Vietnam's remote village breaks free from child and consanguineous marriages

Pù Ngùa village in Pù Nhi Commune was once known for high rates of early and consanguineous marriage, with cases reaching 30 per cent. Thao Văn Sênh and Hơ Thị Thợ were among those who married young without a ceremony or legal registration. Their daughter, Thao Thị Nhi, later followed a similar path, having a child at 16 without a birth certificate. Outdated customs and a lack of parental supervision were key factors behind early marriages in Mông communities. These practices had serious, long-term effects on families and society in Thanh Hoá Province.

Local authorities in Mường Lát Commune took action to address the issue. They organised 18 extracurricular sessions and 19 awareness conferences to educate residents about the risks of child and consanguineous marriage. Their efforts brought clear results.

By 2023, consanguineous marriages in the commune had fallen to zero. Child marriage rates also dropped significantly, from 19.2 per cent in 2021 to 12 per cent in 2023. Progress has been made in reducing harmful marriage practices in Mường Lát Commune. However, child marriage has not yet been fully eradicated in Thanh Hoá Province. Authorities continue to work towards eliminating these issues entirely.