The conference was co-chaired by Mr. Nguyen Xuan Dinh, Vice Chairman of the Central Executive Committee of the Vietnam Farmers' Union, and Mr Dao Viet Anh, Deputy Director of Vietnam Social Security.

In his opening remarks, Mr. Dao Viet Anh emphasized that Si and HI are key social security policies of the Party and the State, holding practical significance for the citizen—particularly for those in the agricultural and rural sectors. Given that farmers' incomes remain highly dependent on seasonal cycles, weather conditions, and market fluctuations, participating in Si and HI helps them access healthcare, mitigate life's risks, and ensure social security for their retirement years.

Assessing the outcomes of the collaboration during the 2022–2025 period, Mr. Dao Viet Anh acknowledged the proactive approach and sense of responsibility demonstrated by the Farmers' Union at all levels and the social security offices in promoting, advocating for, and implementing these policies. For the 2026–2031 period, the objective is to further leverage the strengths of both systems and innovate their coordination methods. Emphasis should be placed on enrolling new participants while ensuring the sustainability of existing participation—particularly for those who have ceased contributions or are at risk of experiencing interruptions in their social and health insurance coverage.

Collaborative efforts contribute to expanding the coverage of social and health insurance in rural areas

At the conference, the Vietnam Farmers' Union representative presented a summary of the results achieved in implementing the 2022–2025 cooperation agreement between the two organizations (established on July 14, 2022). All 34 provinces and cities nationwide have signed regulations, programs, or coordination plans between the Farmers' Union and the social security offices at the corresponding level.

During the 2022–2025 period, Farmers' Union at all levels mobilized over 700,000 people to participate in voluntary SI and more than 11.3 million people to join HI. Furthermore, they encouraged organizations and individuals to provide nearly 32,000 HI cards to Union members and farmers in difficult circumstances.

Numerous practical initiatives have been implemented at the local level, including "Farmers’ Clubs for Retirement Planning" in Ha Tinh; "Piggy Bank Savings for Voluntary Social Insurance and Health Insurance" in Can Tho; as well as "Farmers’ Savings for Voluntary Social Insurance," "Support and Provision of Health Insurance Cards for Low-Income or Disadvantaged Farmers," "Social Security Orange Orchards," and "Social Security Villages/Wards/Communes" in Phu Tho. In Nghe An, collaborative efforts have led to the establishment of 94 pilot models to expand participation, with a long-term goal of creating "model villages" where 100% of residents are covered by HI. These initiatives help diversify outreach methods, foster a spirit of mutual community support, and enable farmers to access and maintain their participation in social security schemes.

However, the implementation process has also revealed certain challenges and limitations. In some areas, advocacy and communication strategies lack flexibility and are not sufficiently tailored to specific target groups; furthermore, some grassroots-level association staff possess limited skills in consulting and communication. The sharing of data and the scaling up of successful models remain inconsistent and fragmented. Additionally, in some localities, efforts to enroll new participants have not been effectively integrated with strategies to ensure their long-term, sustained engagement.

These difficulties stem, in part, from the specific realities of farmers' lives, characterized by low and unstable incomes, as well as vulnerability to natural disasters, disease outbreaks, climate change, and market price fluctuations. Therefore, for policies to be sustainably effective, an appropriate approach is required—one that emphasizes direct consultation and assists individuals in choosing how to participate in and maintain their insurance contributions, based on their actual circumstances.

The outcomes achieved during the recent period serve as a foundation for both organizations to further refine  their coordination mechanism and leverage the role of the Union in encouraging its members and farmers to participate in voluntary SI and household-based HI, with the aim of safeguarding the legitimate and lawful rights of the participants. 

Discussing solutions to innovate coordination methods for the 2026–2031 period

At the conference, Vietnam Social Security (VSS) representative presented a draft agreement on the coordination of work between the Vietnam Farmers' Union and VSS for the 2026–2031 period. The draft has been developed by building upon and supplementing the existing regulations for the 2022–2025 period, while also incorporating practical requirements and new legal provisions.

Contributing to the draft, representatives from VSS and Farmers' Associations in provinces and cities—including Nghe An, Phu Tho, Hanoi, and Can Tho—focused on exchanging insights and sharing practical local experiences. They analyzed the challenges encountered in outreach, advocacy, and the expansion of participant enrollment, while proposing solutions to enhance the quality of collaboration between the two organizations.

Opinions expressed at the conference also emphasized the need to concretize coordination efforts based on the principle of "six clarities," ensuring alignment with the organizational structure and practical conditions following the reorganization of administrative units. Specifically, it is essential to clearly define points of contact, responsibilities, tasks, timelines, and expected outcomes; enhance information sharing; synchronize member data; and promote the use of technology for outreach and support for participants.

Drawing on local experience, the delegates proposed diversifying communication methods by combining digital platforms with face-to-face dialogue, while leveraging the roles of professional associations, cooperatives, and influential community figures. In addition to enrolling new participants, efforts should focus on providing guidance and support to those who have stopped contributing, encouraging them to resume participation and thereby minimizing interruptions in their social and health insurance coverage.

Continuing to innovate and enhance the effectiveness of cooperation, with a focus on sustainable social security for farmers

In his closing remarks, Mr. Nguyen Xuan Dinh, Vice Chairman of the Central Executive Committee of the Vietnam Farmers' Union, noted that the contributions presented during the meeting clarified both the achievements and the shortcomings encountered in implementing the cooperation agreement for the 2022–2025 period, while also proposing numerous practical solutions for the phase ahead.

Moving forward, the Vietnam Farmers' Union and VSS need to continue improving the quality of policy advocacy and consultation; leverage the role of the Union’s grassroots-level units; review and cross-reference member data to accurately identify target groups for outreach; replicate effective models; and mobilize social resources to support disadvantaged farmers and Union members in participating in voluntary SI and household-based HI.

Mr. Nguyen Xuan Dinh also requested that both sides continue to coordinate on finalizing the draft agreement for the 2026–2031 period, ensuring it remains aligned with the guidelines of the Party and the policies and laws of the State, while also reflecting the practical realities of the organizational structure and the requirements for expanding the coverage of social security.

The signing of the cooperation agreement for the 2026–2031 period will provide a foundation for the Vietnam Farmers' Union and VSS to strengthen their collaboration in a synchronized and substantive manner. By harnessing the respective strengths of each organization, this partnership contribute to expanding the coverage of SI and HI, thereby ensuring social security for the Union members and farmers in the coming time./.