HANOI – In a stunning revelation from the 2025 World Happiness Report, Vietnam has claimed its title as the second happiest nation in Southeast Asia, trailing only Singapore.

This report is a beacon of positive news, as it also notes Vietnam’s impressive leap from 54th to 46th position globally in just two years.

According to the Vietnam News Agency (VNA), Vietnam is among the top gainers in this year’s happiness rankings, joining other notable countries like China, Mongolia, and the Philippines in the Asian region who also demonstrated similar advancements.

For the eighth consecutive year, Finland has been recognized as the happiest nation on earth.

The Nordic countries continue to dominate the top ranks, with Denmark, Iceland, and Sweden following closely behind. European nations generally excelled in the report, filling most of the top 20 positions.

Remarkably, this year marks a historic moment for Central American nations.

As Costa Rica and Mexico make their first appearances in the top 10, landing in sixth and tenth place respectively. Meanwhile, the United States saw a worrisome drop to its lowest-ever happiness ranking at 24th, underscoring a significant societal shift with a reported 53% rise in the number of Americans dining alone over the last two decades.

At the other end of the spectrum, Afghanistan remains the least happy country globally.

Followed by Sierra Leone and Lebanon.

These rankings come from a comprehensive study.

Based on self-assessed life satisfaction of residents, conducted by the Wellbeing Research Centre at the University of Oxford in collaboration with Gallup, the UN Sustainable Development Solutions Network, and an independent editorial board.

Jon Clifton, CEO of Gallup, highlighted that the essence of happiness transcends mere financial wealth.

"Happiness isn't just about wealth or growth - it's about trust, connection and knowing people have your back," he stated, urging for a focus on building community.

Factors significantly influencing happiness were identified in the report.

Including health, wealth, trusted social connections, and even the simple act of sharing meals. Astonishingly, trust in others’ kindness was strongly correlated with an individual's overall happiness—those who believe a lost wallet would be returned reported higher life satisfaction.

Yet, caution is advised.

The report reveals a troubling trend: 19% of young people around the world in 2023 reported having no one to rely on for social support.

This represents a staggering 39% increase since 2006, emphasizing the urgent need for strengthened community bonds.

Vietnam's rising happiness ranking stands as a hopeful testimony.

To the potential transformations achievable through collective trust and social connections. As the world continues to navigate through challenges, this report reminds us all of the fundamental elements that contribute to genuine happiness.