A Review of the Status of Implementation of Decree 21 and the International Code of Marketing of Breastmilk Substitutes in Vietnam

Assessment on the implementation of Decrec 21/ND-CP on marketing of breastmilk substitutes in Vietnam, for the Alive & Thrive Initiative

Year. 2011

Funded by: Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation through the Alive & Thrive Initiative; Partners with: GMMB and AED

Decree 21/2006/ND-CP is a legal base for protecting and promoting breastfeeding practices by limiting aggressive and inappropriate marketing of nutrition products for young children. The Alive & Thrive (A&T) Initiative and UNICEF are working closely with the Ministry of Health to strengthen monitoring and compliance of Decree 21 and the International Code on the Marketing of Breast Milk Substitutes. From April to July of 2011, ISMS worked with A&T to assess the implementation of and compliance with Decree 21 in 11 A&T provinces. Findings were used to provide recommendations for revision of the Decree. The study employed a desk review of legal documents and reports related to the enforcement of Decree 21 as well as a monitoring study that included health facility assessments and structured interviews with mothers of children under 6 months of age.