Addressing the meeting, Deputy Minister of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs Le Tan Dung said as of 2019, Việt Nam was home to 11.4 million old people, accounting for 12 per cent of the population. More than 1.9 million people are over 80 years old and around 7.3 million people live in rural areas.

Also, in 2019, the Government earmarked more than VND17.5 trillion to implement social support policies, including providing monthly allowances and health insurance cards for 1.7 million elderly people, bringing the total number of health insurance card holders to over 11.313 million, accounting for 99 per cent of the total number of elderly people. Besides, over 1.4 million people got revolutionary subsidies and more than 3.1 million others got pension and social insurance benefits. 

Many localities provided free-of-charge medical check-ups and medicine for elderly people who have healthcare insurance. 

However, the living conditions of many elderly people remain difficult, with the rate of poor households higher than the national average and the rate of social subsidies low. Infrastructure at facilities supporting elderly people is limited and human resources for tasks relating to elderly people remains ineffective.

Deputy Prime Minister Vu Duc Dam spoke highly of efforts of the National Committee on Vietnamese Old Persons and relevant ministries, agencies and localities in providing good care for elderly people.

He urged ministries, sectors and localities to continue promoting the role of elderly people and war veterans in supervising and consulting on the implementation of policies and guidelines of authorities at all levels, particularly programmes relating to economic benefits that need to be transparent and open.

They were also instructed to take measures to tackle difficulties relating to the establishment and use of funds and mobilise social participation in taking care of elderly people and promoting their role; and coordinating with the Vietnam Social Security to build the most practical mobilisation programme to contribute to taking care of elderly people and ensuring sustainable social security./.