President Triet made the call in a letter to the Vietnam Association of the Elderly on the occasion of the 15^th anniversary of the International Day for the Elderly (October 1).

The entire Party, people and army are always proud of and grateful for great contributions made by generations of elderly people to the country's struggle for national independence and reunification, as well as for national construction and defence, he stressed.

The State leader also asked Party organisations, local authorities and civil organisations at all levels, and relevant ministries and agencies to observe policies on Vietnamese elderly people.

Meanwhile, the Elderly Care Fund of Vietnam has been set up under the Vietnamese Elderly People's Association Central Committee.

According to a decision signed on September 21, the fund would support activities of providing healthcare service for the elderly.
Finance of the non-profit fund would be made of contributions and donations from domestic and foreign organisations and individuals.