Talking to Lao Dong Newspaper, People's Artist Trinh Kim Chi said that the artists living at Thi Nghe Nursing Center do not have pensions. The main reason is the specific nature of the profession of the previous generation of artists.
Most stage artists of the previous generation operated freely, not working permanently in an agency, unit or organization with stable salary and social insurance regimes. Later, they also did not participate in voluntary social insurance regimes.
These are the reasons why they cannot meet the conditions for enjoying retirement benefits.
In other words, the lack of pensions for these artists does not simply stem from the fact that they do not participate in work in state art troupes. The important issue lies in their social insurance participation process.
According to artist Trinh Kim Chi, in the previous generation of artists, many people spent most of their lives on stage but worked freely, today in this troupe, tomorrow collaborating with other units or operating according to each program and performance.
This form of labor is different from those who work stably at agencies and units with full social insurance contributions for a long time.
When they reach old age, if they do not have a period of social insurance participation that is sufficient according to regulations, they will not have a monthly pension.
Although there is no pension, Ho Chi Minh City is supporting each artist at Thi Nghe Nursing Center with 2.65 million VND/person/month. In addition to financial support, artists are also provided with lifelong free care by the center.
Artist Trinh Kim Chi said that previously, some artists lived at the Nursing Home of District 8, Ho Chi Minh City (founded by artist Phung Ha). After that, they were transferred to Thi Nghe Nursing Center to have better health care conditions.
Artist Mac Can shared with reporters that initially he was a freelance artist. However, later, he voluntarily applied to live at Thi Nghe Nursing Center. He explained that he did not want to bother his children and that in the nursing home there were friends and colleagues who could chat and confide.
As of the end of July 2026, Thi Nghe Nursing Center is taking care of 5 veteran artists including Meritorious Artist Dieu Hien, artist Ngoc Dang, artist Lam Son, artist Mac Can and artist Huynh Thanh Tra.
