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.

Life story: Ho Thi Hoa, 71

With a loan from a self-help club, Ho Thi Hoa was able to buy three pigs. (c) HelpAge International Ho Thi Hoa's husband died four years ago. She has eight children, seven of whom are married and live separately. She lives with the youngest son, his wife and one granddaughter, who is seven. She often spends time with her grandmother after school.

She said: “I joined the intergenerational self-help club in 2012 and participate in the monthly club meetings. Before I joined the club, I was nervous. Now, I feel confident when raising my voice both in the club and village meetings.

“My son hunts for a living and is the main breadwinner in the family. I get a pension of about 1,800,000 VND per month (US$86). I received a loan of 3,000,000 VND (US$144) from the club which I used to buy three pigs to raise. I hope that they will breed soon.

“The thing I like the most about the club is home visits; the club members often visit me when I am sick. When I come to the club meeting and join in with the activities I feel happier, healthier and do not worry about anything.”

Supporting older people in Vietnam

Livelihoods support

• We have provided support to our local partners to establish 185 community-based clubs in North Central Vietnam that strengthen community links and help older people support each other, increasing the number of clubs to nearly 600.
• We have provided age-friendly livelihoods training to the club management boards so they can help club members increase their income security.
• We have provided the clubs with funds so club members who cannot access credit from other sources can borrow money to invest in making a living.

Healthcare

• We have given 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.

Advocacy

• We have supported our local partners in successfully advocating community-based clubs to be included in the National Program of Action of Ageing.

Social protection

• Together with local partners, we have advocated for a reduction of the age, as well as an increase of the size of the social pension. 

What next?

• We will support our local partners to form at least 30 more intergenerational self-help clubs by the end of 2013.
  
• 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.

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), Ministry of Labour-Invalids and Social Affairs (MOLISA).

Our donors

Age UK, Atlantic Philanthropies, DFID, UNFPA, MCNV, OXFAM