A Yardstick for Policy Effectiveness

According to VSS, to date, 34 out of 34 provinces and cities have consolidated their Steering Committees for the Implementation of SI and HI policies. Most localities have integrated targets for increasing the number of participants into the Resolutions of the People’s Councils or the assignment decisions of the People’s Committees. Notably, many localities have proactively increased the support levels for voluntary SI and HI premiums beyond the general national regulations, focusing on the informal sector, farmers, low-income earners, and the elderly who do not yet have a pension.

VSS is conducting a communication outreach on SI and HI policies for local residents.

According to management officials, this represents a significant shift in policy mindset: moving from "compliance with regulations" to "proactive investment in welfare," viewing social security as the bedrock of social stability and a safeguard for citizens against escalating risks. In 2025, although natural disasters and floods severely impacted livelihoods—especially for informal workers, agricultural laborers, and migrant workers—the mobilization of voluntary SI and the maintenance of HI coverage faced numerous challenges.

However, social security targets continued to be met and exceeded. In 2025, the estimated SI coverage reached 45.1% of the working-age labor force, of which compulsory SI accounted for approximately 38.6% and voluntary SI accounted for 6.5%. UI coverage stood at 35.07%. Most notably, HI coverage reached 95.16% of the population, approaching the goal of Universal Health Coverage (UHC). These figures not only reflect the efforts of the VSS sector but also demonstrate the growing public trust in social security policies, particularly as risks regarding health, employment, and income become more prevalent.

Alongside expanding coverage, the disbursement of benefits for SI, HI, and UI has been executed fully, promptly, and in accordance with regulations. In 2025, VSS organized the payment of pensions and monthly SI benefits for over 3.5 million people. It processed monthly pensions and SI benefits for 186,119 individuals, as well as lump-sum SI payouts for over one million people. Notably, the number of people opting for lump-sum SI withdrawals decreased by more than 26% compared to the previous year.

These results indicate that the social security net is expanding in both breadth and depth, not only increasing the number of participants but also contributing to the sustainability and stability of the SI Funds.

Social Security as Investment for Sustainable Development

In the healthcare sector, the country recorded 195.5 million outpatient and inpatient visits covered by HI, with total requested costs of approximately 161,628 billion VND, a sharp increase from 2024. These figures prove that HI continues to be a vital "financial shield" for citizens during illness. Practical experience at many medical facilities shows that HI not only supports common ailments but increasingly serves as a financial safeguard for severe cases, chronic diseases, and long-term treatments with high costs—cases where, without HI, patients could easily fall into economic exhaustion.

Dispensing medicines to patients with HI cards in Hanoi.

According to the Ministry of Health (MOH), expanding HI coverage must go hand-in-hand with improving the quality of medical examination and treatment services. Consequently, the MOH has collaborated closely with VSS to refine policies, reform administrative procedures, and apply Information Technology (IT) in HI management, ensuring seamless data integration from central to grassroots levels.

Ms. Tran Thi Trang, Director of the Health Insurance Department (MOH), emphasized that HI is not merely a financial tool but a solution to ensure equity in healthcare. The health sector's goal is to ensure that HI participants enjoy increasingly better services, especially at grassroots medical facilities and in remote areas. Therefore, in 2026, the MOH will continue to prioritize enhancing the quality of HI-covered services and reducing the gap between different levels of the healthcare system. Simultaneously, it will work with VSS to review and update the List of Medicines and Technical Services covered by HI, aligning them with medical advancements and the HI Fund's balancing capacity.

VSS reports that cases with treatment costs reaching hundreds of millions or even billions of VND covered by the HI fund serve as clear evidence of the policy’s role in risk-sharing and mutual support. This represents the profound humanitarian significance of HI.

Ensuring social security is a persistent and long-term mission. Every policy and reform implemented aims to provide citizens with a solid pillar of support, protecting them against life's risks. In 2026, VSS will continue to accelerate comprehensive digital transformation, simplify procedures, and improve service quality while ensuring strict and transparent management of the SI, HI, and UI funds. Social security is not just an expenditure; it is an investment in sustainable development…