Replicating social security "support"

>> Overcoming "headwinds" to sow seeds of social security

Voluntary social insurance - reliable savings for the elderly

There was a time when, for many people in the highlands of Yen Bai and Lao Cai , the concept of "pension" was only associated with officials and civil servants. Few people dared to dream of a free health insurance card when they retired, or days of rest with a regular pension. But then, that concept is gradually changing dramatically. The voluntary social insurance policy has been and is really entering the villages, opening up a new door of hope, not simply a monthly contribution, but a long-term, sustainable investment for the future. It is a guarantee that when the hair turns gray and the strength is exhausted, workers still have a regular monthly salary, live independently, and do not have to depend on their children and grandchildren. "Having a salary in old age is a blessing!", many old people were moved to exclaim when holding their first pension book in their life. Participating in voluntary social insurance, when they reach retirement age, people will have a regular pension, helping to cover their living expenses and reduce the burden on their families. Moreover, pensioners are also given free health insurance cards, so that when the weather changes, they have a place to rely on, and health care is no longer a huge burden. And if something happens to them in the future, their relatives will also receive a portion of the death benefit, reducing their difficulties. This policy is the crystallization of the State's responsibility and the spirit of mutual love of the community. So that farmers with muddy hands and feet, street vendors at the early morning market, bricklayers, maids... have a place to rely on when their strength and energy are exhausted.

According to Social Insurance Region XVII, as of April 30, 2025, in Yen Bai , there were 28,031 people who trusted their future to the "pension book". This number increased by 331 people compared to the previous month and exceeded the same period last year by 3,369 people. Meanwhile, in Lao Cai province, there were also 11,207 people participating in voluntary social insurance, an increase of 2,080 people compared to the same period last year. The amount of voluntary social insurance collected from the two provinces of nearly 88 billion VND is the sweat, the savings, and the hope of the people. This clearly demonstrates that the policy is gradually taking root in life.

Social Insurance officers in region XVII actively promote and spread policies to the people.

Spreading policies to the people

Behind the number of people who entrust their future to the "pension book" is the strong participation of Social Insurance Region XVII and the silent sweat of dedicated people. From the beginning of the year, specific targets were assigned to each unit and each locality. Detailed "scenarios", dividing tasks by month and quarter, ensuring "clear people, clear work, clear results" were built, creating a new vitality, a high determination in the whole industry. For the policy to penetrate into every household, it is indispensable to have "extended arms" which are collection service organizations.

In total, Yen Bai has nearly 340 collection points with more than 800 employees; Lao Cai has even more with nearly 250 collection points and more than 850 people. They are local people, speaking the language of the people, understanding the hearts and minds of the villages. One word they say is sometimes worth more than a hundred words from officials from far away. Those collection points are like underground streams, seeping and watering trust. Everyone is thoroughly trained, not only to collect money but also to be dedicated propagandists, sowing the seeds of trust for the people. But for the humane policies of the Party and State to truly touch the hearts of every citizen, propaganda must go one step ahead, must "absorb" like salt in the sea. Social Insurance Region XVII has built a comprehensive communication strategy, closely following the orientation of Vietnam Social Insurance and concretizing it with practical actions, suitable to the characteristics of the locality.

The coordination with the Steering Committee for the development of social insurance and health insurance participants from the commune level has turned each grassroots cadre into a dynamic communication nucleus. Their voices are close, familiar, and easy to reach the hearts of the people. Direct policy consultation sessions for workers and laborers in Yen Bai province's industrial parks, in coordination with the Trade Union, have answered many questions and stimulated the need to participate. Then events such as the Launch Ceremony in Lao Cai, with the theme "Connecting new models, together with regional social insurance pioneers for community security", really created waves of spread. No longer dry propaganda scenes like tiles, now the way of doing things is much softer and more lively. Last April, 6 live conferences attracted more than 300 people to listen. Even in the middle of the Mother Goddess Temple Festival in Yen Bai city, social insurance cadres skillfully integrated small group talks, so that the social security message naturally penetrated into the spiritual life of the people. The loudspeakers of communes and wards still resound every morning and evening, and in the month alone, there were more than 800 broadcasts about voluntary social insurance. Especially for ethnic minorities, many documents and talks are translated into ethnic languages to help them understand thoroughly. Colorful leaflets and banners also contribute to making the policy more familiar and friendly. In the age of technology, Zalo, Facebook, and Youtube are also utilized. Short videos , easy-to-understand images, real-life stories are shared and spread like a fresh breeze.

Each social insurance officer is also an "ambassador" online, bringing the policy closer to young people and those who regularly use the internet. Recently, social insurance officers in region XVII and post office propaganda officers have had new faces come to "sow seeds" for the elderly. Mr. Nguyen Truong Giang, from Gioi Phien commune, Yen Bai city, works as a salesman at the gate of the Provincial General Hospital. Although his income is not high, he still decided to save up to pay 737,000 VND for voluntary social insurance. Mr. Giang simply shared: "I take care of myself, it's best not to bother my children and grandchildren when I'm old."

Also in Gioi Phien commune, Ms. Tran Thi Lan Huong, a freelance worker, also decided to seek social security support with a contribution of 1 million 782 thousand VND for 5 months. "After being advised by social insurance officers and through the sisters who have participated, I found out the real benefits, I also have to participate to have a pension and a health insurance card when I am old, otherwise I will be sick and my children will suffer," Ms. Huong confided. Stories like Mr. Giang's and Ms. Huong's are not only proof of the effectiveness of propaganda work but also a source of inspiration, adding motivation to policy makers and other people who are still wondering and hesitant.

Propaganda leaflet: Things to know about voluntary social insurance

Overcoming difficulties to realize the goal of universal social security

Although much progress has been made, the path for voluntary social insurance to reach all self-employed workers is still fraught with difficulties and challenges. First, it is necessary to mention the characteristics of the participants. Most of them are farmers, workers, and small traders, whose incomes are often unstable and depend heavily on the weather and luck. For them, setting aside a monthly amount to "prepare for old age" is sometimes not a simple choice, especially when the pressure of living expenses is still present. Many people still do not fully understand the long-term benefits that voluntary social insurance provides. The habit of "waiting until the last minute" and the mentality of "God creates the grass when the elephant is born" are also deeply ingrained in the thinking of many people. The roads are far away, some villages take half a day to reach, and the common language is often mumbled, so how can the policy be deeply absorbed? Not to mention, natural disasters, epidemics, or general economic difficulties can also negatively impact people's income and ability to maintain voluntary social insurance participation.

Looking straight at the difficulties and challenges is not to be discouraged, but to find a stable direction. Social Insurance Region XVII determined to continue to strengthen solutions in debt collection and reduction, and the work of mobilizing and developing participants will continue to be the focus. In particular, communication work will be further innovated in terms of content, form and method, so that people, even in remote areas, can access information in the easiest and most complete way. It is necessary to further strengthen direct dialogues between social insurance officers and people. Listening to thoughts and aspirations, thoroughly answering even the smallest questions is the most sustainable way to build trust. Building and replicating effective communication models, honoring typical examples will also create a strong spread in the community. And it is also necessary to make proposals to higher levels, to have more flexible support policies for the disadvantaged, those who sincerely want to participate but are powerless. And the team of tax collection service staff must be constantly trained, so that they can truly be a solid bridge and a trusted friend of the people.

This journey is still long and full of ups and downs. But with the cooperation of the entire political system, with the continuous efforts of the social insurance sector, and more importantly, the understanding and consensus of each citizen, the voluntary social insurance policy will increasingly permeate life. Then, on the roads and in the highland villages, there will be more peaceful smiles of the elderly, more families will have less burdens, and a more and more secure and progressive society will appear. Voluntary social insurance is not just a policy on paper, but is truly a "lifesaver", a solid "fulcrum" to help freelance workers create a peaceful and independent future in their old age, reducing the burden on their children and society. It is also a vivid manifestation of the tradition of "the strong helping the weak", "mutual love" of the nation. Persistence and constant innovation in advocacy and propaganda, with creative, approachable and heart-touching methods, are the keys to further expanding the coverage of voluntary social insurance. But above all, it requires the cooperation of the whole community, and especially the initiative of each citizen.

Thanh Phuc

Source: https://baoyenbai.com.vn/215/351015/Nhan-rong-diem-tua-an-sinh.aspx