The VSS has made efforts to serve people and ensure social security

Developing organisational apparatus towards streamlining, efficiency and consolidation

On February 16, 1995, the Government issued Decree No. 19-CP to establish the VSS by merging social security organisations at the central and local levels, managed by the labour, invalids, and social affairs sector, and the Vietnam Labour Confederation. The establishment of VSS marked a significant milestone in organisational streamlining and the unified implementation of social insurance policies nationwide.

The VSS organisational system includes three levels: Central, provincial and district levels.

Throughout each period, the organisational structure has progressively solidified to prioritise flexibility, efficiency, professionalism, modernisation, and streamlined processes. This has minimised redundancy in functions and tasks, aligning with the Government’s commitment to integrity, innovation, action, and serving the needs of the people and businesses.

These changes have fostered favourable conditions for the sector to effectively fulfill the tasks assigned by the Government and the Prime Minister.

Throughout its construction and development, the VSS has consistently garnered significant attention from the Politburo and the Party Central Committee Secretariat. This attention has been manifested through directives and resolutions, such as Politburo’s Resolution No 21-NQ/TW dated November 22, 2012, which focused on strengthening the Party's leadership for social insurance and health insurance during the 2012 – 2020 period. Additionally, Resolution No 28-NQ/TW dated May 23, 2018, stemming from the 7th Conference of the 12th Party Central Committee, addressed social insurance policy reform.

These directives serve as crucial guidelines, establishing the foundation for the sustainable development of the social insurance and health insurance systems at large, with a specific focus on the VSS.

​Social security network expanded

The VSS has consistently pursued the goal of ensuring universal health and social insurance coverage. In recent years, the participation in social insurance, health insurance, and unemployment insurance has continued to increase, particularly among vulnerable groups.

Notably, the proportion of insurance participants has shown sustainable growth, surpassing the targets set by the Party and the Government.

The current number of social insurance participants stands at 18.26 million people, representing 39.25 per cent of the labour force in the age group.

Of these participants, 1.83 million are voluntary insurance participants, constituting 3.92 per cent of the labour force in the age group. This represents a 305-fold increase compared to 2008, the year the social health insurance policy was launched.

The number of unemployment insurance participants has grown from 6 million people in 2009 to approximately 14.7 million people, marking an increase of nearly 2.5 times.

The number of health insurance participants has skyrocketed from 7.1 million people in 1995 to over 93.3 million people, representing an increase of 13.1 times. This has resulted in a coverage rate of 93.35 per cent of the population, essentially meeting the goal of universal health insurance.

Thanks to the participation of the entire political system and solidarity, efforts, and high determination of the VSS’s employees, the number of people participating in social insurance and health insurance has kept increasing every year

Extensive coverage of social insurance, health insurance, and unemployment insurance has contributed to expanding the social security network to all people and employees, and firmly consolidating the country's social security system.

Rights of social, health and unemployment insurance participants guaranteed in accordance with laws

Rights of insurance participants are always ensured in accordance with laws

From 1995 to 2023, more than 144.8 million people enjoyed sickness, maternity, convalescence, and health recovery benefits.

From 2010 to 2022, almost 9.7 million people enjoyed unemployment benefits.

Total number of people enjoying monthly pensions, social insurance allowance has reached 3.3 million.

From 2003 to 2023, the industry has collaborated with medical facilities to secure health insurance benefits for over 2.5 million people. This effort has also addressed the shortage of drugs and medical supplies, covered medical expenses under health insurance, and facilitated favourable conditions for medical facilities to serve patients with health insurance coverage.

Notably, during the COVID-19 pandemic, which significantly impacted local livelihoods from 2020 to 2022, the VSS worked with relevant ministries and sectors to provide consultations to the Party, State, Government, and Prime Minister. This collaboration resulted in the issuance of numerous mechanisms and policies aimed at supporting businesses and employees facing difficulties.

​The VSS mobilised all available resources to promptly launch support packages from social insurance and unemployment insurance funds for beneficiaries, based on the available data sources. This effort supported tens of millions of workers in overcoming difficulties, stabilising their lives, and restoring production and business.
These actions demonstrate that in any circumstance, the VSS always prioritises putting the rights of insurance participants and beneficiaries at the center.

The welfare benefits of participants and beneficiaries are always guaranteed promptly and in accordance with regulations, consolidating public trust in the social security policies of the Party and State.

Improving service quality to meet public satisfaction

In recent years, the VSS has mobilised all resources and implemented drastic measures to streamline administrative procedures, promote the application of information technology, and drive digital transformation, with the aim of creating maximum convenience for organisations and individuals to benefit from policies.

These efforts have been recognised and appreciated by the Government, businesses, and the public.

IT application and digital transformation have strengthened community trust in security policies of our Party and State

The number of administrative procedures related to social insurance and health insurance regimes and policies has been slashed from 263 in 2009 to 25. Among those, 100 per cent are provided online at level 4. Online transactions with organisations and individuals are available in all professional fields.

Almost all activities of the VSS and participants have been performed online.

The VSS has been recognised as one of the leading Government’s agencies in digital transformation by implementing Project No 6.

In 2023, the system authenticated over 95 million demographic information in the database managed by the VSS (of which more than 86.6 million people are participating in social insurance, health insurance, and unemployment insurance) with the National Population Database.

Nearly 13,000 medical examination and treatment facilities provided medical examination and treatment with health insurance using chip-based citizen IDs.

VssID app has so far had 35 million users to manage and control the insurance participation and policy beneficiary process.

In order to improve service quality, the VSS has intensified inspections and cracked down on violations on insurance regulations as well as managed the use of health and social insurance funds.

The sector has also improved capacity of employees and extended international cooperation with partners.

Since 1995, thanks to the efforts of generations of employees, the VSS has strived to overcome all challenges and achieved various important results. Its reputation has been bolstered not only within the political system but also among the general public and business community.

Looking ahead, in order to achieve social and health insurance objectives, particularly the universal coverage goal, the VSS will persist in implementing comprehensive solutions to guarantee social security and stabilise people's lives, marking a notable milestone for its 30-year anniversary in 2025./.