Vietnam Proposes Scholarships for Geriatrics as Population Rapidly Ages

Vietnam Insider — As Vietnam faces one of the fastest demographic transitions in Asia, a new Population Bill proposes a range of policies to strengthen elderly healthcare, including offering scholarships and tuition support for those studying geriatrics.

The draft legislation, now open for public feedback until June 12, responds to the country’s shifting demographics. Vietnam currently has around 14.2 million citizens aged 60 and above—a figure projected to reach 18 million by 2030. By 2038, the country is expected to officially enter its aging population phase.

This demographic shift presents complex challenges, particularly in healthcare. Although Vietnam boasts a relatively high life expectancy of 74.7 years, the Ministry of Health reports that elderly citizens spend an average of 14 years in poor health, often battling chronic, non-communicable diseases such as hypertension, diabetes, cardiovascular conditions, and dementia.

These conditions require ongoing treatment and place increasing pressure on the public health insurance system and state finances.

Despite a national network of over 1,300 public hospitals—more than 100 of which have dedicated geriatric departments—Vietnam has fewer than 1,800 healthcare professionals trained in geriatrics. Le Thanh Dung, Director of the Ministry of Health’s Population Department, warned that this shortfall in specialized personnel and long-term care services poses a serious challenge.

To address this, the proposed bill outlines several initiatives, including:

• Scholarships and tuition subsidies for students pursuing geriatrics;
• Specialized training programs in elderly care;
• Community-based training initiatives for healthcare workers; and
• Incentives for organizations and individuals to provide grants and scholarships.

In addition, the government plans to fully subsidize health insurance for the estimated 5% of elderly people currently without coverage.

Vietnam is not alone in confronting the implications of an aging society. Japan has implemented policies such as raising the retirement age to 65 and encouraging senior employment. The country also promotes childbirth and invests in technology-driven eldercare. Meanwhile, South Korea supports those aged 65 and above with subsidized public transport, routine health screenings, and at-home care services.

Vietnam has taken initial steps, such as gradually increasing the retirement age (to 62 for men and 60 for women starting in 2021) and offering free public transportation for seniors aged 60 and older.

However, Dung emphasizes that these are only interim solutions. He advocates for a comprehensive legal framework to institutionalize social welfare policies for the elderly, cautioning that the narrow window between population growth and aging—combined with constrained financial resources—demands urgent and systemic reforms.

“To mitigate the economic impact of an aging population and avoid labor shortages, we must implement concrete policies that ensure employment opportunities and financial security for our senior citizens,” he stated.

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Source: Vietnam Insider