Báo Tin Tức•21/02/2026Within the broader context of the "silver economy ," nursing homes are seen as an important model, meeting the comprehensive care needs of the elderly while also opening up new avenues for socio-economic development.
Elderly people are being cared for at Tam An Nursing Home. Photo: vietnam.vnanet.vn
Context of an aging population
Vietnam is entering a period of population aging at a much faster rate than many countries in the region. According to official statistics, the number of elderly people will reach 14.2 million in 2024, and is expected to increase to 28 million by 2050. Vietnam will officially enter the aging population period from 2036 when the proportion of people aged 65 and over accounts for 14% of the population. This opens up opportunities for the "silver economy" but also creates significant pressure on the social security system.
In the context of shrinking traditional multi-generational families, increasingly fast-paced urbanization and industrialization, and limited capacity for elderly care at home, the need for developing centralized, professional care facilities such as nursing homes is becoming increasingly urgent.
According to experts, Vietnam has many favorable conditions for developing nursing home models. Firstly, there is a growing societal demand due to the rapid increase in the number of elderly people. This is a crucial driving force behind the formation and development of professional elderly care services. Secondly, Vietnam possesses a large young workforce capable of being trained and supplemented in the field of elderly care. With proper training and appropriate incentives, this workforce can become a vital foundation for the sustainable development of the nursing home system.
The care of the elderly has always received the attention of the Party and the State. Resolution No. 72-NQ/TW of the Politburo on some breakthrough solutions to strengthen the protection, care, and improvement of people's health sets out the requirement to " Develop elderly care facilities. Continue to improve the rehabilitation service system; effectively combine medical facilities and elderly care facilities." Many policies and action programs have been issued to protect, care for, and promote the role of the elderly, creating a foundation for the development of new care models, including nursing homes.
However, according to experts, the development of nursing home models in Vietnam is facing numerous difficulties. First and foremost is the high initial investment and operating cost. Building modern, patient-friendly facilities, equipping them with medical and rehabilitation equipment, and maintaining a professional workforce requires significant capital. Meanwhile, the affordability of most elderly people is limited. In reality, the cost at many private nursing homes ranges from 10 to 18 million VND per month, significantly higher than the current average pension.
Another challenge is the shortage of highly skilled personnel in the field of elderly care, especially nurses, medical assistants, and support staff. Furthermore, socio-cultural factors also pose a significant barrier. Traditional beliefs consider it a filial duty for children and grandchildren to care for their parents and grandparents at home. Many families worry that placing their loved ones in nursing homes goes against tradition, leading to hesitation and reluctance to accept this model. In addition, a lack of information and concerns about service quality also cause many elderly people and their families to hesitate.
Currently, the number of elderly care facilities in Vietnam is still quite modest compared to the actual need. According to surveys, there are approximately over 400 nursing homes nationwide, of which nearly half are charitable or state-funded facilities. This system is unevenly distributed, mainly concentrated in large urban areas.
State-run nursing homes primarily serve elderly people eligible for social welfare programs, war veterans, or those in exceptionally difficult circumstances, offering low or free services to meet basic care needs, but their scale remains limited. Charitable nursing homes play a crucial role in supporting homeless elderly people, but often face difficulties in terms of financial resources and facilities. Meanwhile, private nursing homes are developing towards high-end, diverse services, but the high costs make them inaccessible to only a segment of the elderly population.
Solutions for developing nursing home models.
Ms. Nguyen Trang Nhung (Finance Academy) affirmed that to effectively develop the nursing home model, a comprehensive and long-term approach is needed. First and foremost, focus must be placed on improving service quality, ensuring comprehensive care for both physical and mental well-being. Nursing homes need to provide specialized medical services, closely linked with the hospital system; establish scientific lifestyle and nutrition regimes; invest in modern, child-friendly facilities; and gradually apply technology and artificial intelligence in the management and care of the elderly.
Furthermore, diversifying models and services is a crucial solution to meet the varying needs and financial capabilities of many families. Developing models ranging from affordable to high-end, combining intensive care and daycare, will help expand access to services.
Ms. Nguyen Trang Nhung also affirmed the importance of standardizing and developing the workforce for elderly care; strengthening specialized training, combining theory and practice; and implementing appropriate incentive policies to attract and retain high-quality personnel. The State also needs to issue specific regulations on operational standards, monitoring mechanisms, and legal responsibilities, while developing preferential policies on taxes and credit, and encouraging public-private partnerships to mobilize social resources for this sector.
In the context of a rapidly and irreversibly aging population, nursing homes are becoming a significant economic model. Despite numerous limitations and challenges, by learning from and building upon international experience, particularly from countries with similar cultural backgrounds such as Japan and China, Vietnam can certainly build and develop a modern, humane, and sustainable nursing home system. This will not only contribute to improving the quality of life for the elderly but also open up new avenues for socio-economic development in the coming period.
Source: https://baotintuc.vn/xa-hoi/thuc-day-mo-hinh-vien-duong-lao-dong-luc-moi-cho-kinh-te-bac-20260221101434389.htm
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