Overview of the scientific conference.

The workshop was held online at the Hanoi bridge and 33 bridges across the country, with the participation of comrades: Nguyen Xuan Thang, Politburo member, Director of the Ho Chi Minh National Academy of Politics, Chairman of the Central Theoretical Council; Le Minh Hoan, Party Central Committee member, Vice Chairman of the National Assembly; Nguyen Thanh Nghi, Party Central Committee member, Head of the Central Policy and Strategy Committee and representatives of leaders of departments, ministries, branches, the Fatherland Front, international organizations...

Unlocking endogenous resources

Speaking at the workshop, comrade Nguyen Xuan Thang emphasized: Vietnam is experiencing the strongest "storm" of population aging in Asia and among the fastest in the world .

It is estimated that by the end of 2025, the number of elderly people (aged 60 and over) will reach about 16 million, accounting for more than 16% of our country's total population, a significant increase compared to the proportion of 11.9% in 2019. With the current population growth rate, by 2030 we will have 18 million elderly people, accounting for approximately 20% of the population.

This is not only a challenge for the people's health care and social security system, but also an opportunity to tap into "endogenous resources", exploit the "inner strength" of the previous generation, contributing to the successful implementation of the country's strategic goals in the new era of development. Therefore, the elderly are not a "burden" but a strategic resource.

Developing a silver economy is not only about taking care of the elderly, but also about creating a humane and civilized social model, turning demographic challenges into new development drivers. Policies must be based on encouragement, respect for freedom of choice and promoting the wisdom and experience of the elderly.

Comrade Nguyen Xuan Thang also emphasized: Silver economy in Vietnam in the new era is not only a matter for the elderly; it is also a matter of culture, society, people and morality. Eastern cultural values ​​in general, and Vietnamese traditions in particular, will urge and nurture the development of the silver economy in a sustainable and complete manner; in which, the elderly will play a central role, not only as beneficiaries but also as a new driving force for the process of rapid and sustainable economic development.

Comrade Nguyen Xuan Thang suggested that the workshop should focus on discussing to find answers to six major questions. These are: How to turn the silver economy into a driving force for national growth? What mechanism should be built so that the elderly can continue to contribute "voluntarily - effectively - sustainably"? Which market segments should Vietnam prioritize to develop to serve the elderly? How to combine Vietnamese family values ​​with a modern elderly care model?

At the same time, what mechanism is needed to mobilize the private sector - innovative startups - foreign direct investment to develop the silver economy? And what solutions are there regarding human resources, infrastructure, health data and technology to develop the silver economy?

With 96 quality, rich and comprehensive presentations from theory, practice, domestic and international, comrade Nguyen Xuan Thang said that the scientific conference not only discussed the basic issues of silver economy in our country but also proposed and recommended to the country's leadership agencies new policies and decisions on a field that is still quite new, not yet achieved comprehensiveness and completeness in understanding and practice among theorists and decision makers in practice.

Shift from reactive to adaptive thinking

Discussing at the workshop, the majority of delegates said that we need to shift from a reactive mindset to a proactive adaptive mindset, from a policy of "support" to "promoting and developing" the elderly population.

Vice Chairman of the National Assembly Le Minh Hoan affirmed: In the silver economy, the elderly are both beneficiaries and active and proactive contributors.

The Vice Chairman of the National Assembly also proposed that it is necessary to develop a national strategy on silver economy, include this content in the socio-economic development strategy and population action program, issue a system of standards and regulations for products and services friendly to the elderly, and set specific targets for the contribution ratio of silver economy.

Focus on exploiting knowledge and labor resources, designing part-time job programs, consulting and advising retirees, establishing a network of "knowledge clubs" and "senior clubs" for the elderly to share experiences and guide the younger generation in starting a business, connecting multiple generations in educational programs, preserving culture and developing the community.

Diversify capital sources and incentive mechanisms, mobilize socialized capital, voluntary pension funds to develop services, reduce taxes for businesses and cooperatives providing products and services for the elderly, prioritize credit for tourism, healthcare, and housing projects suitable for the elderly...

Chairman of the Vietnam Association of the Elderly Nguyen Thanh Binh said: "Silver economy" or 'Silver hair economy' is not a new term in the world, especially in countries that are ahead in the process of population aging. But for Vietnam, this is a new and difficult problem, with many different approaches, especially when linking the role of the elderly with the task of developing the country's economy.

Vietnam is entering a period of rapid population aging, unprecedented in its history. In 2025, the number of elderly people (aged 60 and over) will account for over 14% of the population; it is forecasted that within another decade (by 2036), Vietnam will officially become a country with an aging population.

Editor-in-Chief of Communist Magazine Hoang Trung Dung analyzed that this is an inevitable trend, "an irreversible trend", posing many new and complex issues in development orientation, management organization methods, and determining socio-economic development models at the national policy and strategy level.

Currently, Vietnam's policy system is mainly focused on social security, health care and support for the elderly, while not focusing on exploiting the intelligence, experience and economic potential of this potential population group.

Therefore, it is necessary to clarify the overall legal framework and policies on silver economic development; the legal framework and policies, conditions to ensure the formation of a specialized market for products and services aimed at the elderly; the legal framework and policies, conditions to ensure the promotion of human resources for the silver economic; the legal framework and policies, conditions to ensure investment, infrastructure development and digital technology to serve society...

According to nhandan.vn

Source: https://huengaynay.vn/chinh-tri-xa-hoi/xay-dung-nen-kinh-te-bac-thich-ung-voi-gia-hoa-dan-so-nhanh-tai-viet-nam-159980.html