On March 18, 2016, with the approval of the Ministry of Health and the support of the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF), the Institute of Nutrition organized a workshop on "Report on the mid-term review results of the National Nutrition Strategy 2011-2015 and orientation of the Nutrition Action Plan 2016-2020".

The workshop was attended by more than 70 delegates representing the Government Office, the National Assembly Office, the Ethnic Minorities Committee, Departments and Bureaus under the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, the Ministry of Labor - Invalids and Social Affairs, the Ministry of Planning and Investment, the Ministry of Education and Training, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, representatives of United Nations organizations (UNICEF, WORLD BANK, WHO, FAO, UN), non-governmental organizations (Alive and Thrive, World Vision, Helen Keller International, Health Bridge, Irish Aid), other relevant associations (Vietnam Nutrition Association, Vietnam Women's Union, Vietnam Farmers' Union), Hanoi Medical University, Preventive Medicine Centers of some provinces.

Professor Gary Gleason, an expert from UNICEF International, conducted an independent assessment and drafted a mid-term review report on the National Nutrition Strategy for the 2011-2015 period. The report pointed out the results achieved compared to the goals of the National Nutrition Strategy over the past 5 years. Most of the goals of the National Nutrition Strategy for the 2011-2015 period have been achieved and exceeded. The rate of malnutrition (underweight) in children under 5 years old has decreased relatively rapidly and continuously. Vietnam is the only country in the region that has continuously achieved a reduction in malnutrition from 1.8 to 2% per year, contributing to the achievement of the Millennium Development Goal (MDG) on reducing the rate of malnutrition in children by 2015. The rate of stunting in children under 5 years old remains high, although it has decreased from 29.3% (2010) to 24.9% (2014). In addition, experts have pointed out subjective and objective causes and limitations that have led to some targets and goals not being achieved. In particular, factors affecting nutritional status and nutrition work include climate change, globalization, urbanization, population, and reduction in international support. In the process of implementing nutrition-related activities to serve the Strategy's objectives, there is a lack of inter-sectoral coordination, no Central Steering Committee, lack of resource investment for some solutions, some action programs lack integration, and implementation is not effective. Delegates contributed and shared useful comments for the Mid-term Review Report of the National Nutrition Strategy. At the same time, discussion groups also discussed the orientation for developing the Nutrition Action Plan for the period 2016-2020.

Through the opinions and suggestions of ministries, state organizations and international organizations, the Institute of Nutrition, as the focal point under the direction of the Ministry of Health, plans to complete the detailed Mid-term Assessment Report for the period 2011-2020 and the Nutrition Action Plan 2016-2020 to complete the targets and objectives set out in the National Strategy on Nutrition 2011-2020 with a vision to 2030.