Fig. 2

Timeline showing a series of laws, policies and programs introduced in Vietnam (1986–2010). Dark green - macroeconomic policies, light green - public policies, light grey - social policies, dark grey - two study years analysed. a. Political and economic reform [15]. b. Couples were encouraged to have maximum two children, by delaying childbearing or spacing births [34]. c. Nation-wide mandatory health insurance scheme covering the formally employed, civil servants, staff of international representative organisations, pensioners and people with disabilities [35]. d. National Strategy to reduce the total fertility rate [34]. e. Two-child policy introduced, but not legislated [34]. f. Households gained the right to transfer, exchange, inherit, rent and mortgage their land [36]. g. Program to reduce the proportion of poor households and eliminate chronic hunger [37]. h. Program for socioeconomic development targeted at ethnic minorities and people living in mountainous or remote areas [37]. i. Individuals were permitted to set up and run a business without major input from the government [15]. j. Program to reduce poverty, improve access to basic infrastructure, and reduce the unemployment rate [37]. k. Fund that supports access to health care for people in the lowest socioeconomic positions and ethnic minorities [35]. l. Population ordinance allowing people to decide the number of children that they have, birth timing and spacing [34]. m. Mandate that the certificate of land use lists the names of both the husband and wife [38]. n. Program to reduce poverty, improve access to basic infrastructure, and reduce the unemployment rate [39]. o. Law that defines and promotes gender equality, acknowledges the responsibilities of agencies and considers violations [40]. p. Law that makes domestic violence a crime, outlines the duties required to prevent and control domestic violence and protect victims, and outlines the consequences for domestic violence perpetrators [40]. q. Vietnam welcomed into the World Trade Organization [15]. r. Two-child policy re-introduced [34]. s. Health insurance made compulsory for children under six, the poor and near-poor, and the elderly [35]