Vietnam
We have worked with local partners in Vietnam since 1997 to:
- Improve older people's income security.
- Promote health awareness and healthy ageing.
- Promote older people's monitoring of their rights and entitlements.
- Form and expand community self-help clubs.
- Replicate successful ways to care for older people at home.
- Replicate successful community-led approaches to reduce the impact of HIV and AIDS.
- Drive forward policies that protect older people's rights.
We also work closely with the Vietnamese Government to improve policies that affect older people.
Life story: Le Xuan Ngoc, 58
Le Xuan Ngoc with one of his pigeons.
HelpAge International 2011
Le Xuan Ngoc, 58, lives with his wife in Thanh Hoa Province. He is one of the first members of a self-help club set up by HelpAge and the Vietnam Association of the Elderly in 2010.
He says: "In December 2010, I borrowed US$145 from the club's microcredit programme to invest in pigeon breeding.
"I bought seven pairs of birds, some feed and the club also taught me techniques for caring for the birds, which are sold as pets and food.
"Bird raising is not labour intensive so suitable for older people. After just three months, my birds have already bred five more pairs.
"The business plan is very clear. In a month, all 12 pairs will give birth. If I sell those birds, I will earn enough to buy food and medicine for the birds. I will also have enough money to buy vegetables and other food for me and my wife. This makes me very happy."
The difference we made in 2010
We provided technical support so that our partners could:
- Establish 160 community clubs in North Central Vietnam that strengthen community links and help older people support each other.
- Provide livelihood training to the club management boards so they can help club members increase their income security.
- Provide health training to the club management boards so they can educate club members on how to prevent and treat common illnesses, and help them access existing health programmes.
- Provide the clubs with funds for revolving loans schemes so club members who cannot access credit from other sources can borrow money to invest in income generating activities.
What next?
- Through advocacy and awareness raising activities, we will increase the number of older people accessing old age pensions.
- We will help older people and their families increase their income and food security.
- We will introduce at least two new projects to promote self-care and home care activities, which will benefit at least 20,000 older people.
- We will help communities become better prepared for natural disasters.
See how older people's groups help communities in Vietnam
Our affiliates
Vietnam Association of the Elderly (VAE), The Center for Ageing Support and Community Development (CASCD)
Our partners
Vietnam Women's Union (VWU), Vietnam National Committee on Ageing (VNCA), Vietnam Public Health Association (VPHA).
