Attending the conference at the VSS headquarters were: Former Minister of Finance and former Chair of the VSS Board of Commissioners, Ho Te; Former Deputy Chair of the VSS Board of Commissioners, Nguyen Van Cuong; and representatives from the Ministry of National Defence's Social Security and the People's Public Security's Social Security.

On the VSS side, attendees included Secretary of the VSS Party Committee and Director General, Nguyen The Manh; Former Deputy Minister and Director General, Nguyen Thi Minh; Deputy Directors General, former Deputy Directors General, and multiple generations of officials, civil servants, and employees.

At the VSS offices in various localities, there were: leaders and former leaders of VSS offices in provinces and cities directly under the Central Government; professional department representatives; and leaders and former leaders of VSS offices at the district level, along with relevant departments and staff.

 VSS Director General Nguyen The Manh delivers opening remarks

In his opening remarks, Director General Nguyen The Manh emphasised the significance of this event for generations of leaders, civil servants, public employees, and workers across the entire industry. He highlighted the opportunity to reflect on their collective journey, take pride in their achievements, and further motivate the cause of social security.

The conference serves as a platform to express gratitude and appreciation for the leadership and direction provided by Party and State leaders, the close and effective cooperation of ministries, departments, central and local branches, and international organizations with the sector, as well as the contributions of generations of cadres, civil servants, public employees, and employees of VSS. These individuals have played a pivotal role in the construction and development of the Vietnam social security industry.

This event is recognised as a broad and in-depth political activity, aimed at continuing the effective implementation of social insurance and health insurance policies. It is built on the foundation of promoting the tradition and legacy of generations within the social security industry, embodying the spirit of "unity, discipline, responsibility, and enthusiasm," and "working together with one heart and one mind" to overcome all difficulties and challenges. The goal is to successfully complete all social security tasks assigned by the Party, State, and People in the coming journey, contributing to ushering Vietnam into a new era of nation’s rise.

"On behalf of the Party Committee and leaders of VSS, I would like to warmly welcome and sincerely thank the leaders, former leaders of the VSS Board of Commissioners, VSS, and all civil servants, public employees, and workers within the Vietnam social security industry, as well as the Ministry of National Defence’s Social Security, and the People's Public Security’s Social Security," said Director General Manh.

 A large number of officials, public employees and workers of Vietnam social security industry attend the conference at the VSS headquarters.

On this occasion, delegates reflected on the 30-year journey of building and developing the Vietnam social security industry. On February 16, 1995, the Government issued Decree 19/CP, officially establishing Vietnam Social Security. Subsequently, on January 24, 2002, the then Prime Minister issued Decision No 20/2002/QD-TTg, which transferred Vietnam Social Health Insurance to Vietnam Social Security.

These foundational documents laid the groundwork for the unified organisation and implementation of social security and health insurance policies in our country and have been integral to the development of the Vietnam social security industry.

Over the past 30 years of establishment and development, Vietnam Social Security (VSS) has consistently followed the leadership and direction of the Party, National Assembly, and Government. VSS has closely and regularly coordinated with ministries, central departments, branches, and local Party committees and authorities in the building, deployment, and organisation of social security, unemployment insurance, and health insurance policies. The industry has excelled in all aspects of its work and has successfully met the targets and tasks assigned by the Party, State, and people, with the following highlights:

First, VSS has made significant strides in enhancing the policy and legal framework for social insurance, unemployment insurance, and health insurance. These efforts have created favorable conditions for individuals and laborers to participate, expanded the scope of benefits, and ensured the full rights of participants.

Second, the number of social insurance participants has grown sustainably and rapidly over the years, increasing 8.9 times since 1995 and now encompassing 42.71 per cent of the workforce within the working age. Health insurance participation has also surged, nearing universal coverage with a 13.4-fold increase since 1995, now covering more than 94.2 per cent of the population.

Third, VSS directly administers social insurance and health insurance benefits on a large scale, serving approximately 100 million people. This includes over 94.2 per cent of the population who benefit from health insurance. Each year, VSS manages and disburses benefits to over 3.3 million pension recipients and monthly social insurance allowance beneficiaries, over 15.6 million individuals receiving lump-sum social insurance benefits, sickness, maternity, and health rehabilitation benefits, unemployment insurance benefits, and provides health insurance-based medical examination and treatment services to nearly 200 million people.

Fourth, in 2024, VSS was one of the seven agencies to fully complete the plan to simplify administrative procedures and citizen documentation. It ranked 3rd among ministries and sectors in the index of serving people and businesses, thanks to its efforts in administrative procedure reform, information technology application, and digital transformation.

 Former Deputy Minister, former Director General of VSS Nguyen Thi Minh delivers a speech at the conference

Addressing the conference, former Deputy Minister and Director General of VSS Nguyen Thi Minh expressed her pride in the sector's outstanding achievements over the past 30 years. In particular, she highlighted the health insurance coverage rate of over 94 per cent of the population—an extremely impressive figure that has made a significant contribution to protecting and caring for people's health, earning high praise from the international community. Additionally, the number of people participating in voluntary social insurance now reaches nearly 5 per cent of the labour force within working age. This result, which was hard to imagine five years ago, exceeds the goal set by Resolution No 28-NQ/TW of the Central Committee.

"These figures, along with many other impressive achievements of the sector, demonstrate the continuous efforts of all officials, civil servants, public employees, and workers throughout the sector. Looking back at the journey from the early days until now, we have the right to be proud of the sector's contributions to the country's social security system," said Minh. She believed that these accomplishments would serve as the foundation and motivation for the industry to continue striving, overcoming difficulties and challenges, and creating breakthrough developments in the next stage.

General Director Nguyen The Manh stated that in the coming time, Vietnam, in addition to opportunities and advantages, will continue to face many interwoven difficulties and challenges that will directly affect the industry. In that context, the sector will continue to promote the traditions and legacy of previous generations, embodying the spirit of "unity, discipline, responsibility, and enthusiasm," and "working together with one heart and one mind" to overcome all difficulties and challenges, strive for innovation, and successfully complete all tasks assigned by the Party, the State, and the People, confidently stepping into a new era with the entire country.

 General Director Nguyen The Manh presents flowers and gifts to former leaders of VSS Board of Commissioners, VSS.

The Vietnam Social Security Industry is committed to driving the country into a new era of innovation, modernization, and breakthrough development by focusing on the following key tasks and solutions:

First, continue to follow the leadership and direction of the Party, the National Assembly, the Government, and relevant agencies; adhere to the goals and plans outlined in the Strategy for the Development of the Vietnam Social Security Industry until 2030; proactively coordinate closely and effectively with ministries, branches, local Party committees, local authorities, and relevant agencies; and promote the tradition and strength of the entire sector, overcome all difficulties and challenges, and successfully complete all assigned tasks.

Second, strive to achieve universal Social Insurance and Health Insurance coverage, as targeted in the Party's Resolutions.

Third, ensure the safe, sustainable, and effective management of funds; optimise funds to guarantee full benefits for participants; serve people and businesses with the most reformed, simplified, and fastest procedures; implement strong administrative reforms and digital transformation, using the sector's big data as the foundation for management; and facilitate regular 24/7 interaction and transactions with people, businesses, and relevant agencies.

Fourth, promote communication in a rich, flexible, and diverse manner; stay closely connected to grassroots levels and practical developments; and ensure that people understand, trust, and actively participate in social insurance and health insurance policies.

Fifth, implement the Resolutions of the Party Central Committee and the Steering Committee for streamlining the apparatus at all levels; streamline, consolidate, and modernize the organizational structure; build a professional and modern workforce that meets the requirements of the task; and serve people and businesses to the best of our abilities.

At the conference, the achievements of the Vietnam social security industry over 30 years were acknowledged and commended. The President and the Prime Minister awarded various classes of Labor Orders and Certificates of Merit to numerous collectives and individuals, recognising their leadership and service as public servants throughout different periods.

Some images feature the awards ceremony:

Illustrative images (VSS)