Joining forces to support elderly people

More resources from the community

At 90, Do Thi Hoi, who lives on Dao Nhuan Street in Le Chan Ward, shares a home with her son, who has a disability, while her daughters live far away. Their livelihood depends mainly on her husband's survivor benefits of more than VND 3 million and a disability allowance of more than VND 1 million for her son.

At a ceremony in Hai Phong launching Vietnam's Action Month for Elderly People on October 1, Hoi received a free eye examination and gifts from Central and city authorities worth a total of VND 4 million. For her, this support represents not only material assistance but also emotional encouragement, reflecting the care and concern of local authorities and the community for older adults.

According to Pham Thi Vuong, Chairwoman of the Le Chan Ward Association of Elderly People, 65 older adults facing difficult circumstances received gifts worth VND 300,000 each during this year's Action Month for Elderly People. Funding was raised through social contributions mobilized by older persons' groups in residential neighborhoods.

The Tu Ky Commune Association of Elderly People has stepped up outreach to help residents better understand the purpose and significance of the Fund for the Care of Elderly People and Promotion of Their Role. Fundraising efforts target different groups, including retirees, officials, civil servants, workers, businesses and households, with contribution levels tailored to each group's financial circumstances.

A key factor in sustaining the fund is ensuring that its resources are used for their intended purposes and managed openly and transparently, thereby building trust among contributing organizations and individuals. The fund supports longevity celebrations, helps older adults in difficult circumstances, and organizes cultural and sporting activities on holidays, New Year and throughout the Action Month for Elderly People. By the end of June 2026, the fund in Tu Ky Commune had a balance of more than VND 152 million.

Addressing obstacles

Vietnam is experiencing rapid population aging. Older adults are projected to account for 17 – 18% of the national population by 2030 and approximately 20% by 2038. In Hai Phong, people aged 60 and older account for more than 15% of the city's population.

As the older population grows, demand for health care, social assistance and activities supporting emotional well-being also increases. With limited public funding, mobilizing social contributions has become an important way to supplement resources for caring for older adults and promoting their role in society.

By the end of 2025, the city's Fund for the Care of Elderly People and Promotion of Their Role held more than VND 17.68 billion, averaging over VND 155 million per commune, ward or special zone. By the end of June 2026, local associations of elderly people had managed and developed membership funds, with a combined balance of more than VND 137.19 billion.

Pham Quang San, Member of the Standing Committee and Standing Member of the Hai Phong Association of Elderly People, said the city association had guided grassroots associations to assess local conditions and proactively report to and propose that Party committees, authorities and Vietnam Fatherland Front committees at the commune level organize fundraising campaigns to build the Fund for the Care of Elderly People and Promotion of Their Role.

The organization and operation of these funds are currently governed by the Government’s Decree No. 03/2026/ND-CP dated January 9, 2026. However, some provisions concerning fund establishment procedures and assets contributed to establish funds remain difficult to apply in local circumstances.

The Hai Phong Association of Elderly People has asked the Vietnam Association of Elderly People to propose that relevant ministries and agencies review, amend and improve the regulations to make them more practical, facilitating the establishment of funds and fundraising efforts at the local level.

TU ANH