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| In Bao Lac commune, Cao Bang province__Photo:Chu Hieu/VNA |
Cao Bang province had recorded only 16 cases of child marriage in the first nine months of 2026, reflecting a sharp, encouraging decline driven by local authorities’ initiatives and efforts, according to a report of the Cao Bang Department of Ethnic and Religious Affairs.
As revealed in the report, the province maintained zero emerging cases of consanguineous marriage from 2021 through September 2026. During the first nine months of 2026, the department organised eight legal knowledge contests titled "Ring the Golden Bell" across ethnic boarding and semi-boarding schools, drawing 1,758 students. In addition, billboards disseminating information on the reduction of child and consanguineous marriages were installed in 12 boarding and semi-boarding schools identified with high rates of child marriage.
While the province has successfully eliminated consanguineous marriages, authorities emphasise that sustained educational outreach, law enforcement and behavioural shifts are still urgently required to eradicate child marriage completely, particularly in deep-lying areas facing extreme socio-economic difficulties.
Authorities also warn that a reduction in numbers does not mean complete eradication of child marriage. The situation still carries a risk of recurring in remote, deep-lying areas where socio-economic conditions remain difficult, access to information is restricted, and traditional customary practices continue to influence marital decisions.
Recognising that legal frameworks are necessary but changes in public awareness about prevention of child marriage at the grassroots level are decisive, the department in August promulgated a plan on reduction of child and consanguineous marriages in ethnic minority and mountainous areas, which is expected to systematically reshape marital behaviour across ethnic minority communities.
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| At a legal knowledge contest titled "Ring the Golden Bell"__ Photo: https://dantocphattrien.vietnamnet.vn/ |
According to the department’s Director Nong The Phuc, alongside stepping up communication efforts, the province will organise legal knowledge contests focusing on marriage and family, gender equality and the prevention of child and consanguineous marriage.
These initiatives build directly on the successes of earlier efforts. Prior to the rollout of the national target programme on socio-economic development in ethnic minority and mountainous areas, Cao Bang province had implemented a scheme to reduce child and consanguineous marriages in ethnic minority areas.
Specifically, local authorities organised more than 2,500 direct outreach sessions in villages, engaging more than 31,000 turns of participants, helping detect and promptly prevent potential cases of child marriage. Competent authorities also worked with schools to host “Say No to Child Marriage” extra-curricular sessions for pupils. This is expected to make adult marriage a voluntary choice among young people, thus facilitating their study and future career development.- (VLLF)
