Elderly Healthcare Services in Vietnam are Evolving into Preventive Care

With the extension of average life expectancy and the spread of chronic diseases in Vietnam, healthcare services are undergoing a transformation from a treatment-oriented approach toward preventive care and regular health check-ups. Within the framework of Resolution No. 72-NQ/TW, electronic health records are being provided to elderly citizens, while the city of Can Tho achieved a health check-up rate of approximately 71 percent as of September 2026.

While there are approximately 16.5 million elderly people across Vietnam, the average life expectancy is recorded at 74.5 years. However, the fact that the number of years the elderly live in good health is about 64 years indicates that individuals have to live with illnesses for an average of 10 years. According to a 2022 study by the Health Strategy and Policy Institute, each elderly individual suffers from 2 to 3 chronic diseases that require long-term monitoring and treatment. In response to this picture, the Politburo's Resolution No. 72-NQ/TW, which stipulates free health check-ups for all citizens at least once a year, and the Government's Action Program have been put into practice. The Ministry of Health has implemented application roadmaps that identify the elderly as the highest priority group.