ARI Working Paper Series

Worldwide, abortion is one of the most controversial issues in modern society. Since the early 1960s, abortion in Southern Viet Nam has been legal and available on request, reflecting the Government’s commitment to providing reproductive choice for women. Services have been made widely available and accessible to women. Both contraception and abortion services are widely available as an integrated part of the basic health care services provided by the public sector. In recent years, the Government of Viet Nam has approved a number of laws that regulate abortion in various ways such as the 1989 Law of People’s Health Protection, Decision No. 162 of the Council of Ministers in January 1989, and Decree No. 12/CP on the promulgation of Social Insurance Regulations. This paper aims to explore public attitudes and opinions in Vietnam about abortion.