Chronic diseases surge among Việt Nam's elderly as lifestyles shift
The number of seniors in Việt Nam suffering from long-term health conditions has climbed sharply in recent years. Once dominated by infectious illnesses, the health challenges facing older adults have shifted towards chronic diseases. Conditions like diabetes, high blood pressure and heart disease now affect over a third of those aged 60 and above.
Between 2020 and 2025, the share of elderly Vietnamese living with non-communicable chronic diseases jumped from around 25% to 35%. This rise stems from an ageing population, urbanisation, and changes in lifestyle. Poor diets, contaminated food, fast food, and prolonged stress have worsened the problem. Most seniors now live with at least two chronic conditions requiring lifelong care.
In response, the government launched the National NCD Prevention and Control Program (2021–2025, later extended to 2030). By 2024, 80% of communes had trained community health workers to support early detection and treatment. Universal health insurance subsidies now cover 90% of elderly patients needing NCD medications. Access to treatment improved from 60% to 75% coverage, though rural areas still face gaps.
The 2023 Healthy Aging initiative, backed by the World Health Organization, further expanded support. Over 500 geriatric clinics were set up nationwide to provide specialised care. Despite these efforts, healthcare costs for seniors remain seven to eight times higher than for children, straining household budgets.
Common conditions include hypertension, diabetes, heart disease, osteoarthritis, and cancer. Mental health issues like depression, cognitive decline, and memory loss also affect many. While average life expectancy now exceeds 73.6 years, healthy life expectancy lags behind at just 65.4 years.
Early diagnosis and consistent treatment remain critical to managing chronic diseases in Việt Nam's elderly. The government's expanded programs have increased access to care, but financial and rural access challenges persist. With the population continuing to age, the demand for long-term health services is expected to grow further.
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