Vietnam's ethnic minorities break free from child marriage traditions

Authorities in Thanh Hoá Province are tackling the persistent issue of early and consanguineous marriage, particularly within ethnic minority communities. These practices have brought lasting harm to families and society in the region. Local leaders have intensified efforts to change attitudes and reduce such cases. In Mường Lát Commune, the problem was once widespread. In 2021, nearly one in five marriages involved child marriage, while a small fraction were consanguineous. In Pù Ngùa village, the rate even reached 30 per cent in some years.

Outdated customs played a role in sustaining the trend. Many in the Mông community believed early marriage secured more descendants and extra labour for farming. Families like that of Thao Văn Sênh and Hơ Thị Thợ, who married young, saw their own children follow the same path.

To combat this, the commune took action. Officials organised 18 extracurricular sessions and 19 conferences to educate students, parents, and leaders about the risks. By 2023, child marriages in the area had dropped to 12 per cent, with no consanguineous marriages recorded. Progress has been made, but child marriage has not been fully eradicated in Mường Lát Commune. The sustained work of local authorities has led to measurable improvements. Awareness campaigns continue to target deep-rooted traditions in ethnic minority groups.