Expanding social security "pillars"

Overcoming headwinds to sow seeds of welfare.

Voluntary social insurance - a reliable savings option for the elderly.

There was a time when, for many people in the mountainous regions of Yen Bai and Lao Cai, the concept of "pension" was only associated with civil servants and government employees. Few dared to dream of a free health insurance card in old age, or the prospect of a regular pension. But now, that concept is gradually changing dramatically. Voluntary social insurance policies have truly entered these villages, opening a new door of hope. It's not simply a monthly contribution, but a long-term, sustainable investment for the future. It's a guarantee that even when their hair turns gray and their strength wanes, workers will still have a regular monthly pension, living independently and not depending on their children and grandchildren. "Having a pension in old age is a blessing!" many elderly people exclaimed emotionally upon receiving their first pension booklet. By participating in voluntary social insurance, people will receive a regular pension after retirement, helping to cover living expenses and reduce the burden on their families. Furthermore, pensioners are also provided with free health insurance cards, so that they have a source of support during difficult times, and healthcare is no longer a heavy burden. And if something unfortunate happens in the future, their surviving relatives will also receive a death benefit, easing their financial burden. This policy is the culmination of the State's responsibility and the spirit of mutual support within the community. It provides a safety net for farmers, street vendors, construction workers, domestic helpers, and others when their strength and resources are depleted.

According to the Social Insurance Agency Region XVII, as of April 30, 2025, in Yen Bai province, 28,031 people had entrusted their future to the "retirement book". This number increased by 331 people compared to the previous month and far exceeded the same period last year by 3,369 people. Meanwhile, in Lao Cai province, 11,207 people participated in voluntary social insurance, an increase of 2,080 people compared to the same period last year. The nearly 88 billion VND collected from voluntary social insurance in these two provinces represents the sweat, the savings, and the hopes of the people. This clearly demonstrates that the policy is gradually taking root in people's lives.

Social Security officials in Region XVII actively promote and disseminate policies to the people.

Disseminate policies to the people.

Behind the number of people entrusting their future to their "retirement book" lies the strong involvement of the Social Insurance Region XVII and the silent sweat of dedicated individuals. From the beginning of the year, specific targets were assigned to each unit and locality. Detailed "scenarios," dividing tasks by month and quarter, ensuring "clear responsibilities, clear tasks, clear results," were developed, creating a new dynamism and high determination throughout the sector. For the policy to reach every household, the "extended arms" of the collection service organizations are indispensable.

In Yen Bai province, there are nearly 340 collection points with over 800 staff; Lao Cai province has even more, with nearly 250 collection points and over 850 people. They are local people, speaking the language of the people, understanding the feelings and sentiments of the villages. A single word from them can be worth more than a hundred words from officials traveling from afar. These collection points are like underground streams, nourishing and nurturing trust. Everyone is thoroughly trained, not only to collect money but also to be dedicated communicators, sowing seeds of trust among the people. But for the humane policies of the Party and State to truly touch the hearts of every citizen, communication must precede implementation, it must "permeate" like salt in the ocean. The Social Insurance Region XVII has developed a comprehensive communication strategy, closely following the direction of Vietnam Social Insurance and concretizing it with practical actions, appropriate to the specific characteristics of the locality.

The coordination with the Steering Committee for the Development of Social Insurance and Health Insurance Participation from the commune level has transformed each grassroots official into a dynamic communication hub. Their voices are familiar, relatable, and easily resonate with the people. Direct policy consultations for workers and laborers in the industrial zones of Yen Bai province, in coordination with the Trade Union, have answered many questions and stimulated the desire to participate. Then there are events like the launching ceremony in Lao Cai, themed "Connecting new models, pioneering with regional social insurance for community welfare," which truly created a ripple effect. Gone are the days of dry, rigid propaganda; now the approach is much softer and more lively. Last April, six direct conferences attracted over three hundred attendees. Even during the Mother Goddess festival at the White Robe Temple in Yen Bai city, social insurance officials skillfully incorporated small group discussions, allowing the message of social welfare to naturally permeate the spiritual lives of the people. The loudspeakers in communes and wards continue to blare every morning and evening; this month alone, there have been over 800 broadcasts about voluntary social insurance. Especially for ethnic minority communities, many documents and talks are translated into their languages to help them understand thoroughly. Colorful leaflets and banners also contribute to making the policy more accessible and friendly. In this age of technology, platforms like Zalo, Facebook, and YouTube are also utilized. Short videos , easy-to-understand images, and real-life stories are shared and spread like a gentle breeze.

Each social insurance officer is also an "ambassador" online, bringing policies closer to young people and those who frequently use the internet. Recently, social insurance officials in Region XVII and postal workers have added new faces to their outreach efforts to "sow seeds" for the elderly. Mr. Nguyen Truong Giang, from Gioi Phien commune, Yen Bai city, works as a vendor at the gate of the Provincial General Hospital. Although his income is still not high, he decided to save up to pay 737,000 VND for voluntary social insurance. Mr. Giang simply shared: "Taking care of myself, not burdening my children and grandchildren in old age is the best."

Also in Gioi Phien commune, Ms. Tran Thi Lan Huong, a self-employed worker, decided to seek social security support by contributing 1,782,000 VND for 5 months. "After consulting with social insurance officials and hearing about the benefits from other women who have participated, I realized I had to join to have a pension and health insurance card in my old age, otherwise, illness would cause hardship for my children," Ms. Huong confided. Stories like those of Mr. Giang and Ms. Huong not only demonstrate the effectiveness of public awareness campaigns but also serve as inspiration and motivation for policymakers and other citizens who are still hesitant or uncertain.

Informational leaflet: Things to know about voluntary social insurance

Overcoming difficulties to realize the goal of universal social security.

Despite significant progress, the path to making voluntary social insurance accessible to all self-employed workers remains fraught with difficulties and challenges. First, we need to consider the characteristics of the participants. The majority are farmers, factory workers, and small-scale traders whose incomes are often unstable and heavily dependent on weather and luck. For them, setting aside a monthly sum to "prepare for old age" is sometimes a difficult choice, especially given the persistent pressure of living expenses. Furthermore, many still do not fully understand the long-term benefits that voluntary social insurance provides. The habit of procrastinating until the last minute, and the mentality of "God provides for everything," are deeply ingrained in the thinking of many. With long distances and remote locations, some villages are still half a day's journey away, and many struggle with spoken Vietnamese, how can the policy truly penetrate the community? Furthermore, natural disasters, epidemics, or difficulties in the general economy can also negatively impact people's income and their ability to maintain voluntary social insurance participation.

Facing difficulties and challenges head-on is not about discouragement, but about finding solid solutions. The Social Insurance Region XVII has identified continued efforts to strengthen collection, debt reduction, and mobilization and development of participants as key priorities. In particular, communication will be further innovated in terms of content, form, and methods, ensuring that people, even those in remote areas, can access information easily and comprehensively. More direct dialogues between Social Insurance officials and the public are needed. Listening to people's thoughts and aspirations, and thoroughly addressing even the smallest questions, is the most sustainable way to build trust. Developing and replicating effective communication models and honoring exemplary individuals will also create a strong ripple effect in the community. Furthermore, proposals to higher authorities are needed to develop more flexible support policies for vulnerable groups and those who genuinely want to participate but lack the means to do so. And the team of tax collection service officials and staff must be continuously trained so that they truly become a solid bridge and a trusted friend of the people.

This journey is long and fraught with challenges. But with the concerted efforts of the entire political system, the tireless endeavors of the social insurance sector, and most importantly, the understanding and solidarity of every citizen, the voluntary social insurance policy will increasingly permeate daily life. Then, along the roads and in the remote villages, there will be more peaceful smiles of the elderly, more families will have their burdens eased, and a more secure and progressive society will become a reality. Voluntary social insurance is not just a policy on paper; it is truly a "lifeline," a solid "support" that helps self-employed workers build a peaceful and independent future in their twilight years, reducing the burden on their children and society. This is also a vivid expression of the nation's tradition of "mutual support" and "compassion." Persistence and continuous innovation in advocacy and communication efforts, with creative, relatable, and heartfelt approaches, are key to further expanding the coverage of voluntary social insurance. Above all, however, the collective effort of the entire community is essential, and especially the proactive participation of each individual citizen.

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