Tho is a French Viet Kieu (overseas Vietnamese), who lives in Switzerland. He was director of the Gross National Happiness Program in Bhutan in 2012-2018 and head of the training division of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC).

He is well known among the international education community for the Eurasia fund which supports people under the Camphill model and the Happy School project in Vietnam.

Vietnam has improved its positions in the World Happiness Reports. What do you think are the reasons behind the improvement?

Vietnam’s improvement in the report comes from some factors, including considerable socio-economic development, improvements in healthcare and education services, as well as remarkable improvement in the sense of community and family values.

Also, Vietnam has made great effort preserving its cultural heritage.

In 2023, Vietnam jumped from 83rd to 79th in the World Happiness Report and it was No 1 in Southeast Asia. In 2024, Vietnam ranked 54th out of 143 surveyed countries/territories, but it was No 4 in Southeast Asia. It seems that while Vietnam was making great strides forwards, other regional countries even moved forward faster. Do you think so?

Vietnam’s gradual improvements and regional countries’ faster steps forward demonstrate the dynamic, multifaceted nature of happiness and development.

Vietnam’s approach to happiness focuses on improvements in socio-economic development and cultural characteristics. It shows another path to happiness. However, the values do not always fit the measurements used for the World Happiness Report.

Anyhow, I think Vietnam should think about if its conservation. and environmental rehabilitation could make sufficient progress in comparison with other Asian countries.

Vietnam has been fast in economic and technological growth. Rebuilding the country after tens of years of war is necessary and Vietnam’s development is really a miracle. However, it is now time to think of balancing economic development and environmental protection.

Could you please tell us about the importance of Gross National Happiness (GHN) in the era of integration and globalization?

GNH is becoming increasingly important as it is the replacement for GDP-centered growth models. Many countries have begun integrating the measurement about happiness and welfare into their process of policymaking and budget allocation.

By emphasizing prosperity and comprehensive sustainability, GNH can improve national competitiveness by promoting a happier and more sustainable society. GNH also attracts global partnerships, sustainable investment. and the international community’s interest and support for sustainable and fair development.

What are the criteria for GNH?

GNH covers nine areas, including psychological health; health; education; time usage’ cultural diversification and cultural recovery capability; administration; community vitality; ecological diversity and living standards.

These areas provide a comprehensive framework for assessing and promoting individual and societal well-being, with emphasis on balancing external structural and systemic conditions to create a favorable development environment, together with “happiness skills” or internal conditions that support physical and mental health.

Let’s talk about the story about Vietnam Gross National Happiness; what are the best points of Vietnam?

Vietnam’s commitments to strong economic development, ensuring social justice and efforts to preserve culture. In addition, the good points are the country’s efforts in hunger elimination and poverty reduction, education universalization, health care, cultural heritage conservation and promotion.

I met some businesspeople who are very open in applying GNH in their enterprises. The Ministry of Education and Training has pledged to deploy the ‘happy school’ vision, for the sake of Vietnam’s education.

How do you see a happy Vietnam in the future?

A happy Vietnam is a society where all individuals feel respected, connected and associated with the community. This is a country whose economic development is not exchanged by environmental sustainability or cultural nature.

In society, happiness and welfare will also be considered as indexes as important as economic and GDP indexes.

We will educate and nurture compassionate, mindful citizens who are well prepared to face the challenges of the 21st century. 

I have some recommendations about this. It is necessary to promote cooperation between the government, private sector and public to implement projects inspired by GNH.

Vietnam should establish a center specializing in studying and researching GNH and related areas. In addition, Vietnam should promote international exchanges and cooperation to learn and contribute to the global discourse on happiness and prosperity. 

Binh Minh