Vietnam 2026: knowledge and behaviors about microbiota
The survey was conducted by Ipsos among 7,500 people in 11 countries (France, Portugal, Poland, Finland, Italy, Germany, United States, Mexico, Brazil China, and Vietnam).
Vietnam and microbiota: a global reference of awareness, understanding, and action.
Summarizing Vietnam's results in the survey
In 2026, Vietnam consolidates its position as the benchmark country of the International Microbiota Observatory. Across every single indicator measured, awareness, understanding, behavioral change, HCP education, women’s health : Vietnam either leads or comes close to leading. This is the outcome of a healthcare system that treats microbiota education as a clinical priority, and a population that has absorbed that message into its daily health practices. In Vietnam, the data tells a consistent story: where HCPs educate, people act.
1. Vietnam leads the world on microbiota awareness
In 2026, Vietnamese survey participants show the highest level of microbiota awareness across all surveyed countries.
93% of Vietnamese respondents have heard of the microbiota, the highest rate globally, 21 points above the global average of 72%. But what truly sets Vietnam apart is not the volume of this awareness: it is its breadth and its depth. Vietnamese respondents are familiar with every microbiota type measured in the study at rates that no other country matches. And 40% know exactly what the microbiota is: nearly double the global average of 24%.
of Vietnamese people have already heard of the term microbiota
(vs. 72% globally)
of them know exactly what microbiota is
(vs. 24% globally)
a majority of them are are aware of the gut microbiota
(vs. 63% globally)
Awareness that extends to every microbiota
Vietnam leads across all seven specific microbiota types measured in the study:
- 85% of respondents are aware of the oral microbiota (vs. 52% globally);
- 84% claimed to know the skin microbiota (vs. 50% globally);
- 81% said they knew of the vaginal microbiota (vs. 51% globally);
- 81% also declared to be aware of the ENT microbiota (vs. 45% globally);
- 78% are aware of the urinary microbiota (vs. 46% globally);
- 76% know the lung microbiota (vs. 44% globally).
Learn all about microbiota
Learn moreUnderstanding that reflects genuine knowledge
Vietnamese awareness is not superficial. On the specific knowledge tests, Vietnam shows above-average accuracy:
- 82% of the respondents know diet has significant consequences on microbiota balance;
- 72% correctly link IBS, obesity, and vaginosis to the microbiota;
- 65% know the gut communicates essential information to the brain;
- Only 42% don't know that the microbiota is not located exclusively in the gut, one of the lowest rates globally (vs. 51%).
Some gaps remain even in Vietnam, confirming that the most complex disease links are a challenge everywhere:
Vietnam demonstrates that awareness and accuracy can be built together, when HCPs lead the education.
2. Behavioral changes embedded in daily microbiota-friendly habits
In 2026, 85% of Vietnamese respondents have changed their habits to protect their microbiota, 2 points above the global average of 53%, and the highest rate of any country in the study. Behind that number is a shift in daily practice that no other country in the study has matched.
of Vietnamese changed behaviors to protect their microbiota
(vs. 53% globally)
of them consume probiotics at least monthly
(vs. 42% globally)
of them consume prebiotics at least monthly
(vs. 38% globally)
A consistent behavioral profile
Vietnam’s behavioral excellence is not limited to supplementation. It extends across every measured habit:
4 in 5 engage in physical activity at least weekly, 65% do not smoke, and 77% consider their gut microbiota to be well balanced.
Also, 3 in 4 of respondents consume fermented foods at least weekly (vs. 67% globally), and 44% eat multiple fruits and vegetables daily, above the global average (40%).
One area of nuance: showering frequency
One behavioral figure stands out as an exception to Vietnam’s otherwise strong profile. A significant proportion of Vietnamese respondents (79%), particularly women, report showering multiple times per day. Excessive showering can disrupt the skin microbiota.
This is a common pattern in Southeast Asian countries and may benefit from targeted, culturally appropriate education around skin microbiota protection.
3. Vietnamese HCPs are the most active educators on microbiota
The explanation for Vietnam’s exceptional profile across awareness, understanding, and behavioral change lies here: Vietnamese healthcare professionals are the most consistently active educators on microbiota of all 11 countries surveyed. On every single measure of HCP-transmitted education, Vietnam leads globally and often by a wide margin.
of Vietnamese respondents trust HCPs as one of their primary sources
(vs. 94% globally)
of them received an explanation of what the microbiota is
(vs. 39% globally)
half of them received all key information from their HCP
(vs. 23% globally)
What Vietnamese HCPs cover in consultations
Vietnamese healthcare professionals address microbiota topics comprehensively, covering every dimension measured in the study:
3 in 4 of patients were educated on the importance of preserving microbiota balance and received guidance on behaviors to adopt (vs. 43% globally), with 82% being prescribed probiotics or prebiotics (vs. 51% globally).
What is the difference between prebiotics, probiotics and postbiotics?
Find out more...The antibiotic prescription: a fully activated opportunity
Vietnam stands out on antibiotic-related microbiota education, where it leads all countries in the study:
- 68% of respondents were told by their HCP antibiotics could negatively affect their microbiota balance, the highest globally (vs. 39%);
- 2 in 3 were told about digestive disorders associated with antibiotics (vs. 45% globally);
- 66% received advice from their HCP on limiting the negative consequences on the microbiota (vs. 36% globally);
- Half received all key antibiotic-related microbiota information, the highest globally (vs. 25%).
Vietnam demonstrates that when HCPs are activated as microbiota educators, not just prescribers, behavioral change follows at scale. The 32-point gap in behavioral change between Vietnam and the global average is explained, in large part, by the quality and consistency of what HCPs say during the consultation.
Antibiotics: what impact on the microbiota and on our health?
Learn more
4. The first 1,000 days: a concept largely known among Vietnamese parents
Vietnam leads all countries on first 1,000 days awareness: 70% of Vietnamese parents and pregnant women have heard of the concept (vs. 43% globally), and 1 in 4 know exactly what it means (vs. 15% globally).
Pediatric HCPs in Vietnam are the most active in the study: 51% of parents received all key information on the concept from their pediatrician (vs. 31% globally).
of Vietnamese parents/pregnant women are aware of the first 1,000 days concept
(vs. 43% globally)
of them claimed to know exactly what it means
(vs. 15% globally)
About half said to have received information on early microbiota development by an HCP
(vs. 31% globally)
Some microbiota information could still be better relayed by HCPs in Vietnam
13% of parents know that the baby's microbiota does not start developing inside the mother's womb; (vs. 11% globally) — a gap that persists even in Vietnam, confirming this is the most universally unknown fact in the study.
Additionally, 54% don't know that the gut microbiota does not become adult-like before age 5, better than the global average of 71%.
Finally, only 40% know that pet exposure during early life influences the gut microbiota (vs. 38% globally).
Vietnam is the only country in the 2026 Observatory where all three pillars of microbiota health, awareness, understanding, and action, are simultaneously strong.
Methodology
This fourth edition of the International Microbiota Observatory was conducted by Ipsos among 7,500 individuals in 11 countries (France, Portugal, Poland, Finland, Italy, Germany, USA, Brazil, Mexico, China, Vietnam), between February 3rd and March 13th, 2026. Samples are representative of the population aged 18 and over, via quota sampling (gender, age, region, socio-professional category). Statistical significance is calculated at a 95% confidence level. The survey lasted ten minutes.
The questionnaire covered: microbiota awareness and knowledge; information received from HCPs; behaviors; women's knowledge of the vaginal microbiota; parental knowledge of the first 1,000 days; and health data.
