VSS Director General Nguyen The Manh presided over the event which witnessed the attendance of VSS Deputy Director General Dao Viet Anh and heads of relevant units.

International organisations represented included: Mr. Olivier Brochet, French Ambassador to Vietnam; Mr. Ishikawa Isamu, Deputy Ambassador of Japan to Vietnam; Mr. Chang Ho-Seung, Deputy Ambassador, Consul General of the Republic of Korea Embassy in Vietnam; Ms. Aler Grubbs, Country Director of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID); a delegation from the US Embassy in Vietnam; Dr. Angela Pratt, Representative of the World Health Organization (WHO) in Vietnam; and representatives from the US, French, South Korean, and Japanese embassies, the World Bank, and the WHO, among other organisations.

Director General Nguyen The Manh delivers a speech at the conference

In his opening remarks, VSS Director General Nguyen The Manh stated that the conference was organised to commemorate the 30th anniversary of the establishment of the Vietnam Social Security sector (1995-2025). The aim was to introduce and share with international partners and friends the achievements of VSS's development and international integration over the past 30 years, as well as to present the sector's future development orientation. It also aims to seek valuable advice and experience from international experts and organisations to further improve the institutional framework and enhance the capacity to implement Vietnam's social security and health insurance policies.

Outstanding achievements

It is projected that by the end of 2024, the number of social insurance participants will reach 20.03 million (an increase of 18.03 million compared to 1995), equivalent to 42.71% of the workforce, moving towards the target of 45% workforce participation by 2025. This includes 2.292 million voluntary social insurance participants, representing approximately 4.8% of the working-age population, achieved through persistent and continuous advocacy and promotion by VSS.

The number of unemployment insurance participants will reach 16.03 million, equivalent to 34.18% of the workforce (an increase of 10.04 million compared to 2009), essentially achieving the target of 35% workforce participation by 2025. Health insurance has seen significant breakthroughs, rising from 7.1 million participants (9.6% of the population) in 1995 to 13.03 million (16.5% of the population) in 2002. It is now nearing the goal of universal health insurance coverage, with 93.62 million participants in 2023 (an increase of over 80 million compared to 2002). By the end of 2024, it is projected to reach 95.43 million (94.2% of the population). Of this number, 48.171 million participants (approximately 47.5% of the population) are attributed to continuous and persistent advocacy and promotion by VSS.

 Leaders, representatives of international organisations attend the conference

VSS ensures benefits and resolves benefit entitlements for participants in social insurance (SI), unemployment insurance (UI), and health insurance (HI) with the fastest and most convenient administrative procedures. Each year, VSS processes over 12 million benefit claims for SI recipients. The number of people using HI for medical examination and treatment in 2024 is estimated at approximately 185 million (double that of 2009).

VSS is vigorously promoting digital transformation and administrative reform, proactively reviewing and minimising administrative procedures, simplifying and restructuring business processes to maximise convenience for citizens and businesses. Currently, approximately 621,000 organisations and businesses conduct electronic transactions with VSS through public service portals. 100% of citizens with a level 2 digital identity account can access the agency's online public services. 13,000 medical facilities are connected and interlinked with VSS for the payment of HI medical examination and treatment costs for over 170 million people annually.

Furthermore, leveraging its large, centralised, and regularly updated database, VSS is concentrating all necessary resources and conditions to resolutely implement strong digital transformation across all aspects of its operations, contributing to the best, fastest, and most convenient service for citizens and businesses. The resolute, synchronised, and comprehensive implementation of IT application solutions and digital transformation has brought about groundbreaking changes in the agency's operations, helping VSS maintain its ranking among the top five ministries and agencies leading in national digital transformation.

French Ambassador to Vietnam Olivier Brochet makes remarks at the conference

French Ambassador Olivier Brochet shared information about the cooperation between the French Embassy in Vietnam and other French agencies with the VSS in developing the social security system. This cooperation is based on shared values of expanding coverage, financial sustainability, and ensuring that all citizens have access to social security policies. He acknowledged Vietnam's rapid development but also its many challenges, including in the field of social security. Therefore, he stated that the workshop was an important opportunity to evaluate the cooperation between French agencies and VSS; and to determine the direction of future cooperation. The French Ambassador said that this cooperation will prioritise capacity building for human resources, innovation, and sustainable financial mechanisms through training, workshops, and specialised courses.

Mr. Chang Ho-Seung, Deputy Ambassador and Consul General of the Republic of Korea Embassy in Vietnam, congratulated the VSS on its outstanding achievements, including the signing and entry into force of the bilateral social security agreement between Vietnam and South Korea on January 1, 2024. This is something that workers in both countries have been eagerly awaiting, as it will enhance their benefits during their working period. Therefore, the Korean Embassy will continue to cooperate with the VSS to effectively implement this agreement.

Mr. Ishikawa Isamu, Deputy Ambassador of Japan to Vietnam noted that the achievements of the VSS are remarkable. He mentioned the large number of Japanese workers in Vietnam and Vietnamese workers in Japan and said that the two countries are actively working towards signing a bilateral social security agreement as soon as possible.

Dr. Angela Pratt, World Health Organization (WHO) Representative in Vietnam, acknowledged and highly appreciated the achievements of the VSS, particularly the highest ever coverage rate of health insurance, approaching universal coverage. Reaffirming her commitment to working alongside VSS, Dr. Angela Pratt stated that the WHO will continue to support VSS in improving the quality of health insurance-covered medical examination and treatment; and will also provide recommendations for VSS in its new development phase.

 Director General Nguyen The Manh presents certificates of merit to organisations and individuals who have made significant contributions to the development of Vietnam’s social security industry

VSS – a reliable partner and an active, responsible member

Expressing gratitude for the comments and assessments of international delegates and organisations, Director General Nguyen The Manh noted that the outstanding and impressive achievements of the VSS are the result of the continuous efforts and striving of the entire sector, persistently overcoming difficulties and challenges on its development path to fulfill its mission as a pillar of social security. These achievements have been recognised and highly valued by the Party, the State, all levels and sectors, businesses, people, and international friends, compared to the social security systems of countries with similar levels of development. The significant contribution of VSS's international cooperation and integration has played a crucial role in this overall success, gradually affirming the role, position, and image of the VSS as a reliable partner and an active, responsible member of the international social security community.

VSS leaders present the “For the cause of Vietnam’s social security industry” commemorative medals to individuals

The VSS outstanding achievements in international cooperation and integration include: (1) VSS has established bilateral cooperation relationships with nearly 50 international social security agencies and organisations from 25 countries worldwide. VSS has been the sole official representative of Vietnam in the ASEAN Social Security Association (ASSA) since 1999 and the International Social Security Association (ISSA) since 2015. (2) VSS actively participates in international forums and seminars to absorb knowledge and experience in international social security for Vietnam, while also sharing Vietnam's effective social security practices with the international community. (3) Hundreds of VSS officials have received professional training and language courses from various countries and international organisations. International resources, including financial and technical assistance, have been leveraged to enhance management capacity and social security cooperation through projects with international partners in New Zealand, the UK, Italy, Thailand, South Korea, and Japan, aiming to improve the quality of the sector's human resources to meet practical demands and international integration. (4) VSS organises numerous dialogue conferences and honours FDI enterprises to address difficulties and obstacles within its authority and to propose mechanisms and policies to foster consensus and engagement between FDI enterprises and VSS in implementing Vietnam's social insurance, unemployment insurance, and health insurance policies. (5) To ensure the rights of Vietnamese workers abroad, the Vietnamese Government signed the first bilateral agreement on social security with the South Korean Government and is preparing to sign agreements with several other countries. This opens up new opportunities for more substantial and effective cooperation between VSS and social security agencies of other countries worldwide.

Overview of the conference 

At the seminar, in recognition and appreciation of the significant contributions of international partners and individual leaders and experts from international organisations, the VSS Director General presented Certificates of Merit and “For the Cause of Vietnam Social Security” commemorative medals to organisations and individuals who have made significant contributions to the industry's development.

Director General Nguyen The Manh expresses his sincere gratitude and deep appreciation for the insightful ideas and promosing cooperation commitments put forth by the international organisations

In his closing remarks, Director General Nguyen The Manh expressed sincere gratitude and high appreciation for the valuable ideas and promising commitments to cooperation from international organisations across all priority areas of the sector.

“All of your valuable contributions will be carefully studied and seriously considered as we implement the Vietnam Social Security Development Strategy to 2030. We aim for effectiveness, relevance, and adaptability to the development of Vietnam and the world. With these clear and specific orientations, I have strong confidence in the prospects for continued growth and success in our cooperation. I hope that our international partners will remain close and trusted friends, continuing to accompany VSS on our journey to develop a sustainable social security system for  Vietnamese people,” he said./.