The average increase of 6 million people over 60 years old in 10 years, Vietnam is in the top 10 countries with the fastest population aging rate in the world.
Deputy Minister of Health Tran Van Thuan said Vietnam is entering the aging of the population at a fast pace, at the scientific conference Multi -specialized approach in elderly patient management: Currently and in the future, On March 27, adding that the process began in 2011. The data announced by the General Statistics Office in early 2025 showed that the Mekong Delta and the Red River Delta were the two areas with the highest aging index in the country (76.8% and 70.6%). The Central Highlands has the lowest aging index compared to the remaining regions (37%).
In 2009, Vietnam had 7.45 million elderly people (from 60 and above). 10 years later, this figure reached 11.41 million. It is estimated that by 2029 Vietnam, 17.28 million elderly people, in 2049 to 28.61 million and by 2069 this figure was 31.69 million. It is forecasted that by 2038, Vietnam entered the aging population period.
“This is a huge challenge for the health, security and socio -economic system in general,” Deputy Minister Thuan said.
One of the challenges is the health of the elderly. Dr., Doctor Nguyen The Anh, Director of Huu Nghi Hospital, said that the average life expectancy is increasing but the number of years of healthy life of Vietnamese people is not proportional. The elderly faces the burden of double illness, which is both a result of non -communicable chronic diseases such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes, cancer, osteoporosis, dementia; Just high risk of functional impairment, complications of treatment, drug dependence and reduced quality of life.
On average, an elderly person suffers from 3-4 chronic diseases at the same time, leading to an increasing demand for long-term medical services, home care and social support policies. “Many elderly people have to live with disease, reduce income, reduce quality of life, increase the cost of maintaining health to create great pressure on the family and the health system,” Dr. The Anh said. This is the reason for improving the quality of health care for the elderly not only to treat the disease but also to include factors such as prophylaxis, rehabilitation, mental care and social support.
The doctor takes care of a cancer patient. Image: Thu Hang
In this context, experts say that the health system is still weak not enough to meet the needs of care for the treatment of the elderly. Dr., Doctor Ha Anh Duc, Director of medical examination and treatment management, Ministry of Health, acknowledged “very little geriatric health system”. The whole country has only one geriatric hospital and more than 30 hospitals with an old department. Many elderly people have to be in a wheelchair, but some hospitals have not optimized the problem of moving for wheelchairs like corridors.
Experts believe that it is necessary to promote measures to care for and treat elderly patients at the hospital and at home, in the community. This demand requires the health sector to apply digital technology in long -term disease management and care, including artificial intelligence, remote health, electronic health records and smart support devices.
The population growth rate in our country has continuously decreased in recent years, the current birth rate is only 1.91 heads/woman. In order to improve the quality of the population, experts believe that it is necessary to make efforts to resolve the low fertility, consolidate and perfect the health care service system.