Deputy Prime Minister Tran Hong Ha stated that over the past years, the Government has always attached much importance to ensuring social security of, caring for and bringing into full play the role of the elderly, considering them as one of the major tasks and solutions in implementing socio-economic development plans.

Deputy Prime Minister Tran Hong Ha chairs the 18th working session of the Vietnam National Committee on Ageing

In the first six months of 2023, the Vietnam Association of the Elderly co-operated with ministries, sectors and localities to successfully carry out certain tasks.

Besides, the Ministry of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs is ramping up reviews to recommend considerable guidelines in social policies for the elderly. On one hand, the move promotes the role, importance, and contributions of the elderly to the national construction and protection cause; on the other hand, it proactively forecasts the situation, proposing strategic visions on care for the elderly.

Illustrative image (internet)

Regarding the care of and promoting the role of the older people, the Deputy Prime Minister said as Viet Nam has entered the period of an ageing society, it is essential to quickly form key policies on social security, insurance and healthcare, among others. Concurrently, he said, the world is at a historic, landmark moment to transition to a new development stage, in which Viet Nam is also overcoming challenges whilst utilising new opportunities.

Deputy Prime Minister Tran Hong Ha requested the Ministry of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs to quickly review, build database, and accurately upgrade data on existing elder people, their living conditions, the number of beneficiaries of social regimes and policies, and so on, based on which to determine the demand for care resources. Also, it is necessary to study issues related to the elderly in countries with an ageing to withdraw lessons of experience that is appropriate with Viet Nam’s socio-economic conditions.

The Vietnam Association of the Elderly, Ministry of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs take the lead and co-ordinate with ministries and sectors to study and assess the actual situation and put forward forecasts on aging population, estimating its impacts on the socio, economic and political areas; to accurately, fully and timely advise the competent authorities.

“This is a real challenging matter, the golden population has ended whilst the country is experiencing a fast aging rate, therefore, we need to have compatible policies to care for and promote the role of the elderly,” said the Deputy Prime Minister, stressing the need to build a national strategy on the elderly, and to study the revision of the Law on the Elderly.

A general view of the working session

Agreeing with opinions raised, the Deputy PM said the organisation apparatuses of the elderly associations at all levels should be unified and synchronous from the Central to grassroots levels, with a variety of mechanisms and forms of operation, ensuring suitable benefits for key staff working in the associations; developing elderly unions within religious organisations, and in areas home to ethnic groups to uphold the role of religious dignitaries and prestigious people.

Regarding some specific issues, the Deputy PM requested the Ministry of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs, Ministry of Health, Vietnam Social Security, and localities to have plans for financial assistance, ensuring all senior citizens are covered by health insurance.