VietNamNet Bridge – The gender imbalance among infants is still high in the capital, according to the city's Population and Family Planning Unit. There are now 120 baby boys for every 100 girls, 1.5 times last year's ratio.

Newborns at the National Obstetrics Hospital in Ha Noi. The gender imbalance among infants is still high in the capital, according to the city's Population and Family Planning Unit.

The rate is especially high in suburban districts such as Dan Phuong, Phuc Tho, Soc Son, Hoai Duc, My Duc, Phu Xuyen, Son Tay and Ba Vi.

In many communes, people try hard to select the gender of babies, resulting in a significant gender imbalance. In some communes, 21 out of 25 women giving birth to their third babies have a baby boy.

In Dan Phuong District, the rate is 139 baby boys to 100 girls. In Phuc Tho District, it is 134 to 100.

"This shows that the belief that having a son is necessary remains deeply rooted in Vietnamese society," said Nguyen Dinh Lan, deputy head of Ha Noi's Population and Family Planning Unit. "Thus, changing people's behaviour is quite difficult."

He added that the city's Department of Health planned to increase communication efforts to change people's mindset about gender selection and family planning. Also, the Population and Family Planning Unit would strictly fine Party members or public employees who violated family planning regulations.

VNS/VNN