Viet Nam ranks 46th in World Happiness Report 2025
VGP - Viet Nam was ranked 46th in the World Happiness Report 2025, its highest position since the ranking was first introduced in 2012.
Happy children on their first day of accademic year - Illustration photo
The Southeast Asian country climbed eight places from 2024, 19 from 2023, and 50 compared to its 96th position in 2016.
Viet Nam remains the second happiest country in Southeast Asia after Singapore, which fell two places to 36th this year. The two countries are also the only Southeast Asian nations in the global top 50.
Globally, Viet Nam's upward trend contrasts with many developed Western countries, where happiness levels have generally declined over the past 15 to 20 years. In contrast, several developing nations, including Viet Nam, have recorded notable gains, reflecting improvements in economic growth, living standards and social stability, as well as growing positive public perceptions.
With a score of 6.428 out of 10, Viet Nam is among 21 countries that have seen significant improvements in happiness compared with the 2006-2010 period.
Looking ahead, the 14th National Party Congress set a target for Viet Nam to rank among the world's top 40 countries in the happiness rankings by 2030.
This ambition is underpinned by national strategies that prioritise quality of life, including adjustments to the national master plan for 2021–2030 with a vision to 2050. Key directions include strengthening social security, expanding healthcare and education, and raising the Human Development Index (HDI) to around 0.8 alongside higher per capita income.
Environmental protection has been identified as an urgent priority, with plans aimed at maintaining a green, clean, and culturally rich living environment, improving disaster forecasting and climate monitoring, and enhancing risk management to safeguard people's lives.
The Resolution of the 14th National Party Congress outlined the development orientation of the country for the 2026-2030 period, underlining the need to continue renewing mindset and action, promoting development to ensure stability, and using stability as a foundation for further development and improving people's living standards and happiness./.
