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The establishment of VSS marked an important milestone in the reform to streamline the organizational system for implementing social insurance and health insurance policies in a centralized and unified manner across the country.

Over the years, the organizational system of VSS has gradually been perfected in a flexible, effective, professional, and modern direction, reducing intermediaries and eliminating overlaps in functions and tasks. This aligns with the spirit of a “transparent, creative, and service-oriented government serving the people and businesses.” As a result, VSS has been able to implement its tasks effectively and complete the objectives set by the Government and the Prime Minister. This is reflected in various aspects, such as: achieving and exceeding targets outlined in the Party Central Committee’s Resolutions, the National Assembly’s resolutions, and the Government's instructions. By the end of 2024, over 20 million people are expected to be covered by social insurance (42.7% of the working-age population), with voluntary social insurance covering 2.3 million people (4.9% of the working-age population), and 94.1% of the population participating in health insurance. It is projected that the number of social insurance participants in 2025 will reach 21.343 million, or 45.1% of the working-age population, surpassing the goal set by the Party in Resolution No. 28-NQ/TW by about 0.1%.

Additionally, VSS has actively cooperated with relevant ministries and sectors to propose and recommend policy amendments on social, health  and unemployment insurance; continued to innovate, improve the quality and effectiveness of communication work in the new context; implemented comprehensive measures to expand participation, urge payment collection, reduce delayed payments, and ensure timely and complete settlement of social, health , and unemployment benefits; and rigorously addressed violations.

Particularly, VSS has strictly managed the payment of social  and unemployment insurancebenefits, continuously reviewing, reducing, and simplifying administrative procedures to ensure ease and convenience for citizens and businesses. It has also strengthened the organizational structure, applied IT, and promoted digital transformation in training and  building capacity to improve work efficiency and the quality of the workforce. Furthermore, VSS has intensified international cooperation and mobilized international resources, while recognizing and rewarding outstanding individuals and organizations, and taking strict actions against violations.

These notable achievements demonstrate the success of the organizational model transformation of social and health insurance policies in Vietnam over the past 30 years.

According to Minister Dung, the limitations and shortcomings in the development and implementation of social insurance policies were identified in Resolution No. 28-NQ/TW dated May 23, 2018, during the seventh meeting of the 12th Central Committee on social insurance policy reform. These included a legal framework for social insurance that had not kept pace with the country's socio-economic development, the aging population, and new labor relations. The expansion of social insurance coverage had not reached its full potential, with slow increases in coverage and a rapid rise in one-time social insurance withdrawals. Issues such as tax evasion, delayed payments, fraud, and exploitation of social insurance had not been fully addressed.

These challenges stem from various causes, with the primary ones being insufficient leadership and direction from some local authorities, low efficiency in state management, low legal compliance, and a lack of awareness among some employees and employers about the role and significance of social insurance. The effectiveness of monitoring and inspection in enforcing social insurance policies has been inadequate. Information, communication, and public awareness about social insurance policies have not been sufficiently reliable to attract workers' participation.

On June 29, 2024, at the 7th session of the 15th National Assembly, the amended Law on Social Insurance was passed with 454 out of 465 voting delegates in favor, accounting for 93.42% of total votes. This shows a high level of consensus in the National Assembly in institutionalizing the reform of social insurance policies outlined in the Central Party’s resolutions and implementing measures to expand social insurance coverage, moving towards universal social insurance. When the new law takes effect on July 1, 2025, it is expected to boost participation and benefits, affirming social insurance as a core pillar of the social security system.

The 2024 Social Insurance Law includes significant amendments to increase benefits and encourage workers to retain their contribution time for retirement benefits rather than withdrawing a lump-sum payment. Workers who continue contributing and do not select one-time payment will have access to higher benefits, such as better pension benefits, easier access to retirement conditions, health insurance coverage while receiving a pension, and monthly allowances for those not eligible for a pension yet. Furthermore, workers will have opportunities to access credit support for unemployment insurance.

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Currently, the Ministry of Labour, Invalids, and Social Affairs (MOLISA) has presented the draft amended law on Employment to the Government, which has been discussed by the National Assembly at its 8th session and is expected to be passed at the 9th session. The amended Law on Employment  is anticipated to bring policies to prevent and reduce job layoffs and support workers after job loss, improving unemployment insurance policy effectiveness.

After the passage of the amended Social Insurance Law, MOLISA has advised the Prime Minister to issue decisions regarding the implementation plan for the law, including assigning tasks to ministries and agencies for the development of detailed regulations. To ensure successful implementation of the new law, the following tasks need to be prioritized:

Urgently draft 11 Decrees and 3 Circulars to guide the implementation of the  Law on Social Insurance, as outlined in Decision No. 717/QD-TTg by the Prime Minister on July 27, 2024.

Launch information campaigns to raise awareness about the new law among workers and employers.

Strengthen inspections to enforce compliance with the social insurance law, clarifying penalties for delayed or evaded premiums payments.

Enhance the capacity of the Governing Body by issuing regulations on functions, tasks, and organizational structure.

Continue simplifying administrative procedures and enhancing the use of IT to facilitate worker and employer participation in social insurance.

Minister Dao Ngoc Dung acknowledged the efforts of VSS over the past 30 years in overcoming challenges to contribute to ensuring the country’s social security. The results, including expanded coverage and benefits for millions of citizens, have significantly contributed to socio-economic development, demonstrating the dedication and creativity of generations of social, health and unemployment participants."