he HI card has become a vital pillar of social protection, helping ease the financial burden of medical expenses, strengthening patients' confidence, and preserving hope for millions of families.

The support throughout the journey of battling disease

In many localities, ordinary yet deeply moving life stories have clearly demonstrated the profound humanitarian value of the HI policy. One such story is the persistent journey of Mrs. Vu Thi Ngan, residing in Nguyen Uy ward (Ninh Binh province), to battle her illness. For many years, complications from diabetes, progressing to kidney failure, heart disease, and eye problems, severely weakened her health, requiring frequent long-term treatment at medical facilities.

In these circumstances, her HI card became a "lifeline," enabling her to maintain a chance at survival. In 2025 alone, her total medical examination and treatment costs amounted to approximately 300 million VND, with the HI fund covering 240 million VND. The remaining cost, while still a burden, was significantly reduced, preventing her family from falling into destitution. "Without HI card, my family could hardly have persevered until today," said Mrs. Ngan.

In Da Nang city, the story of Mr. Tran Van Hoi's family (born in 1969, residing in Quang Phu ward) also offers much to ponder. In early 2026, he was unexpectedly diagnosed with immune thrombocytopenic purpura in a critical condition and had to be transferred for treatment at Da Nang Hospital. After multiple treatment courses, the total cost exceeded 326 million VND, with the HI fund covering over 260 million VND.

This timely support helped his family alleviate financial pressure during their most difficult time. From these realities, not only has his family's trust in the HI  policy deepened, but they have also proactively enrolled in voluntary SI to ensure long-term social security. Having gone through these adversities, Mr. Tran Van Hoi shared, "Without HI cards, my family truly wouldn't know how to manage."

In the Mekong Delta region, the story of Mr. Phan Van D. (58 years old, Dong Thap province) further highlights the practical significance of continuous HI  participation. Mr. D., who had been conscientiously participating in HI for many years, found his HI card expired on September 5, 2025, at a time when his family was facing significant economic difficulties. He had to scramble and borrow money to renew his card by September 7. Just two days later, he suddenly suffered a ischemic stroke in a critical condition and had to be admitted to the hospital for emergency treatment. According to his family, without the HI card, the initial emergency costs of 9 to 10 million Vietnamese dong would have been a substantial financial burden. Thanks to the timely coordination of the local social security office in verifying and activating the card's validity on the day of admission, the entire treatment cost was covered by the HI fund.

This reality demonstrates the practical value of the HI policy in supporting people against unexpected medical risks. Concurrently, the responsible attitude and dedication of the Staff of local Social security offices contributed to promptly protecting the rights of participants, giving the patient a chance for treatment, and reducing the financial burden on the family.

Such stories occur daily at healthcare facilities nationwide, continuing to affirm that HI is not only a tool for covering examination and treatment costs but also a social security Pillar, contributing to the stability of people's lives.

A Social security Shield Backed by Convincing Figures

From an overall perspective, health insurance is increasingly affirming its role as a crucial pillar of the social security system. This policy is built on the principle of risk sharing, where the majority supports the minority, contributing to the realization of universal healthcare coverage.

Statistical data clearly demonstrates the growing scale and effectiveness of the health insurance fund. During the period 2016-2024, the country recorded over 1.48 billion medical examination and treatment visits covered by the fund, totaling more than 915 trillion VND. In 2025 alone, there were over 195 million visits, with payments exceeding 166 trillion VND.

In the first six months of 2026, healthcare visits reached approximately 93.7 million, with total expenditures over 84,600 billion VND, a significant increase compared to the same period last year. These figures reflect the rising demand for healthcare and highlight the state's strong commitment to ensuring medical benefits for its citizens.

Notably, from 2020 to 2025, over 41,000 cases had their treatment costs covered by HI fund, ranging from 500 million VND to over 2 billion VND, with total payments from the HI fund exceeding 33,000 billion VND. These are cases of severe illnesses with high treatment costs; without HI, many families would struggle to afford them.

This reality shows that HI effectively acts as a financial shield, protecting individuals from the risks of illness. Beyond reducing cost burdens, the policy also helps prevent people from falling back into poverty due to medical expenses, thereby ensuring social stability.

HI is not merely an individual benefit but also a community responsibility. Participating in HI is a proactive measure for individuals and families to protect themselves against unpredictable risks, while also contributing to the common fund to assist those less fortunate. The small HI card carries immense significance, helping to preserve smiles, provide motivation for life, and nurture hope for millions of families in Viet Nam.

On the journey towards achieving universal healthcare coverage, HI policy will continue to be a steadfast support, helping people overcome difficulties towards a safe, stable, and sustainable life.