Vietnam has set a target to provide health insurance for 95% of senior citizens by 2025, under a national action plan for the period of 2021-2030.

The coverage is expected to reach 100% by 2030.

During the period of 2022-2025, Vietnam aims to have at least 90% of the elderly covered with primary healthcare services and regular medical check-ups.

The country also wishes to ensure proper care for all senior citizens suffering from severe mental illnesses, with the goal that no elderly person has to live in temporary shelters or dilapidated houses.

Senior citizens receive healthcare at a hospital in Hanoi. Photo: Hien Minh

The State will provide primary health care and regular check-up to the elderly, make health records for senior citizens at the communal level with priority given to those aged 80 and above. Medical services will be provided at home for those who are unable to go to health care facilities.

Besides, during the period of 2026-2030, all senior citizens in Vietnam will have access to necessary health care services when they are sick.

Under the action plan, Vietnam also aims to provide jobs for 50% of senior citizens who are capable of working after retirement and still want to work by 2025 and 70% by 2030. 

For realizing the goals, the action plan outlines 12 major tasks, including developing a network of social support facilities to provide care for the elderly and giving them vocational training and housing.

The national action program on the elderly in the 2021-2030 period also targets enhancing the physical and mental health of senior citizens, improving their standard of living and promoting their role and experience in social activities.

In recent years, ensuring livelihood and encouraging startup among the elderly has become an urgent issue, especially when Vietnam enters the population aging period and suffers from the impacts of Covid-19, with a view to ensuring their right to work and make contributions to society.

Currently, one-third of the elderly in Vietnam is joining the labor market. Besides those who work in the agricultural sector in rural areas, many others in urban areas continue to work in numerous sectors such as economy, culture, education, health care, defense, science and technology.

Vietnam has over 11.4 million senior citizens, with about 9.7 million being members of the Vietnam Association of the Elderly. It is predicted that in the next decade, the elderly will account for 17% of the Vietnamese population. The figure is predicted to reach 20% in 2038 and 25% in 2050.