Action Month for the Vietnamese Elderly launched
A ceremony was held in Hanoi on September 28 to mark the 27th International Day of Older Persons (October 1) and launch the Action Month for the Vietnamese Elderly.
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| National Assembly Chairwoman Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan (in red long dress) presents gifts to old people at the event |
Speaking at the ceremony, Deputy Prime Minister Vu Duc Dam affirmed that the Vietnamese Party and State always pay attention to and reserve resources for caring for the elderly.
Not only the Constitution but also the Law on the Elderly and guidance documents have been improved to better care for and protect of old people, he said.
In addition, the Government also launched a National Action Programme for the Elderly for 2012-2020 and organise the Action Month for the Vietnamese Elderly in October every year, Dam added.
According to the Deputy PM, Vietnam is one of the five countries with the fastest aging rates in the world. The nation is home to 10.1 million old people, or 11 percent of the population. The figure is forecast to rise to 17 percent by 2030 and 25 percent by 2050.
Therefore, more efforts are needed to take care of and protect the elderly, and promote their roles in society, he noted.
Dam also stressed the necessity to prioritise investment in developing geriatrics at medical clinics, and continue implementing social welfare policies for the elderly, especially homeless people and those living in difficult circumstances.
President of the Vietnam Association of the Elderly Pham Thi Hai Chuyen said that after 22 years of founding and development, the association now has nearly nine million members, or over 90 percent of the Vietnamese elder people.
The association has actively coordinated with relevant agencies in making laws and policies regarding the care for the elder and the promotion of their roles, and their legitimate rights and interests.
At the event, gifts were presented to elder people who are living in difficult circumstances.
