Changing Lives of the Elderly in Vietnam
On a sweltering June afternoon, a 70-year-old woman named Hoa set her basket of cakes on the sidewalk by Hanoi’s Tri Tric River. With a reflective gaze, she pointed across the street and said, “That used to be my home.”
Having lost her husband 50 years ago, Hoa raised her two sons alone. As they grew up and started their own families, she decided to transfer her 70-square-meter piece of land to them, hoping they would build their houses and allow her to enjoy her twilight years in peace.
However, the pandemic brought unexpected turmoil. Her sons faced significant financial troubles, leading them to sell their home to settle debts. The family’s situation deteriorated, causing them to live apart. To avoid being a burden during their struggles, Hoa rented a small room and turned into a street vendor for her livelihood.
Every morning, she sets up her stall in front of what was once her home, then moves to a nearby school gate in the afternoon. On a fairly good day, she manages to earn about VND 200,000 (around US$8). Lately, rising rent costs forced her to leave her room and stay with relatives instead.
“I’m saving for the future so my kids don’t have to worry about me,” she reflects.
Meanwhile, there’s Mr. Tuan, 90, from Nghe An Province. Following a stroke in 2019, he has had limited mobility and struggles to care for himself. His only asset is a modest house, and without a pension or savings, he lives on a meager monthly allowance of VND 500,000 (approximately $19) along with some income from renting rice fields.
In June, his nine children reached an agreement to take turns caring for him, each responsible for one month at a time. The eldest son had been looking after him since 2019 as part of a family arrangement concerning the ancestral home, but disagreements over the property led to this temporary solution.
After their father passes away, the house will be divided among his heirs. For Mr. Tuan, moving from one child’s house to another every month is not just about packing his belongings. His children understand the strain this puts on him.
“This is a last resort,” the eldest son admits.
Filial Piety and Changing Family Dynamics
Both Hoa and Tuan are learning that having children doesn’t always guarantee support in old age.
Traditionally, Vietnamese families lived together across generations, with parents holding authority over land and property. Children were expected to care for their parents as they aged, essentially functioning as a social safety net.
Yet, the landscape is shifting. Vietnam has one of the fastest-aging populations globally, with nearly 15 million elderly today. The Bureau of Statistics predicts that number could rise to 18 million by 2030 and 21.5 million by 2035, adding about 700,000 elderly individuals each year.
Professor Giang Thanh Long from the National Economics University noted that the current social protection system in Vietnam isn’t equipped to handle these changes.
“While coverage is slowly expanding and more people are receiving benefits, the level of these benefits remains insufficient for a decent quality of life,” he explains.
The traditional model of three-generation households is fading. According to a United Nations Population Fund report from 2021, approximately 4.5 million elderly individuals in Vietnam either live alone or in households devoid of entire generations.
The 2022 Vietnam Aging Survey revealed that nearly 60% of the elderly rely on income from their own labor or help from their children, while pensions and social assistance account for just 15%. Over 10 million elderly individuals are excluded from formal support systems, often depending on limited savings, jobs, and family aid, with more than 60% still working, mainly in agriculture and informal sectors.
The decline in traditional support systems for the elderly resonates with trends observed in other parts of Asia, such as Japan, South Korea, and China, where expectations for adult children to support their parents are gradually diminishing.
Dr. Kumarashvari Subramaniam from the British University of Vietnam attributes this to urban migration, declining birth rates, and increasing living expenses, making total dependency on children less feasible.
Preparing for Financial Independence
Tuyet Hong, an 86-year-old from Hanoi’s Truong My district, proactively secured her financial future long before retirement. She pays VND 7 million monthly for care at a nursing home, funded through her VND 3.5 million pension, personal savings, and money from selling her house.
“I decided early on that I’d take care of myself in my old age,” she states confidently.
Subramaniam argues that financial independence in retirement can actually strengthen family bonds, as studies indicate that older adults who manage their finances tend to be more optimistic and resilient.
Takanori Hisaoka, CEO of Japan’s Kirameki-kai Social Welfare Group, points out that the trends of urbanization and smaller household sizes weaken the ability of adults to care for aging parents. Japan has already transitioned through this phase, and Vietnam is now following suit.
Although Vietnam still lacks comprehensive elderly care services, experts stress the importance of maintaining traditional values. They advocate for a supportive network that complements families, integrating community care systems like day services and home visits. This model centers on family while allowing adult children to balance care with work commitments.
Clinical psychologist Dr. La Lin Nga emphasizes that raising children with love rather than obligation fosters gratitude, leading to mutual support across generations.
Even amid her challenges, Hoa seldom complains. She sees both hardship and joy as parts of life’s journey. While many of her customers show kindness and offer her extra money, she prefers to return the change.
“Accepting even a little means you owe them,” she remarks, carefully counting the 15,000 dong received from a customer.
*Some names have been changed.
