The elderly are a precious asset of the nation, like banyan trees and fig trees provide shade for the countryside.

On the morning of September 27, the Central Committee of the Vietnam Association of the Elderly chaired and coordinated with the Ministry of Health and the Military Bank to organize the launching ceremony of the Action Month for the Elderly in 2025; deploying the humanitarian program "Bright eyes for the elderly" for the period 2025-2028,

Delegates perform the ceremony to launch the humanitarian program "Bright eyes for the elderly" for the period 2025-2028. Photo: Bao Lam

Attending the event were Politburo member, Party Central Committee Secretary, Chairman of the Central Committee of the Vietnam Fatherland Front Do Van Chien; Deputy Prime Minister Le Thanh Long, Chairman of the Vietnam National Committee on Aging.

In his opening speech, Chairman of the Central Committee of the Vietnam Association of the Elderly Nguyen Thanh Binh emphasized: This year, the United Nations has chosen the theme of the International Day of Older Persons as "Older people promote local and global action", sending a strong message of "Our aspirations - Our well-being - Our rights". The theme and message suggest many new issues for the work of the elderly, notably the pillars of macro policies and strategic vision for the elderly.

Over the years, the Vietnam Association of the Elderly has constantly innovated and created, thanks to the close coordination of all levels, sectors, organizations, individuals, businesses and international organizations, so the work for the elderly has become increasingly practical, achieving encouraging results. In the past 3 years, the Association has mobilized 954 billion VND in funding to directly support the elderly in difficult circumstances; coordinated with many hospitals to organize health examinations and consultations for more than 3 million elderly people, and continued to implement the humanitarian program "Bright eyes for the elderly".

Chairman of the Central Committee of the Vietnam Association of the Elderly Nguyen Thanh Binh speaks. *Photo: Bao Lam*

The Chairman of the Central Committee of the Vietnam Association of the Elderly said: Currently, there are more than 1 million elderly people actively participating in work in villages, hamlets, and residential groups; there are more than 9 million elderly people directly participating in labor, production, and business, many of whom have been awarded the title of Labor Hero in the renovation period. There are more than 9,000 intergenerational self-help clubs in villages and hamlets; there are 91,000 cultural - artistic - sports and health clubs, attracting 9 million people to participate in exciting activities.

The humanitarian program "Bright eyes for the elderly" has achieved good results with 3,618,930 elderly people being examined and consulted about eye diseases; 541,571 people being treated for eye diseases, having their lenses replaced; 258,000 people being given glasses to improve their vision. The total amount of money spent for free is over 513 billion VND. This is a noble gesture, with profound humanity...

Speaking at the ceremony, Chairman of the Central Committee of the Vietnam Fatherland Front Do Van Chien affirmed that the elderly are a precious asset of the nation, like the banyan tree or the banyan tree that provides shade in the countryside, a support for their children and grandchildren; a treasure trove of experience and a model of humanity for future generations to follow.

Chairman of the Central Committee of the Vietnam Fatherland Front Do Van Chien speaks. *Photo: Bao Lam*

Many outstanding examples of the elderly in all fields: production and business, preserving and promoting national cultural identity, humanitarian and charitable activities, and the movement to protect national security have been recognized by the Party, State, and society.

Emphasizing that the spirit of the Dien Hong conference in 1284 will forever be the pride of the nation and the quintessence of Vietnamese culture, comrade Do Van Chien affirmed that our Party and State always pay attention to protecting, caring for, honoring and promoting the elderly's knowledge, experience and prestige according to their abilities, continuing to contribute to the revolutionary cause of the Party, society and family.

Thoroughly grasping the direction of General Secretary To Lam: "The elderly are precious assets, the tall trees of the nation. Caring for and promoting the role of the elderly is the responsibility of the entire Party, the entire people and the entire army", Comrade Do Van Chien emphasized that we not only care for the elderly to live happily, healthily and joyfully, but also create conditions for them to continue to contribute ideas and inspire the younger generation, contributing to building a rich, beautiful, humane and modern society.

Chairman of the Central Committee of the Vietnam Fatherland Front Do Van Chien, Deputy Prime Minister Le Thanh Long, Chairman of the Central Committee of the Vietnam Association of the Elderly Nguyen Thanh Binh presented gifts to seniors aged 90 to 100. *Photo: Bao Lam*

Comrade Do Van Chien requested Party committees, authorities at all levels, ministries, sectors, social organizations and individuals to implement key contents: Proactively review and evaluate the results of implementing legal policies on the elderly; Project for the elderly to participate in promoting digital transformation, green transformation, start-ups and job creation. Thereby, advising on amending and supplementing the 2009 Law on the Elderly and proposing appropriate mechanisms and policies to care for and protect the elderly to have an increasingly better material and spiritual life.

In particular, he mentioned the new nursing home model based on Korean experience (bringing the elderly in the morning and picking them up in the afternoon or bringing them in at the beginning of the week and picking them up at the end of the week), which is both meaningful and affectionate, with children and grandchildren having the opportunity to work and the elderly having the opportunity to interact and participate in activities.

The Chairman of the Central Committee of the Vietnam Fatherland Front called on organizations and individuals at home and abroad to join hands and contribute resources to the humanitarian program "Bright eyes for the elderly" and the cause of protecting, caring for, and promoting the role of the elderly; practically helping the elderly in poor, near-poor, disadvantaged households, border areas, islands, and ethnic minority areas.

"The elders, uncles, and seniors across the country continue to promote the tradition of old age and exemplary behavior, accompanying the entire Party, people, and army in the cause of building and defending the socialist Vietnamese Fatherland, contributing to building our country strong, prosperous, civilized, and happy in the new era," he expressed his confidence.

Free eye exams for seniors participating in the program. Photo: Bao Lam

At the program, the Organizing Committee launched the App "Bright Eyes for the Elderly"; presented gifts to 10 elderly people from 90 to 100 years old. In addition, the Organizing Committee also organized free eye examinations for the elderly participating in the program.

Source: https://hanoimoi.vn/nguoi-cao-tuoi-la-von-quy-cua-dan-toc-nhu-cay-da-cay-de-bong-mat-cua-lang-que-717514.html