Delegates discuss solutions to adapt to Việt Nam's ageing population. — VNS Photo Thu Trang

HÀ NỘI — Population ageing is a trend that is unfolding strongly across the world and is becoming increasingly evident in Việt Nam, experts told a workshop in Hà Nội on Friday.

During discussions at the workshop 'Youth adapting to population ageing in Việt Nam', experts agreed that alongside the challenges posed to the workforce, social welfare and health care, it also presents an opportunity to promote policy innovation, develop the silver economy and strengthen intergenerational solidarity.

The event was organised by the Central Committee of the Hồ Chí Minh Communist Youth Union, in coordination with the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) in Việt Nam.

It is an important activity under the Project VNM10P07, aiming to create a forum for managers, experts, international organisations, localities and young people to exchange experiences, share practices and propose solutions to promote the role of the youth in adapting to population ageing.

Nguyễn Thiên Tú, director of the Việt Nam Youth Support Centre and Project VNM10P07, told the workshop: “Establishing a system of adaptive solutions will lay the foundation for building appropriate policy frameworks and growth models at the macro level.

"It will also enable the Youth Union to be more flexible in its approach and in implementing movement-based activities, to participate more effectively in policy critique and contributions relating to youth and population."

Nguyễn Thiên Tú, director of the Việt Nam Youth Support Centre, speaks at the workshop. — VNS Photo Thu Trang

Tú believes it will help each Youth Union member to orientate their career development, personal finances and family and social responsibilities.

“Adapting to population ageing is not only the responsibility of State management agencies, but requires the participation of society as a whole, with young people playing a particularly important role,” Tú added.

Young people are not only a force that accompanies and cares for older persons, but also a generation that needs to proactively prepare for its own future.

“Equipping oneself from a young age with knowledge, skills, a healthy lifestyle, occupational competence, physical health, mental well-being and financial management skills will help each person work towards a healthy and happy old age, with a better quality of life,” he said.

At the same time, young people are also a pioneering force in innovation, digital transformation and the development of models and initiatives serving older persons.

“Việt Nam is experiencing demographic change at an unprecedented pace," said Matt Jackson, UNFPA Representative in Việt Nam

"As a rapidly ageing country with its largest ever cohort of young people, Việt Nam is looking ahead to big opportunities yet also needs to urgently prepare for the future needs of its changing population demographics.”

He believes that people are living longer, which shows strong progress in health and development.

“To turn this progress into wider social and economic benefits, we need to act early and keep up our efforts throughout life," he said.

"This includes supporting healthy ageing, strengthening financial security and improving care, social protection and age-inclusive communities."

Investing in the physical and mental health, financial capacity and life skills of young people provides a solid foundation for a future generation who are healthy, self-reliant, and happy.

“Preparing young people today is investing in the sustainable prosperity of Việt Nam tomorrow. At the same time, adapting to population ageing is a shared responsibility across all generations and institutions,” he added.

Solutions

Matt Jackson, UNFPA Representative in Việt Nam, suggests expanding models that inspire young people to pursue continuous learning and take ownership of their own ageing journeys. — VNS Photo Thu Trang

To build on the results achieved so far and to strengthen solutions for adapting to population ageing in Việt Nam, Jackson recommended to strengthen investments in youth by systematically integrating sexual and reproductive health, financial literacy and long-term planning for active ageing into national youth development frameworks.

“We encourage education systems to embed demographic literacy and life-course planning into school and university curricula – equipping young people with the insights needed to adapt to population ageing,” he said.

Việt Nam can lead the way by fostering youth-led innovation in the care economy, establishing targeted funds and incubator partnerships that empower young entrepreneurs to build scalable solutions for building an inclusive silver economy.

“Cultivate an enabling environment for lifelong preparedness, expanding models that inspire young people to pursue continuous learning and take ownership of their own ageing journeys,” said Jackson.

Adapting to these trends requires whole-of-society engagement, bringing together government agencies, civil society, the private sector and youth organisations to expand health, learning, and employment opportunities across all generations.

“We urge our partners, particularly the Hồ Chí Minh Communist Youth Union, to sustain and scale up digital empowerment tools – ensuring that every young person, regardless of location, is included in this vital journey,” he said.

Director Tú affirmed that in the future, the management board of Project VNM10P07 and the Việt Nam Youth Support Centre will continue to work closely with the UNFPA in Viet Nam and with other partners to step up communications to raise young people’s awareness of population ageing and population policies.

They will develop initiatives and replicate youth-led models that participate in caring for and supporting older persons in the community; and promote the silver economy.

In addition, strengthening policy dialogue and promoting youth participation in the formulation and implementation of policies related to population and development. — VNS