Along with allocating over 574 billion VND from the budget to give gifts to over 1.1 million beneficiaries of social policies, combined with the policy of paying two months' pension and social insurance benefits in a lump sum, Hanoi also mobilized resources from local authorities and the community to show deep concern for vulnerable people. All of this is aimed at a common goal: so that every citizen can celebrate the Lunar New Year fully, completely, and warmly.
Springtime for extraordinary souls
In the days leading up to the Lunar New Year of the Horse 2026, while the chill still lingered on every street, spring arrived early at the capital's special education institutions. There, spring was measured not only by the color of peach blossoms, but also by the radiant eyes of disadvantaged children.
At the Soc Son School for Children with Disabilities, joy was evident on the face of Mrs. Tran Thi Hoa (60 years old) as she emotionally received a Tet gift bag for her granddaughter, who is in class 2A. Her granddaughter has an intellectual disability, but after two years of studying here, she can now guide her grandmother and greet everyone every morning. These Tet gifts, handed directly by city leaders and benefactors, not only hold material value but also represent a deeply humane affirmation: the community always stands by and does not turn its back on those less fortunate.
At Binh Minh Primary School (80 Tho Nhuom Street), Mr. Dinh Van Vinh, Head of the School's Parent Representative Board, expressed his appreciation for the efforts of the teaching staff in connecting with organizations, philanthropists, and parents to organize the "Spring Festival of Love." The program provided hundreds of meaningful gifts and scholarships for students in special education and inclusive education programs. He stated that each class has 15-20 students with various disabilities, requiring immense patience and dedication.
"I truly cherish the affection, love, and silent sacrifices that the teachers have dedicated to the children," Mr. Vinh said emotionally as he witnessed the students playing and receiving Tet gifts in the warm and sincere love of their teachers and benefactors.
Stories like those of Mrs. Hoa and Mr. Vinh are just two of many glimpses into the lives that Hanoi is quietly nurturing. This shows that, in the capital city, inclusive education and care for disadvantaged children are not just professional duties but have become a core part of its humanistic development philosophy.
A social security "safety net" based on telling statistics.
While the gifts at special schools carry profound spiritual significance, the overall scale of the 2026 Tet gift-giving program further affirms Hanoi's potential and determination in its social welfare policy.
According to Plan No. 341/KH-UBND of the City People's Committee, nearly 1.2 million gifts are expected to be distributed to policy beneficiaries with a total budget of over 574 billion VND, funded from the city budget, commune-level budgets, and other legally mobilized sources. The gift distribution system is scientifically allocated, fully covering all target groups with different levels of support, demonstrating comprehensive and thoughtful care. Accordingly, a gift of 2 million VND/person is given to Vietnamese Heroic Mothers, Heroes of the People's Armed Forces, wounded soldiers, disabled veterans with severe reduced working capacity, and those who participated in revolutionary activities before 1945... The next group receiving a gift of 1 million VND/person includes children of those affected by chemical toxins, representatives of martyrs' worship, and demobilized soldiers and police officers who participated in the resistance war against the US...
Furthermore, the city also pays special attention to former female youth volunteers facing particularly difficult circumstances – those who have made many silent sacrifices. In addition, the policy of celebrating the birthdays of the elderly with gifts ranging from 700,000 VND to 1,500,000 VND per person continues to affirm the beautiful tradition of "respecting the elderly brings longevity" of the people of Thang An.
Beyond individual support, the city also allocated funds to give gifts to 73 exemplary units such as the Thang Long Club, centers for the care of war veterans, centers for the care of people with disabilities, etc., with amounts ranging from 6 to 16 million VND per unit. In particular, staff on duty during Tet at these facilities also received a bonus of 500,000 VND per person, contributing to boosting morale for service throughout the holiday.
Furthermore, in anticipation of the Lunar New Year, following the directives of the Prime Minister and the Hanoi People's Committee, the Hanoi Social Insurance agency has combined the payment of two months' pensions and allowances (February and March 2026) into a single payment period. Specifically, the agency has essentially completed the payment of February pensions to 607,462 people with a total amount exceeding 4.204 billion VND; and simultaneously paid March pensions (first installment) to 607,443 people with a budget of over 4.158 billion VND. The total resources disbursed in a short period exceeded 8.300 billion VND, creating important conditions for people to stabilize their lives before the Lunar New Year.
Notably, the percentage of pensioners receiving their pensions through personal accounts reached a record high of 99.55%. This demonstrates Hanoi's significant progress in the digital transformation of the social security sector. Along with the lump-sum payment, each pensioner also received an additional 300,000 VND Tet (Lunar New Year) gift from the city budget – a small but heartwarming gesture.
A "lifeline" amidst life's struggles.
The value of social security policies is clearly demonstrated through the story of Ms. Nguyen Thi Kim Lan (58 years old) at Thanh Nhan Hospital. Every day, she diligently sells vegetables at the market to care for her sick husband and her son-in-law with an unstable income. When her daughter was hospitalized with a gastrointestinal infection during pregnancy, the financial burden became even heavier. In that situation, her health insurance card became a crucial support.
"Luckily, my family has health insurance, which has significantly reduced our expenses," Ms. Lan shared. Along with the gifts from the "Zero-Cost Tet Fair" at the hospital, the social welfare policy has become a lifeline, helping her family overcome this difficult period.
Ms. Lan's story is a microcosm of thousands of impoverished workers in the capital – people who are not left behind thanks to the support of the community and the government.
In particular, Hanoi's social security in 2026 will not only focus on short-term activities but will also be elevated to a sustainable development management mindset. The city aims to build an inclusive, proactive social security system that puts the people at its center.
The grassroots healthcare system – the "gatekeeper" of health security – continues to receive investment to ensure that 100% of commune-level health stations have doctors working regularly. Alongside this is a roadmap for waiving or reducing basic hospital fees for policy beneficiaries, helping the poor access healthcare services at the grassroots level.
In addition, Hanoi is promoting the policy of socialization, combining the effective use of public resources to form a diverse social security ecosystem where people with disabilities receive community-based rehabilitation and the elderly receive professional care.
A new spring has arrived in the streets of Hanoi. Amidst the bustling crowds, the smiles of elderly people receiving Tet gifts, the hopeful eyes of disabled children, and the joy of retirees receiving their pensions early create a unique measure of happiness. With humane policies and groundbreaking decisions, Hanoi has been and is affirming its identity as a capital city that is "Cultural - Civilized - Modern - Happy" in the spring of the Year of the Horse 2026.
Source: https://hanoimoi.vn/cham-lo-de-moi-nguoi-dan-deu-co-xuan-733674.html
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