows that around 20% of the population is now overweight or obese which means roughly 20 million Vietnamese are struggling with excess weight.

While the proportion of people with clinical obesity (Body Mass Index (BMI) ≥30) remains among the lowest globally, the share of adults who are overweight (BMI ≥25) is rising at one of the fastest rates in Southeast Asia, challenging Vietnam’s long-held reputation for being a “naturally thin” nation.

The lowest, but fastest-growing rate

Vietnam once recorded one of the lowest rates of overweight and obesity. In 2010, according to the National Institute of Nutrition, obesity prevalence was 2.6% among adults and 8.5% among children, compared with 35.7% of adults and 16.9% of children and adolescents in the United States during the same period.

Many attribute these low rates to Vietnam’s traditional diet and lifestyle. Vietnamese cuisine emphasises fresh vegetables, lean proteins and modest portion sizes, while Western-style fast food remains far less common than in wealthier countries. Combined with historically high levels of daily physical activities through labour-intensive jobs and daily routines, this pattern helped keep obesity prevalence low for decades.

However, the number of overweight and obese individuals in Vietnam is climbing rapidly. By 2020, data from the National Institute of Nutrition suggested that Vietnam’s obesity rate had risen to 6.6% among adults and 19.0% among children – a two to three-fold increase from 2010.

Obesity and overweight is rising fastest in urban areas, where overall rates have reached 26.8% compared with 18.3% in rural regions. Among adolescents, prevalence has already exceeded 50% in Ho Chi Minh City and 41% in Hanoi.

When looking specifically at clinical obesity (BMI ≥ 30), Vietnam’s rate remains low by global standards. According to the Global Obesity Chart, in 2022, the country’s obesity rate was just 2.1% among adults and 3.09% among children, among the lowest in the world.

However, the overweight category (BMI 25–29.9) tells a different story: rates have climbed to around 20% in adults and nearly 30% in children. This indicates that Vietnam is entering a critical “risk zone,” where a large share of the population is hovering just below the obesity threshold.

In 2026, the World Health Organisation (WHO) estimates that around 19.5% of Vietnam’s population (nearly 20 million people) is overweight or obese (BMI ≥ 25). The prevalence of overweight and obesity in Vietnam has increased by approximately 38%, placing it among the fastest-rising in Southeast Asia.

Modern lifestyles behind the rising weight problem

Experts say Vietnam’s rapid rise in excess weight is closely tied to modern urban lifestyles.

According to a Decision Lab survey on 1000 people living in 5 big cities in Vietnam, two-thirds of participants spend over six hours a day sitting, as seen in office workers, while more than one-third regularly consume packaged or ultra-processed products high in salt, sugar and empty calories.

Vietnamese adults are consuming an average of 8.1 grams of salt per day and 46.5 grams of free sugar, almost double the intake recommended by the WHO. At the same time, rising consumption of packaged and ultra-processed foods is increasing the risk of metabolic disorders and diseases such as obesity, diabetes and cardiovascular conditions.

Child-feeding habits add to the problem. Many parents still equate “chubbiness” with good health, or worry more about children not eating enough than overeating. This misconception has allowed excess weight to creep in early.

Physical inactivity is also widespread. UNFPA lists Vietnam among the world’s ten least active countries. An average Vietnamese just walks 3,660 steps a day, far below the 10,000-step recommendation by the WHO.

Dr. Pham Thi Minh Chau, a psychiatrist at the University of Medicine and Pharmacy in Ho Chi Minh City, notes that beyond the physical and financial burden, people living with excess weight also face significant psychological harm. Social stigma and self-blame, she says, can fuel mental health issues such as depression and anxiety.

Once depression sets in, the cycle often worsens. Patients may develop disordered eating, turn to emotional eating, or become less physically active, which contribute to further weight gain. Studies show that around 43% of adults with depression are obese, and people with depression face a substantially higher risk of developing obesity compared to those without the condition. Among children, those with depressive symptoms also tend to have higher BMI than their peers.

A growing crisis meets limited preparedness

According to the World Obesity Atlas 2023, obesity could impose an economic burden of up to USD 16.28 billion in Vietnam by 2035 — equivalent to around 2% of the country’s GDP.

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Tran Quang Nam, head of the Endocrinology Department at the University Medical Center Ho Chi Minh City, stresses that obesity is not simply excess weight but a chronic disease. It affects nearly every organ system through two main pathways: metabolic dysfunction and mechanical stress.

Although obesity rates have surged over the past two decades, Vietnam’s readiness to confront the epidemic remains limited. Vietnam ranks 108th out of 183 countries in obesity treatment preparedness, according to Decision Lab, reflecting limited healthcare capacity, persistent social stigma, and a rapidly rising obesity burden.

Dr Quang Nam also noted that many patients do not recognise that they have a medical condition, often lean on extreme self-directed weight-loss methods, such as completely cutting carbohydrates or exercising incorrectly, instead of seeking proper medical care. They only visit a doctor once serious complications have already developed, making treatment far more complex and costly. At the same time, a portion of healthcare workers still do not view obesity as a disease requiring systematic diagnosis and long-term management.

Vietnam has begun taking early steps toward stronger public-health measures. In June 2025, the National Assembly approved a special 8–10% excise tax on sugar-sweetened beverages, scheduled to take effect in 2027.

At the same time, education and health leaders are calling for expanded school sports and coordinated physical activity programs as part of a broader effort to improve children’s health.

These moves mark Vietnam’s first visible signs of commitment to tackling obesity. Yet they are only early steps. Whether the country can muster enough pressure and political will to truly take control of its public-health future, or slip into the ranks of the world’s “high-obesity” nations, remains a question only time will answer.