Independence becomes a new "wealth
Longer lifespan means an increasingly obvious stage of dependence - a reality that is reshaping the way Vietnamese people perceive old age. According to the Manulife Asia Care 2026 survey, when they get old, Vietnamese people are expected to have an average of 10 years needing care from others and 13 years needing financial support. For the group over 60 years old, the time to need financial support is longer, up to 15 years, while the time to need care is 9 years.
Living expenses in this period are also a noteworthy factor, with an average of about 11.8 million VND per month, according to estimates by survey participants, creating significant additional pressure on individuals and families.
Faced with that reality, many people are more interested in their self-reliance and do not want to be dependent or become a burden to their families. The survey shows that up to 89% of Vietnamese people believe that financial independence and self-reliance are the "assets" they want to leave to their families, and 57% want not to become a burden to their loved ones.
This trend is reshaping the distribution of finances in the family. Instead of accumulating for their children, those surveyed plan to spend most of their financial resources on taking care of themselves in the later stages of their lives. Specifically, about 2/3 of the assets are prioritized for the goal of maintaining their own lives to reduce pressure on their families.
This change is also clearly reflected in the way Vietnamese people prepare finances for the future. Up to 81% of respondents said they would actively rely on personal savings to cover expenses, while only 21% expect to receive support from their children - showing a trend of shifting away from the traditional dependent model. Notably, 86% believe that maintaining financial and health independence is more important than the value of assets left for future generations.
Vietnamese people shift from awareness to action in preparing for old age
To have an independent and active retirement life, many Vietnamese people focus on 2 main foundations: finance and health.
In the financial aspect, the trend of proactiveness is becoming increasingly clear. To ensure financial safety and stability in the future, many people have begun to diversify their financial sources in many forms. Specifically, 51% increase savings deposits, 45% buy health insurance and related insurance products, and 26% participate in open-ended funds.
Regarding investment, although the need is very clear - with 53% wanting to achieve financial independence and self-reliance in old age, 48% wanting to have a stable source of income to cover living expenses and 46% concerned about flexibility and liquidity in investment; but in reality, only about 1 in 4 people (27%) switch to investments that generate cash flow. This gap shows that existing needs have not yet been converted into corresponding actions, especially in building income sources for the later stage of life.
In addition, 69% said they want to continue working after the age of 65, reflecting a new definition of retirement: more active and proactive. This shows a desire to maintain a rhythm of life and continue to participate in economic activities in the later stages of life.
Regarding health foundations, most survey participants have a high awareness of preventive health care, but action still has a gap. Up to 91% believe that early screening helps reduce the risk of chronic diseases, 91% believe that periodic health check-ups help maintain self-care ability for longer. However, actual action is still not commensurate, with only about 40% maintaining regular exercise and 31% performing periodic screening. This gap shows the urgent need to shift from awareness to action if you want to maintain a long-term quality of life.
Besides preparing for finance and health, proactively discussing aging plans in the family also plays an important role but is still neglected. Survey results show that up to 81% of Vietnamese people believe that talking openly and early about retirement needs will significantly improve the quality of life in the future. However, many people have not yet started these discussions because they find it difficult to open up or are hesitant to talk about sensitive topics such as aging, illness or financial responsibility in the family. Faced with that reality, the companionship of experienced financial and insurance consultants can help each person be more confident in opening up necessary discussions, and at the same time be more proactive in planning for the future.
Ms. Tina Nguyen, General Director of Manulife Vietnam, shared: "The survey shows that Vietnamese people are changing their views on aging - no longer a stage of dependence, but a journey that needs to be prepared proactively. Independence, both financially and healthily, is being seen by many as a meaningful'property' they leave for their families. This shows an increasingly clear need for solutions to help customers proactively control their future and reduce pressure on their loved ones.
