Viet Nam ranks 46th in World Happiness Report 2025
VGP - Viet Nam climbed to the 46th place in the World Happiness Report 2025, its highest position since the ranking was introduced in 2012.
The country rose eight places from 2024, 19 from 2023, and 50 compared to its 96th position in 2016.
Viet Nam remains the second-highest ranked 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.
With a score of 6.428 out of 10, Viet Nam is among 21 countries that have seen significant increases in happiness compared with the 2006-2010 period.
The improvement reflects not only higher living standards but also growing social trust, stability, and more positive public perceptions.
Looking ahead, the 14th National Party Congress has 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./.
