Vietnamese women are 156.2 cm tall on average.

Young Vietnamese men are 3.7 cm taller than they were ten years ago. Women are 2.6 cm taller.

Dr. Truong Hong Son shared these numbers at a conference. He said Vietnamese people are shorter than those in Singapore, Malaysia, and Thailand.

Ten years ago, Vietnam was one of the shortest countries in the region.

Some schoolboys in Hanoi finished a high school exam in May 2026.

The survey numbers match what other international studies have found.

Vietnam is 153rd out of 201 countries for height, according to a global database.

This database used information from 2,181 studies with 65 million people. It was published in 2020.

The global average height for men is about 171 cm. Vietnamese men are 3 cm shorter.

Dr. Son said Vietnamese people are getting taller, but very slowly. The country still has one of the shortest average heights.

The problem is due to poor nutrition, living conditions, and not enough physical activity.

Genetics, nutrition, physical activity, and sleep are key to determining height. School age is important for growth.

During school age, nutrition should help children grow, not just fill them up.

Currently, school meals focus on food safety.

School meals should be designed to help children grow and develop.

Another expert said students' diets should be carefully planned with the right amounts of energy, protein, and other nutrients.

Menus should have essential amino acids and a balance of animal and plant protein.

Nutrition education and physical activity should be part of school programs.

Improving school meals is important for building a healthier generation of students.