Last Sunday, a central public park in HCM City gave space for rows of white palates.

The programme provided free health check-ups to 1,000 older adults. Photo courtesy of the organiser

More than 1,000 elderly people lined up there to have their health screening and consultations for free in an event entitled “Care for the Elders – For a Healthier Vietnam 2026” organised by the Vietnam Young Physicians Association (VYPA) and supported by Abbott, the global healthcare leader.

While Việt Nam has one of the fastest-growing economies in Asia, the World Bank said the country also recorded one of the world’s fastest ageing processes, with now an estimated 16 million people aged above 60, or 16 per cent of its population. Healthy ageing is becoming a shared responsibility of families, communities, healthcare professionals and organisations.

“As Việt Nam enters a period of population ageing, healthcare for the elderly aims not only to extend longevity but also to raise quality of life, maintain mobility, a positive mindset and the connection with family and the community,” Dr. Nguyễn Hữu Tú, Vice President and Secretary-General of the Vietnam Youth Physician Association, said at the event.

“Promoting proactive healthcare, regular check-ups and early prevention help change the mindset from ‘doing check-ups only when one is sick’ to actively monitoring, protecting and improving one's health,” Tú added.

The Sunday screening at Tao Đàn park targeted common non-communicable diseases, including hypertension, diabetes and cardiovascular disease, along with assessments for cancer risk and other health issues requiring early detection, the Vietnamese Government’s e-newspaper reported on Monday.

The event, staffed by physicians from nine hospitals and medical institutions in HCM City, followed similar activities held across Việt Nam in recent months as the country implements healthcare promotion policies issued by the Communist Party in September 2025 and the government this May.

Following the launch of the “Care for the Elders – For a Healthier Vietnam” initiative in Hà Nội in January, subsequent community outreach activities have reached thousands, increasingly promoting healthy ageing through a focus on muscle health, nutrition, active lifestyles and empowering older adults to maintain their independence and quality of life as they age.

The Sunday event brought health screening, nutrition counselling and preventive health education closer to older adults and their families in HCM City.

“I see that today’s event is highly meaningful, as it helps me understand more about the importance of regular health check-ups, especially in old age,” said Hà Tố Nữ, 71, a resident of HCM City. “If we can detect early abnormal signs, we can proactively monitor and intervene timely, rather than letting the issues linger until they become more serious.”

Held during the Vu Lan season – a time dedicated to filial piety, the event aims to spread a message of gratitude toward the elderly through proactive, practical care and attention, the VYPA said, referring to a Buddhist holiday in July of the lunar calendar widely observed in Việt Nam.

Treatment-to-prevention shift 

Dr. Nguyễn Hữu Tú (first from right) presents gifts to older adults attending the programme. Photo courtesy of the organiser

The VYPA-Abbott partnership supports Việt Nam's shift from treatment to prevention. Through community-based programmes, older adults gain access not only to health screening services, but also to nutrition guidance, self-health management tools and awareness of proactive healthcare, so they can take action before illness occurs.

“The programme underscores Abbott’s strong commitment to improving health and quality of life for people in Việt Nam,” said Đinh Hồng Ngọc, Public Affairs Director, Abbott in Việt Nam.

VYPA said it gave out 1,000 presents of specialised medical nutrition products such as Ensure Gold and Glucerna to the elderly people joining the screening.

Arrived in Việt Nam in 1995, Abbott has made available in the country many diversified innovative healthcare solutions and products, ranging from nutritionals and medicines to diagnostics and medical devices.

Abbott has proposed to improve care in Việt Nam for the elderly, management of diabetes and other non-communicable diseases like cancer, along with conducting other activities to raise public awareness, the Việt Nam News daily quoted a senior Abbott official as speaking at a Health Ministry meeting in October 2025.

The “Care for the Elders – For a Healthier Vietnam” programme is part of the broader Healthier Vietnam initiative launched in January 2026. The long-term effort, built on strong partnerships and collaboration, is committed to improving the quality of care, empowering healthy ageing, and advancing early detection and management of non-communicable diseases.

“Abbott is committed to raising the quality of community healthcare through technology and collaborative initiatives, while continuing to empower healthy ageing and to build a healthier, more sustainable future- a healthier Vietnam,” said Đinh Hồng Ngọc of Abbott in Vietnam.