Lunar Calendar Influences Vietnamese Birth Rate and Sex Preference

Although national data shows that fertility level has been continuing decline in Vietnam, the official report of Vietnamese General Office of Population and Family Planning found that the evidences for increasing baby born in the year 2012 has no doubt roused reproductive proclivities. The lunar calendar is regularly used in many Asian Countries, including Vietnam, Singapore, Malaysia, China, Japan and Korea. Traditionally, Vietnamese believe in the zodiac promotes the superstition that the timing of one's birth determines one's fate. 2012 is a special Dragon year of in the 60-year cycle of Vietnamese lunar calendar, regarding luckiest time to have a child. The dragon is the symbol of royalty, and people expect that a child born in this year will grow up to be extremely lucky, talented, and be a powerful leader. Cultural belief affects significantly demographic outcomes, and suggests that cultural reform or popular education by government should play an important role for population policymakers. And the lunar calendar should be regard as a proximately determinant on fertility in Vietnam.