At HelpAge International in Vietnam, a new chapter is beginning. The organisation is transitioning from an internationally registered body to a fully Vietnamese one, the Vietnam Organisation for Better Ageing (VIOBA). While HelpAge’s programmes in Vietnam have long reflected local leadership and empowerment, this transition marks a new phase of full Vietnamese ownership and national identity.
This transformation is the latest step in HelpAge International’s long-standing commitment to localisation, transferring leadership and sustainability to local actors. Over the years, our partnerships, programmes, and people have grown stronger in Vietnam, paving the way for this next step.
The establishment of VIOBA reflects our shared belief that sustainable impact is best achieved when leadership, expertise, and resources are rooted in the country itself. This is an exciting moment when years of shared effort and vision are coming together for a bold and innovative new beginning.
A dual-entity approach for stability
The transition is being managed through a dual-entity approach. For the next few years, HelpAge International’s representatives in Vietnam will operate side by side with VIOBA. HelpAge will continue to lead on policy advocacy and scaling up proven models like the Intergenerational Self-Help Clubs (ISHCs), which have become a cornerstone of community support for older people. At the same time, VIOBA will focus on developing new services, technical advice, and products that directly support older people and their families.
What makes this approach unique is the continuity it provides. The same dedicated team will manage both organisations from a shared office, ensuring that knowledge, relationships, and trust are transferred smoothly. This is not a sudden change, but a gradual handover designed to protect our impact, reputation, and the communities we serve.
Successes and lessons from localisation
The birth of VIOBA: Balancing mission and market for lasting impact
Leading up to this transition, the team in Vietnam carefully reviewed a range of organisational models to identify one that could best balance social purpose, operational flexibility, and financial sustainability.
Their approach was underscored by an openness and adaptability to change.
The social enterprise model emerged as the most suitable approach – combining a strong social mission with the ability to generate income and reinvest in community impact. It allows VIOBA to operate with both social purpose and entrepreneurial agility, building a long-term, locally rooted foundation for ageing-related work in Vietnam.
Lessons for others
Three key lessons stand out from this journey:
Localisation is not one-size-fits-all. The legal, political, and social context of each country must shape the strategy.
Adaptability drives success. For organisations long accustomed to working within the non-profit framework, sustaining impact in an evolving funding landscape requires stepping beyond traditional boundaries and embracing more financially self-reliant approaches.
A phased transition is crucial. An abrupt handover can jeopardise programmes, staff morale, and partner relationships. The dual-entity approach allows for a gradual and managed transfer of knowledge, credibility, and responsibilities, reducing risk for everyone involved.
What’s next for VIOBA?
VIOBA’s vision is clear: a Vietnam where people of all ages can age actively, healthily, and securely. Over the next five years, VIOBA aims to become a well-recognised, trusted, and sustainable leader in ageing, laying the foundation to become the leading organisation in the sector within the next decade.
New priorities and services
With VIOBA, new opportunities are opening up:
Education and training: VIOBA is designing and delivering practical training programmes on lifelong learning, including digital literacy & skills, healthy ageing including community based long term care and dementia, and preparation for old age. These courses are tailored for individuals, organisations, and communities, helping people gain the skills they need for later life.
Consulting, evaluation, and research: VIOBA offers consulting and research services to help partners develop evidence-based, inclusive, and impactful ageing-related programmes and policies, products and services.
Communication and promotion: The team creates campaigns, materials, and events that raise public awareness, promote positive images of ageing, and support corporate social responsibility initiatives.
Sustainable community models: VIOBA is scaling up community-based models like the Intergenerational Self-Help Clubs and other age-friendly initiatives that empower older people and strengthen local resilience.
Service connection and access: Through collaboration networks and an integrated digital platform, VIOBA connects older people with essential services, care, and support.
Startup and innovation support: The organisation nurtures startups and social enterprises focused on ageing and community development, providing mentorship, technical guidance, and partnership opportunities.
Supporting staff and building sustainability
The transition is designed to ensure stability and create new opportunities for staff. By sharing the same team across both HAIV and VIOBA, job security and institutional continuity are maintained. Staff are also gaining new skills in market analysis, financial management, and social enterprise operations, preparing them for the future.
Financial sustainability is a cornerstone of VIOBA’s strategy. The goal is for 75% of VIOBA’s operational budget to be covered by self-generated revenue by 2030. This will come from a mix of earned revenue (such as consulting and training), fee-for-service contracts, grant funding, and, in the long term, impact investment. During the transition, HAIV will continue to secure grant funding, providing a stable financial bridge while VIOBA incubates and scales its revenue-generating activities.
Strong partnerships, new collaborations
Partnerships are at the heart of this journey. The long-standing relationship with our partner the Vietnam Association of the Elderly (VAE) remains strong, and ensuring the continuity of this partnership was a major reason for the dual-entity approach. HAIV will continue its close collaboration with VAE on national policy advocacy, while VIOBA will support VAE in international collaborations and explore new joint initiatives, such as an “Age-Friendly” Certification Network.
VIOBA is also building new relationships with private sector companies, social enterprises, universities, and other organisations. For example, it has already become a member of Alzheimer Disease International and Alliance for Longevity in Asia and Pacific, signed a partnership with WeCare247, a leading care services company, and is exploring partnerships with various other companies. These collaborations will help VIOBA reach more people and create new solutions for the challenges of ageing.
Community response: hope and support
The response from partners and the community has been clear: even with the challenges ahead, they want HelpAge’s work to continue. The localisation plan has been welcomed as a responsible and forward-looking move. Partners see VIOBA not as an end, but as the next chapter in a shared commitment to older people in Vietnam.
A model for the future
The story of VIOBA is a reminder that real change is possible when local people lead. By trusting local teams, adapting to the context, and planning carefully, HelpAge is showing how localisation can create lasting impact. As VIOBA takes its first steps, it stands as a model for others – proof that with the right approach, local leadership can build a better future for all.
Empowering communities and shifting power dynamics in the aid sector
At HelpAge, our commitment to localisation is unwavering.
We believe in empowering local actors, so that they have the power to influence decisions and prioritise the needs of the communities they serve.
Our partnerships are built on mutual respect, valuing the expertise of all parties equally and fostering meaningful participation at every level.
