Paving ways for egg freezing: an unconventional solution for future family planning in Vietnam

This research paper delves into the erratically ageing demographic structure of Vietnam, with a particular focus on Ho Chi Minh City to explore the solutions to the low fertility rates in this region. Specifically, the study brings forth a nuanced interaction between fertility, population policies, and the motherhood wage penalty. The study investigates the role of risk aversion, regarding career security, on women's willingness to adopt (WTA) social egg freezing (SEF) as a family planning option. Through anonymous crosssectional surveys conducted amongst Ho Chi Minh City women aged 22 to 38, the study unveils a high level of awareness and openness toward SEF. Nominal and ordered logistic regression analyses further establish a positive correlation between risk aversion in career aspects and the inclination to adopt SEF both in general circumstances and in the hypothetical case of unattainable natural pregnancy. The findings contribute to the literature by providing insights into urban women's perceptions of family planning programs in Vietnam, applying risk aversion to non-financial behaviour, and expanding awareness of SEF beyond Western contexts. The paper concludes by discussing policy implications and suggesting avenues for future research.