A 15-year journey of the campaign “Building the Families of 5 Without-s & 3 Clean-s”

From pilot model to nationwide movement

Initiated in 2010, the campaign evolved from the model of “5 Without-s & 3 Clean-s” family clubs into a nationwide movement, integrated into the Resolutions of recent National Women’s Congresses and the Government’s National Target Program on New Rural Development in the 2016-2020 period.

For the 2021-2025 period, it has added a new goal: Preserving and promoting the good traditions and core values of Vietnamese families.

Over 15 years, the VWU has issued 46 guiding documents, 21 recommendations, and 96 relevant projects, ensuring consistent implementation nationwide. All provincial Women’s Unions have linked the campaign with major women’s emulation movements, embedding gender equality goals into rural development efforts.

The campaign improves women’s material and spiritual life.

Marks of Change

The campaign’s simple but practical standards (5 Without-s: without poverty, violation of law and social evils, domestic violence, violation of population policies, and having malnourished and school drop-out children; 3 Clean-s: clean house, kitchen and surrounding streets) have gradually shaped daily habits.

Communication campaigns are strengthened at all levels of the VWU.

A key success factor has been strong communication efforts combining traditional and digital tools. Communication methods have been modernized through digital platforms and social media, helping raise awareness and inspire active participation among women.

Remarkable achievements

Without poverty: VWU manages VND 180 trillion in social policy loans for 2.8 million households; helps 210,250 households escape poverty, supports over 57,000 women-led start-ups, assists to create jobs for nearly 3,000 women and establish hundreds of cooperatives.

Without violence or law violations: From 2022–2025, VWU at all levels have built 2,312 “trusted addresses,” with over 1,100 domestic violence survivors and 751 victims of human trafficking, handled nearly 3,000 women’s and children’s rights violations, and established more than 18,000 happy family clubs and 5,134 “5 Without-s, 3 Clean-s” family clubs.

3 Clean-s: More than 10,000 environmental protection models were launched nationwide, including 27,000 km of flower-lined roads. Women contributed 5.6 million m² of land and millions of working days to rural development through initiatives such as “Flower Roads,” “4 Clean-s Homes,” and “Turning Trash into Cash.”

The VWU at all levels support women in economic development.

From "5 Without-s & 3 Clean-s" to "5 With-s & 3 Clean-s"

New models expanded across communities

In the new phase, the VWU is promoting the model “Families of 5 With-s & 3 Clean-s” in advanced rural communes, shifting from addressing shortages to ensuring sustainable well-being. The 5 with-s are:  with safe house, with sustainable livelihood, with good health, with knowledge, with civilized lifestyle.

After three years of implementation, over 26,000 “5 With-s & 3 Clean-s” families nationwide lay the foundation for the VWU’s transition from the “5 Without-s & 3 Clean-s” to “5 With-s & 3 Clean-s” campaign in the 2026-2035 period.

Accompanying sustainable development

The VWU has evolved from a supportive to a leading role in community development. The campaign has been linked with the emulation movement “Building Vietnamese Women of the New Era”, VWU’s programs and projects, and national rural development programs.

The VWU at all levels have diversified funding sources, from the government, enterprises, and communities, to ensure sustainability. They have also proposed gender equality and environmental protection policies, leaving visible marks across the countryside, from flower-lined roads to cooperative businesses and social enterprises led by women.

Spreading positive influence within the community

The “5 Without-s & 3 Clean-s” campaign contributes to uplifting families, beautifying villages, and realizing the aspiration of prosperous, civilized rural communities.