The poverty standard in Ho Chi Minh City during the period of 2009-2015 is expected to equal to the one set by World Bank ($2 per head per day).

At the end of 2008, there were essentially no more impoverished family under the poverty standard of VND6 million ($316) per person per year.

Early in 2009, the city decided to set a new poverty standard at an income of VND12 million ($632) per person per year in the inner city and VND10 million ($526) per person per year outside the city.

However, according to the new poverty standard recently issued by the People’s Committee of Ho Chi Minh City, those who have an average income of under VND12 million ($632) per year are considered impoverished whether they live inside the city or out. Thus, there will be 200,000 disadvantaged families in the whole city.

Meanwhile, the national poverty standard applied during the period of 2006 to 2010 is income ranging from VND200,000 ($10.3) to VND260,000 ($13.4) per person per month.

The Ministry of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs issued a drafted decision of a new poverty standard applied during the period of 2011 to 2015 making the poverty line an income of VND350,000 ($18) per person per month outside the city and VND450,000 ($23.2) per person per month inside.