Improving the quality of health care and social security for the elderly
On the occasion of the 85th anniversary of the Traditional Day of the Elderly in Vietnam (June 6, 1941 - June 6, 2026), on the afternoon of June 5, at the Presidential Palace, General Secretary and President To Lam met with 85 typical elderly people nationwide in patriotic emulation movements in the period 2021 - 2026.
Also attending were Politburo Member, Secretary of the Party Central Committee, Chairman of the Central Committee of the Vietnam Fatherland Front Bui Thi Minh Hoai; members of the Party Central Committee, leaders of the Government, National Assembly, leaders of a number of ministries, departments, and central agencies.
In a solemn, warm and meaningful atmosphere, speaking at the meeting, General Secretary and President To Lam emphasized that the values that make up the strength of a nation are not only in economic potential, population size or scientific and technological level, but also in the depth of culture, in family, clan, village customs, in the succession between generations and in the way society cherishes and cares for predecessors. For the Vietnamese nation, the elderly always hold a special position in that value system.
General Secretary and President said that our country is entering a new stage of development with great aspirations. In that process, the work of the elderly needs to be viewed with a new mindset and longer-term vision; it is necessary to strongly shift the mindset from simple care to care associated with promoting the role of the elderly; from considering the elderly as the main beneficiaries of policies to considering the elderly as the subjects participating in development; from passive support to creating conditions for the elderly to continue to live happily, healthily, safely, usefully and contribute appropriately to their health, capacity, experience, and aspirations.
The General Secretary and President requested to improve the quality of health care, social security and services for the elderly; to pay more attention to elderly people in difficult circumstances, single people, people in remote and isolated areas, ethnic minority areas; not to let elderly people lack care conditions or be left behind in the country's development process.
The Vietnam Association of the Elderly continues to innovate the content and methods of operation in a practical direction, close to grassroots levels, close to members. The Association must truly be a common home for the elderly; a bridge between the Party, the State and the elderly; and at the same time a core force in the movement of the whole people to care for, support and promote the role of the elderly, strongly arousing the spirit of "Old Age - Bright Example" in the new development stage of the country.
Promoting the spirit of "the older the age, the higher the spirit" in the new development stage
General Secretary and President affirmed that caring for the elderly is the responsibility of the Party, State, society, community and each family. The Party leads with the right policies, with regular concern, by placing the work of the elderly in the human development strategy and ensuring social security.
A developed country is not only measured by economic scale, growth rate or modern works. A developed country is also measured by the quality of life of the people, by the sustainability of the family, by humanity in the community, by whether the elderly live in peace, are cared for, respected and continue to contribute or not," the General Secretary and President emphasized.
The General Secretary and President hoped that the elderly, grandparents, and grandmothers would continue to maintain their health, be the spiritual support of their families, clans, and communities; continue to contribute opinions to build the Party and build the government; educate their children and grandchildren, maintain solidarity, and spread good things in society.
The country always needs the heartfelt voice of the elderly, needs the experience of predecessors, needs simple but persuasive living examples, needs the spirit of "the older you get, the higher the spirit" in the new development stage.
