Vietnam Revolutionises Reproductive Rights for Single Women

Photo courtesy of VN Express

In a groundbreaking move, Vietnam has updated its reproductive rights policy to allow single women to freeze their eggs and undergo IVF without requiring a medical reason. This significant change, effective from 1st October, means personal choice is now sufficient for these procedures, reflecting modern societal trends.

Previously, single women needed a specialist's approval, but the new decree recognises changing family dynamics. Many women today choose not to marry but still wish to embrace motherhood, prompting this progressive shift.

The new policy also enables single women to use donated embryos if their own eggs are not viable, illustrating a broader acceptance and support for diverse family structures. Nguyen Viet Tien, former Deputy Minister of Health, highlighted on 30th July how the update aligns with current realities.

Despite the recent legalisation, single women in Vietnam have been discreetly accessing IVF. They typically use their own eggs, fertilised with anonymous donor sperm from regulated banks that ensure donor confidentiality, explained Tien.

The popularity of egg freezing, once limited to married couples dealing with infertility, has surged among single women. At Hanoi Medical University Hospital's reproductive centre, the number of such cases has seen a dramatic rise—from 30–50 per year five years ago to about 100 today, mostly involving single women.

One Hanoi hospital reports having frozen eggs for approximately 350 women, with 5–7 new cases emerging each month. This option allows women to safeguard their future fertility, giving them the flexibility to start families later in life. Once frozen, eggs can be thawed, fertilised, and implanted, allowing for healthy pregnancies even past the prime reproductive years.

Vietnam's embrace of advanced reproductive techniques has been notable since its first IVF birth in 1998. To date, over 150,000 babies have been born through IVF in the country, alongside over 400 births via altruistic surrogacy. Presently, more than 50 fertility centres across Vietnam offer cutting-edge technology, with success rates in IVF reaching an impressive 70%, according to the Ministry of Health.

This policy transformation marks a historic step in reproductive rights, empowering women with more autonomy over their reproductive choices. By recognising personal decisions and modern family dynamics, Vietnam sets a precedent in the region for supporting diverse pathways to parenthood. As these changes take effect, thousands more women will have the opportunity to plan their futures in a way that suits their personal circumstances.

  Adapted by ASEAN Now from VN Express 2025-07-31