A Nation Growing Old Fast
Vietnam faces a defining public health challenge. Its population is aging rapidly, and the systems built to support older adults are struggling to keep pace. Rising life expectancy, a growing burden of chronic disease, and serious gaps in geriatric services are converging into a crisis that touches families, hospitals, and society alike.
According to the Vietnam Association of Geriatrics, Vietnam ranks among the world’s fastest-aging nations. Currently, around 17 million elderly people live in the country, making up 16 percent of the population. Moreover, projections show this figure climbing to 20.9 million by 2034, 27.5 million by 2044, and a staggering 38.5 million by 2074. Consequently, pressure on healthcare and social welfare systems will only intensify in the decades ahead.
The Human Cost: One Family’s Story
Behind every statistic is a family navigating an exhausting reality. Le Thi Hong Thuy, 86, lives in Dong Nai province. Her four children — all retirees — struggle daily to coordinate her care. As her cognitive health declines, disagreements over caregiving schedules have turned a support system into a source of emotional pain.
Her daughter, Le Thi Nguyet, 62, describes the toll clearly. “In recent years, life has revolved around illness,” she said. “My siblings blame me for my mother’s condition, which is deeply hurtful. Old age and illness are emotionally exhausting.”
This story is far from unique. Across Vietnam, families face similar dilemmas — wanting to care for aging parents but lacking the time, training, and resources to manage complex needs.
Rising Life Expectancy, Declining Healthy Years
Vietnam’s average life expectancy has climbed impressively — from 65.5 years in 1993 to 74.7 years in 2025, surpassing many countries at similar income levels. However, much of this additional lifespan involves poor health. Healthy years have not kept pace with longer lives, and the gap is widening.
As a result, chronic disease burdens grow heavier with age. According to Pham Duc Muc, Chairman of the Vietnam Nurses Association, older adults in Vietnam live with an average of 2.7 chronic conditions. Those over 80 typically manage four to five simultaneous illnesses. Furthermore, healthcare costs for older adults run two to three times higher than for younger populations. With limited income, many elderly individuals depend heavily on health insurance and social assistance — yet remain vulnerable to prolonged and costly medical expenses.
Gaps in Geriatric Care Services
Too Few Facilities for Too Many Needs
Despite rapid population aging, Vietnam’s eldercare infrastructure remains critically underdeveloped. Nationwide, just over 40 nursing homes and social protection centers provide professional elderly care. This number falls far short of the needs of approximately 17 million older adults.
As a result, hospitals face overcrowding while families absorb the burden of home-based care. Many families seek institutional options but find both availability and affordability out of reach. Therefore, a large share of elderly individuals still rely on family members or self-care — neither of which is adequate for complex medical needs.
The Human Resource Crisis in Geriatrics
Vietnam currently runs three formal geriatric training programs — at Hanoi Medical University, Hue University of Medicine and Pharmacy, and the University of Medicine and Pharmacy at Ho Chi Minh City. The National Geriatric Hospital leads treatment, rehabilitation, and training at the national level.
Nevertheless, significant human resource gaps persist. Geriatrics remains an emerging field with limited investment. Even where geriatric departments exist at provincial hospitals, the quality of care varies widely. Many healthcare workers lack specialized training, which raises the risk of diagnostic and treatment errors.
Medical care for older adults requires careful adjustment. Standard prescriptions designed for younger patients can pose serious risks if doctors do not account for age-related changes in liver and kidney function. Beyond physicians, shortages also extend to nurses and trained caregivers. In practice, most elderly care still falls to family members or untrained domestic workers — a fragile and often insufficient arrangement.
The Three Pillars Left Unaddressed
Experts identify three core pillars of effective geriatric care: disease prevention, rehabilitation, and mental health support. Regrettably, all three remain inadequately addressed in Vietnam today.
Vietnam is, as health professionals describe it, “growing old before it becomes wealthy.” Traditional multi-generational family structures are changing fast. Smaller households, increased rural-to-urban migration, and economic pressures make home-based care harder to sustain. As a consequence, many older adults face not only physical illness but also loneliness and social isolation — risks that compound their vulnerability significantly.
Addressing this challenge requires urgent action. Investment in geriatric training, expansion of care facilities, and stronger social welfare frameworks are all essential. Without these, Vietnam’s aging population will continue to strain a system that is already under enormous pressure.
