Department of Maternal and Child Health Expects to Scale Up the “Early Journey of Life” Model to Remote, Ethnic Minority Communities through National Target Program Funding

On 12 May 2026, following a field visit and working session with the Tuyen Quang Provincial Department of Health regarding a parenting education session integrated into immunization services in Quan Ba Commune, as well as a coordination meeting with provincial and commune-level health representatives and local authorities at the Lai Chau Department of Health, experts from Monash University (Australia) met with the Department of Maternal and Child Health under the Ministry of Health to discuss the implementation of the Positive Parenting Skills Training Program.

The program integrates parenting education into routine Expanded Programme on Immunization (EPI) sessions conducted at commune health stations, outreach vaccination sites, and thematic educational activities organized by hospitals.

Dr. Tran Dang Khoa expressed his appreciation for Monash University’s support in partnering with Vietnam over the past 20 years to implement projects and research initiatives promoting holistic child development.

The Department of Maternal and Child Health has collaborated with the Research and Training Centre for Community Development (RTCCD) for many years. Since the pilot implementation of the program in Ha Nam Province, the “Early Journey of Life” model has expanded to five provinces and cities. According to the Department, the approach adopted by Monash University and RTCCD is highly scientific, beginning with research and small-scale pilot interventions before scaling up to a broader population. This evidence-based approach aligns with the Department’s vision of eventually expanding the model nationwide.

Currently, the Department of Maternal and Child Health is working with experts to develop Vietnam’s National Strategy for Early Childhood Development for the period 2025–2045, with submissions to higher-level authorities scheduled by the end of October 2026.

The Department hopes that research findings from Ha Nam and future implementation provinces will provide robust scientific evidence to support policy recommendations and facilitate nationwide scale-up of the model through government funding. For hard-to-reach areas, including remote and mountainous regions and ethnic minority communities, the Department expressed its desire to continue receiving both technical and financial support from Monash University and RTCCD.

During the discussions, participants noted that Vietnam currently has two parenting education programs that share similar approaches, combining online learning with face-to-face training. Once official documentation is received from the respective implementing organizations, the Department will convene a tripartite meeting to harmonize the programs. The ultimate goal is to develop a unified National Guideline and professional resource package on nurturing and supporting holistic early childhood development across Vietnam.

The meeting concluded with strong consensus among all participants. Stakeholders expressed their shared commitment to sustainably integrating the Early Journey of Life model into routine health system services while expanding implementation to provinces nationwide. Particular emphasis was placed on scaling up successful interventions in mountainous, remote, and ethnic minority areas through funding from Vietnam’s National Target Programs.