INTRODUCTION AND IMPLEMENTATION GUIDANCE SESSION FOR THE NO-RB PROJECT IN NINH BINH PROVINCE

Launching the No-RB Project in Ninh Binh

On the morning of 8 August 2026, at the Hoa Lu 2 Meeting Room, Hoang Son Peace Hotel, Hoa Lu Ward, Ninh Binh Province, the Research and Training Centre for Community Development (RTCCD), in collaboration with the Ninh Binh Provincial Women’s Union, organized an Introduction and Implementation Guidance Session for the project “Strengthening Women’s and Community Engagement in Preventing Alcohol-Related Harm in Hanoi and Ninh Binh Province” (the No-RB Project).

The session brought together 45 participants, including representatives from local authorities, mass organizations, and key community stakeholders. Participants included representatives of commune- and ward-level People’s Committees, the Women’s Union, the Vietnam Fatherland Front, and other local community leaders. The session marked an important starting point for aligning implementation plans, strengthening coordination among stakeholders, and preparing for a series of capacity-building activities and community initiatives on alcohol harm prevention in five communes and wards of Ninh Binh Province.

The No-RB Project was approved by the Vietnam Union of Science and Technology Associations (VUSTA) under Decision No. 297/QĐ-LHHVN dated 4 May 2026 and is being implemented across 10 communes and wards in Hanoi and Ninh Binh Province. In Ninh Binh, the project is being implemented in five communes and wards: Nam Hoa Lu, Phu Long, Phu Van, Nam Ninh, and Yen Dong.

Understanding Alcohol-Related Harm and the Legal Framework

The session opened with an overview of the project, the current situation of alcohol use in Vietnam, the project’s objectives, expected results, and key activities.

The programme focused on the harms and current patterns of alcohol use. Dr. Nguyen Huy Quang, Head of the Department of Consultation, Policy Review and Social Assessment of the Vietnam Medical Association and former Director of the Legal Department, Ministry of Health, shared insights into the health, economic and social consequences of alcohol use. Participants were also introduced to key provisions of Vietnam’s Law on Prevention and Control of Alcohol-Related Harm and relevant policies and regulations.

Another important topic was the role of local authorities, the Women’s Union, local mass organizations, and families in promoting a culture of responsible behavior and building healthier and safer community environments.

Strengthening Dialogue and Community Engagement

Beyond receiving information, participants actively engaged in group discussions. Groups discussed topics related to alcohol-related harm, relevant policies and legislation, and the roles of local authorities and community organizations, before presenting their findings to the wider group.

Through these discussions, participants jointly identified the roles of the Women’s Union, People’s Committees, Vietnam Fatherland Front, and other stakeholders, as well as the expected frequency and forms of their engagement throughout project implementation at the local level.

The session also featured a presentation by Dr. Nguyen Huy Quang, Head of the Department of Consultation, Policy Review and Social Assessment of the Vietnam Medical Association, former Director of the Legal Department of the Ministry of Health, and former member of the drafting team for the Law on Prevention and Control of Alcohol-Related Harm. Drawing on his extensive experience in health policy and legislation, Dr. Quang shared key provisions of the Law and practical lessons from its implementation in Vietnam.

Moving Toward the Next Phase of Local Implementation

At the end of the session, participants were introduced to the next steps of the project and provided with implementation guidance and materials to prepare for subsequent activities. The programme also included a discussion and reflection session to review the expected outputs, followed by a group photo.

During the 2026–2028 implementation period, the No-RB Project aims to strengthen women’s and community engagement in preventing and reducing alcohol-related harm by increasing understanding of the Law on Prevention and Control of Alcohol-Related Harm; supporting the Women’s Union in developing and implementing community-based alcohol harm prevention initiatives; supporting local authorities to integrate alcohol harm prevention into community conventions, village regulations, and other local rules; and documenting, sharing, and scaling up promising community initiatives.

Through these activities, RTCCD seeks to strengthen the role of women and communities in preventing alcohol-related harm while contributing to safer, healthier, and more inclusive communities in Hanoi and Ninh Binh.