Current practices and effectiveness of sex education programs in Hanoi's public schools

Abstract

This report investigates Hanoi’s current sex education practices and proposes solutions to implement comprehensive sex education into the national curriculum. Findings from surveys and interviews indicate that Vietnamese sex education policies, particularly in Hanoi, primarily follow an abstinence-only approach, heavily emphasize theoretical content, and prove ineffective in improving students' knowledge, skills, and attitudes. Three potential solutions have been proposed to address these issues. First, sex education should be integrated into the curriculum from kindergarten through all grade levels, ensuring age-appropriate content that adheres to standardized and official guidelines. Second, teachers require training with specialized materials and expert-led workshops. Third, students require a supportive and open environment to discuss sex, sexuality, and gender both at school and at home.