In 2022, Vietnam’s social insurance sector continued to carry out its mission amid numerous difficulties and challenges due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and policy changes. These factors affected approximately 4.9 million people who were no longer eligible for health insurance (HI) support compared to the end of 2021. In response, following the core principle of "placing people and businesses at the center of service," Vietnam Social Insurance (VSI) closely coordinated with ministries, sectors, and localities to flexibly implement various solutions.

According to VSI’s report, the coverage of social insurance (SI), health insurance (HI), and unemployment insurance (UI) continued to expand, exceeding the targets set by the Government’s Resolution No. 01/NQ-CP. Approximately 91.1 million people participated in HI, reaching a coverage rate of 92.04% of the population—an increase of over 2.2 million people compared to 2021. This was one of the seven socio-economic targets assigned by the National Assembly and the Government that surpassed the planned objectives.

Among these, around 17.5 million people participated in SI, accounting for 38.08% of the working-age labor force, while approximately 14.3 million people participated in UI, reaching 31.18% of the working-age labor force. The expansion of SI and HI coverage means the social security net has widened, providing benefits to tens of millions of people. This achievement is of great significance and serves as a foundation for achieving universal SI and HI coverage.

Furthermore, the rights of those participating in and benefiting from SI, HI, and UI policies were fully and promptly ensured.

In 2022, VSI processed over 95,600 new benefit applications and timely disbursed pensions and monthly SI allowances to 3.3 million beneficiaries. Nearly 11 million cases received benefits for sickness, maternity, and convalescence; more than 977,600 people received UI benefits; and 151.4 million instances of HI benefits were recorded. The total disbursement to beneficiaries reached VND 382 trillion. Notably, 61% of beneficiaries in urban areas received payments via personal bank accounts, surpassing the Prime Minister’s target set in Decision No. 1813/QĐ-TTg by three years.

VSI also actively collaborated with the health sector to propose and implement measures to address challenges and ensure timely funding for medical facilities providing HI-covered services.

Based on proposals from the Ministry of Health and VSI, the Government issued Resolution No. 144 to ensure the supply of medicines, medical equipment, and the settlement of HI-covered medical expenses. Thanks to proactive efforts, many issues related to HI payment procedures were promptly resolved. This decisive action facilitated the provision of healthcare services, ensured the best possible benefits for HI participants, and improved the efficiency of HI fund management and utilization.

Additionally, VSI proactively advised and proposed to the National Assembly and the Government various support measures for workers and employers affected by COVID-19. It mobilized all available resources and leveraged existing data to conduct extensive communication campaigns, ensuring the timely disbursement of support packages from SI and UI funds. This brought the total support amount to over VND 47.2 trillion, accounting for 45.2% of the Government’s total COVID-19 relief packages. Notably, 99.3% of beneficiaries received support via bank transfers.

In times of hardship, the swift and accurate delivery of financial aid directly to beneficiaries played a crucial role in stabilizing workers' livelihoods and aiding businesses in resuming production and operations. This reaffirmed the pivotal role of SI and HI policies as key pillars of the national social security system.