Social security associated with sustainable development goals

With its outstanding social security policy, Da Nang city not only takes good care of people's lives but also creates a solid foundation for sustainable development goals.

The Vietnam Fatherland Front Committee of Viet An commune handed over the Great Unity house to Mr. Nguyen Van Minh's family, July 2025. Photo: TY

From the program "City of 5 no, 3 yes", "City of 4 safe" to social housing support, free job training all demonstrate a people-centered vision.

Human-centered

After more than a month of construction, the Great Unity House of Mr. Le Van Hao’s family (born 1961) in Thanh Khe ward is entering the finishing stage. The small, sturdy house has white painted walls and a corrugated iron roof that sparkles in the afternoon sun.

The joy was evident on the face of the skinny man who had experienced many losses. After years of living in a dilapidated house, having to stay up all night during the rainy season because of water leaks and cracked walls, Mr. Hao never dared to dream that one day he would live in a new, solid house like this.

His wife passed away after a long battle with cancer. His son is in his final year of college. All the burdens of life fell on the shoulders of a man in his sixties. The job of parking attendant at Tam Thuan market was hard and the income was unstable, but Mr. Hao still tried his best, just hoping to have enough to provide for his son's education.

Since he learned that the Vietnam Fatherland Front Committee and the Thanh Khe Ward Women's Union had connected with benefactors to support him with 60 million VND to build a Great Unity house, he and his father often took advantage of the end of work and school hours to help the construction workers. In addition to the money he received, he spent all his savings and borrowed more from relatives to complete the roof and floor to make the house more spacious.

“This house has been my family’s dream for many years. Now that we have a stable place to live, I can work with peace of mind, and my son can focus on his studies,” Mr. Hao said emotionally.

According to the Vietnam Fatherland Front Committee of the city, from 2024 to June 2025, the Danang "For the Poor" Fund mobilized nearly 63 billion VND to support the construction and repair of 862 Great Unity houses and help with livelihoods for tens of thousands of poor households. Along with that, repairing and building 3,564 new houses with a total cost of more than 145 billion VND from the Program to eliminate temporary and dilapidated houses.

Mr. Le Tri Thanh, Chairman of the Vietnam Fatherland Front Committee of Da Nang City, said that currently, social security programs and programs to care for people's lives are widely deployed by member organizations. Many programs such as "Godmother", "Social Security Bag", "Zero-VND Market" or activities to support the disadvantaged in natural disasters and epidemics continue to be maintained, clearly demonstrating the role of the political system in accompanying and taking people as the center.

Enhance people's autonomy

Besides fully implementing the Central government's poverty reduction policy, the city has implemented many separate programs rich in humanity.

For example, in the 2021-2025 period, Da Nang's multidimensional poverty line will continue to increase by VND500,000/person/month compared to the central standard, helping thousands of poor and near-poor households have more opportunities to access support policies on housing, health care, education and employment.

In addition, from July 2024, the support level for house construction will be increased to 80 million VND/house, repair 30 million VND/house and reduce 60% of apartment rent for poor households. In particular, cases of special difficulty will be exempted from rent.

To link social security with sustainable development goals, Da Nang focuses on improving people's autonomy, especially vulnerable groups. Many vocational training, job introduction, and start-up programs linked to the actual needs of the labor market are implemented synchronously and effectively.

Ms. Nguyen Thi Minh, resident of Hoi An ward, said that thanks to participating in an industrial sewing class organized by the City Women's Union in coordination with the Employment Service Center, she has a stable job at a garment factory near her home with an income of more than 8 million VND/month.

“Before, I only worked seasonally, with an unstable income. After the course, I was hired to work at a garment factory serving tourists. The steady work and stable income helped me to take care of my children’s education,” Ms. Minh shared.

From 2021 to present, the "Godmother" program has mobilized and connected to sponsor 2,588 orphans in difficult circumstances, with a total budget of more than 80 billion VND.

Ms. Hoang Thi Thu Huong, President of the City Women's Union, said that the special feature of the "Godmother" program is the spiritual companionship, helping children overcome their inferiority complex and confidently excel in their studies and life. Each "mother" is a loving heart, a support for children to feel the warmth of the community.

Groups of single women, people with disabilities, the elderly and self-employed are also given special attention by the city in its long-term social security strategy. A series of livelihood models have been formed and replicated, creating conditions for disadvantaged people to have the opportunity to rise up and be independent in their lives.

According to Ms. Hoang Thi Thu Huong, social security is not only the responsibility of the State but also the joint effort of the whole society. Therefore, in addition to the budget, the association always focuses on mobilizing social resources, encouraging businesses, organizations and individuals to participate in community programs.

In the context of having to expand coverage and facing many difficulties in people's lives, Da Nang is continuing to adjust social security solutions to suit the new situation.

Mr. Huynh Ba Thanh, Vice Chairman of the City Veterans Association, said that Da Nang needs to review all social security programs and policies of Da Nang City (old) and Quang Nam Province (old) to identify similarities and differences, and then make appropriate adjustments and supplements. In particular, it is necessary to shorten the gap between mountainous and rural areas and inner-city areas so that all people can equally benefit from development policies.

“The city needs to create opportunities for people in remote, mountainous areas to have access to education, health care, infrastructure and sustainable jobs like people in the central area. When this gap is narrowed, sustainable development will truly have comprehensive meaning,” Mr. Thanh emphasized.

Source: https://baodanang.vn/an-sinh-gan-voi-muc-tieu-phat-trien-ben-vung-3306067.html