The family is the fundamental social unit shaping individual growth and fostering sustainable societal development. The influence of family on the character and life of each person is unparalleled.
Recognizing this, in 2001, the Prime Minister issued a decision to designate June 28 each year as Vietnamese Family Day. This special day honors the humanistic values of the Vietnamese family, encouraging family members to care for one another, fostering family connections, and drawing society’s attention to children. It is a day for spouses to reflect on the value of a warm home and to build happiness together.
Since then, Hanoi has made family-building a priority. Amidst an era of profound and dynamic integration, Hanoi’s family programs face numerous challenges. However, with a clear understanding of the family’s unique role, the City Party Committee, the People’s Council, and the People’s Committee have continued to direct efforts to support family initiatives, effectively implementing programs across several Party Congress tenures.
To address existing limitations and strengthen the positive impact of families on social development, the city has focused on three core areas: cultivating the image of “Elegant and Civilized Hanoians”; promoting Cultural Families; and building cultural models that place individuals at the heart and families as the foundation. These efforts create a healthy environment that aligns with the vision of a modern, civilized Hanoi.
Following the city’s directives, local authorities have concentrated resources on family programs, achieving positive outcomes. Family development is a top priority, as cultural family standards provide a strong foundation for advancing other objectives. Annual processes to register, review, and certify Cultural Families in local communities are conducted rigorously and on schedule, with over 95% of households registering to participate. Each year, over 85% of households meet the Cultural Family standards. From 2020 to 2023, 88% of households achieved and maintained this status. In 2024, Hanoi aims to maintain this level, setting a target of 88% for Cultural Family certification.
The goal for cultural family certification in 2024 is 88%.
The protection and education of children, as well as the care of the elderly, remain a top priority for both families and communities. Gender equality is emphasized, ensuring equal rights for men and women across all sectors and in daily life. Public awareness campaigns on preventing domestic violence have been diversified through various forms to raise awareness and responsibility regarding gender equality and the fight against gender-based violence. These efforts include expanding and maintaining models to prevent domestic violence and strengthening inter-agency collaboration on domestic violence prevention. Efforts also focus on promoting moral and ethical education within families through the implementation of family behavior standards and media campaigns.
With the theme “Happy Families – Prosperous Nation,” the 23rd anniversary of Vietnamese Family Day (June 28) and the National Action Month for the Prevention of Domestic Violence in June 2024 provide an opportunity for all sectors, organizations, and the general public to reflect on the role and position of the family. It encourages discussions on organizing family life, fostering relationships within families, gender equality, and preventing domestic violence while honoring the deep humanistic values of Vietnamese families.
For a warm, equal, progressive, and happy family, each individual, household, and community organization should join efforts to preserve and promote the traditional cultural values of family life, live in a civilized manner, build cultural families, ensure gender equality, prevent domestic violence, and make each family a healthy unit of society.
Reporter