Voluntary social insurance - a sustainable social security support for freelance workers in Lao Cai

In the context of many fluctuations in the lives of many freelance workers in Lao Cai, the voluntary social insurance policy is increasingly affirming its role as a sustainable social security support. With flexible implementation, close adherence to the grassroots and breakthrough innovations from the 2024 amended Law on Social Insurance, the provincial Social Insurance sector is creating a clear change in people's awareness, helping them proactively build a safe and stable future for themselves.

Previously, the concept of “pension” was quite unfamiliar to most freelance workers, especially in mountainous and remote areas. Economic pressure and immediate spending needs prevented many people from thinking about long-term social security solutions. However, with the voluntary social insurance policy becoming more and more complete, transparent and friendly, small traders, small businesses, seasonal workers or suburban traders have begun to consider this as a channel to ensure sustainable social security. Voluntary social insurance is not simply “pay - receive”, but is a form of long-term accumulation protected by the State, helping participants receive monthly pensions, health insurance cards during retirement and death benefits.

From July 1, 2025, when the Law on Social Insurance (amended) 2024 officially takes effect, the benefits of participants will continue to be greatly enhanced: the contribution period to receive pension will be reduced from 20 years to 15 years; additional maternity benefits; increased State support from 20% to 50% for participants. Thanks to the increasingly close-to-life policy, by the end of November 2025, Lao Cai province had 44,883 people participating in voluntary social insurance, an increase of 5,635 people compared to the same period, reaching 57.34% of the plan assigned by Vietnam Social Insurance.

Social insurance officers and postal collection service organizations directly propagate and mobilize small traders to participate in voluntary social insurance and family health insurance.

The results achieved are evidence of a synchronous, drastic and strategic implementation process. Right from the beginning of the year, the Provincial Social Insurance assigned specific targets to each grassroots unit, built monthly and quarterly implementation scenarios; strengthened data monitoring, and promptly adjusted the approach plan in difficult areas. The collection agent system received in-depth training and development in professional and communication skills, thereby becoming real social security propagandists right in the community.

Small group communication methods are flexibly deployed, regardless of weather conditions, to bring social security messages to where people make a living.

Communication work is identified as the "spearhead" to change awareness. In November 2025 alone, the whole province organized 1,678 small group communication sessions with 18,735 participants, helping to resolve problems directly at the grassroots level. The competitive atmosphere was promoted with the Propaganda Day (November 18, 2025) and the peak period of "15 days of acceleration to the finish line". During the festival day alone, the whole province organized 08 launching ceremonies with 174 communication sessions, reaching 5,742 people and developing 159 new people to participate in voluntary social insurance.

The mobile propaganda campaigns create a competitive atmosphere, demonstrating the determination to "accelerate to the finish line" of the Lao Cai Social Insurance sector during the peak months at the end of the year.

Effective communication work has contributed to building and spreading trust among the people. A typical example is the case of Ms. Nguyen Thi Yen, a clothing trader in Nuoc Mat residential group, Au Lau ward. With an income of 5-7 million VND/month, she is afraid of having to set aside a portion of her income to take care of the future. However, after dedicated and clear consultation sessions from officials and collection agents, she decided to register to participate in voluntary social insurance.

Ms. Yen shared: " Even though the economy is still difficult, I still try to participate in social insurance so that I can have a pension in the future and not have to rely on my children."

Ms. Yen's story is also a common change for tens of thousands of freelance workers when they have full access to policy information.

Ms. Nguyen Thi Yen (green shirt) decided to participate in voluntary social insurance after social insurance officers clearly explained the long-term benefits and support from the State.

Despite many positive results, the completion of the voluntary social insurance coverage target in Lao Cai still faces many challenges. By the end of November 2025, the whole province had only reached 57.34% of the plan, still lacking more than 42%, equivalent to over 33,000 people who need to be further developed to complete the set target. Difficulties are evident in mountainous areas. Typically, the Sa Pa Social Insurance, the unit in charge of Sa Pa ward and 5 highland communes, including: Ta Phin, Ban Ho, Ngu Chi Son, Muong Bo and Ta Van, where the voluntary social insurance participation rate only reached 29.23% of the plan. The large area, scattered population, unstable income and the "go where you go" mentality are still common, making the work of developing participants encounter many obstacles.

Faced with that reality, Sa Pa Social Insurance has implemented many flexible solutions, working directly with the Steering Committee of key communes, linking responsibility with Party committees and authorities; promoting socialization of social security by donating 1,051 health insurance cards to people in difficulty. This is not only immediate support, but also a way to sow the foundation of trust in the policy, helping people boldly participate in voluntary social insurance.

In the final "sprint" month of the year, Lao Cai Provincial Social Insurance determined to focus all its efforts to complete the target. Key solutions include: Assigning specific targets associated with the responsibilities of the head; strengthening coordination with the Steering Committee for implementing social insurance and health insurance policies in key communes and wards; promoting socialization to support people in difficult circumstances to participate in health insurance and voluntary social insurance. At the same time, administrative procedure reform and digital transformation continue to be promoted. Lao Cai Provincial Social Insurance not only aims to complete the assigned targets, but also aims to build a sustainable and humane social security system, contributing to stabilizing the local socio-economic life. Social security policies are increasingly permeating the lives of the self-employed, helping the once unfamiliar concept of "pension" gradually become a solid foundation for the future of each person.

Source: https://baolaocai.vn/bao-hiem-xa-hoi-tu-nguyen-diem-tua-an-sinh-ben-vung-cho-lao-dong-tu-do-o-lao-cai-post888516.html