Co-creating Healthy Cities for Adolescents and Youth in Vietnam

Da Nang is Vietnam’s third-largest city, located in the central region of the country. With roughly one million residents, it is a vibrant industrial, commercial, financial, educational, technological and tourist hub. Adolescents and youth account for 26% of the population.

In 2019, Da Nang became Vietnam’s second candidate city under the Child-Friendly Cities Initiative (CFCI) of the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF). A situation analysis of children and adolescents was conducted to inform the City Programme of Action on Children (CPAC) 2021–2030, as well as the City Socio-Economic Development Plan and sectoral plans. Da Nang is now implementing CFCI initiatives and working towards being recognised as a child-friendly city by 2030. This creates an enabling environment for an intervention under the HCA programme.

Digital technologies play a central role in engagement and innovation, equipping young people to actively contribute ideas and solutions for a healthier Da Nang.

Quick facts

Country: vietnam

Cities: Da Nang

Project Timeline

February 2023

–

August 2026

Project Consortium

United Nations for Children’s Fund (UNICEF) (Lead Partner)

Da Nang City Authority
University of Da Nang - VNUK Institute for Research and Executive Education

About the project

Co-creating Healthy Cities for Adolescents and Youth in Vietnam was launched in October 2020 with a grant under HCA-I. In February 2023, the project secured HCA-II funding to continue contributing to the broader ambitions of the CFCI in Da Nang and the CPAC 2021–2030. The project aims to support Da Nang’s development as a vibrant, healthy and adolescent-friendly city. It focuses on ensuring access to essential quality services for adolescents, advocating for local investment in young people’s needs, and empowering adolescents to engage in city development. Digital tools and platforms are integrated across interventions to reach diverse adolescent groups through both online and in-person activities.

Key interventions

Targeted service improvements

Ensuring equitable access to quality essential services, including health and nutrition, WASH, education, protection from violence and social protection.

Evidence-based advocacy

Empowering adolescents to gather evidence-based practices and advocate for policies that address their vulnerabilities and needs, ensuring informed planning, budgeting and programme design.

Adolescent empowerment

Enhancing access to inclusive, quality learning and digital and transferable skills by promoting meaningful adolescent participation through innovative digital platforms. These platforms enable adolescents to voice concerns, share initiatives and contribute to creating a healthier city.

Project consortium and partnerships

The project consortium is led by UNICEF Vietnam and includes the Da Nang City Authority and the VNUK Institute for Research and Executive Education. Adolescent and youth representatives play an active role in the consortium’s steering committee, which meets at least once a year to review progress and provide strategic direction. The project works closely with key government agencies, including the Department of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs, the Department of Health, the Department of Education and Training and the Youth Union, throughout the design, implementation and monitoring phases. It also fosters partnerships with social enterprises and local academic institutions specialising in innovation and technology. This collaborative approach leverages diverse expertise and resources, reinforcing a shared commitment to making Da Nang a healthier, more inclusive city for adolescents and youth.