A: Hey there! Guess what? Vietnam's changing something big!
B: Oh really? What's up?

A: They've done away with their two-child policy! Can you believe it? It's been around for a while, trying to control the population size.
B: Wow, that's quite a shift! Why did they change it now?

A: Well, birth rates are dropping, and they're worried about future economic growth.
B: I see. So they want more kids, but not too many, right?

A: Exactly! And it's not just Vietnam. Other parts of Southeast Asia are seeing a decline in birth rates too.
B: Hmm, that could be because of social empowerment of women and the rising cost of raising children, right?

A: Absolutely! They're trying to balance population growth with economic development. Interesting times ahead for Vietnam!
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Vietnam has abolished its two-child policy, a long-standing regulation meant to keep a lid on population size. The change has been spurred by falling birth rates, a trend that has raised concerns about future economic growth.



A state-run media report said the National Assembly had passed the amendments on Tuesday. The old ordinance limited families to no more than two children.



Vietnam's population is still on the rise, but birth rates are declining in Ho Chi Minh City and other urban areas. Experts project the working population will peak around 2040. Policymakers are concerned an ageing society will put future economic growth at risk.



A similar decline in birth rates is happening in other parts of Southeast Asia. Social empowerment of women is one reason that's often cited, along with the rising cost of raising children as economies develop.