Promoting the role of the elderly in the capital in the new era

On the occasion of the International Day of Older Persons (October 1) and the Month of Action for the Elderly in Vietnam in 2025, Hanoi Moi Newspaper reporter had an interview with Chairman of the Hanoi Elderly Association Nguyen The Toan about the key topics and orientation of the Association's activities in the coming time, thereby further promoting the role of the elderly in the new era - the era of growth of the Capital and the country.

Set a good example in family and community

- The City Elderly Association is implementing a special project on “Promoting the role, prestige and exemplary role of the elderly in the family and community, building elegant and civilized Hanoians”. Could you please tell us the main content and objectives of the project?

Chairman of Hanoi City Elderly Association Nguyen The Toan.

- In 2025, implementing the direction of the City Party Committee and the City People's Committee, the Hanoi Association of the Elderly will focus on strongly implementing Topic No. 02/CD-HNCTHN, concretizing the spirit of Directive No. 30-CT/TU of the City Party Committee on "Strengthening the leadership of Party committees at all levels in building elegant and civilized Hanoians".

This topic focuses on two core contents: First, the elderly are exemplary in building a prosperous, progressive, happy and civilized family in the capital. Second, the elderly are exemplary in implementing the movement “Elegant and civilized Hanoians” in the community.

We identify that the elderly play an important role in transmitting experiences, values and traditions to the younger generation. Their exemplary role will have a strong influence on their children and the community. The specific targets of this topic are that 100% of commune and ward level Associations thoroughly understand the content of the topic to their branches and groups; 100% of elderly member families register to participate in building a prosperous, progressive, happy and civilized family in the capital.

- In addition, Topic No. 01/CD-HNCTHN "Promoting the role of the elderly in implementing civilized and progressive funeral lifestyle" is also of special interest to the Association. Could you please tell us why the Association chose this topic?

- We recognize that civilized funeral lifestyle is an important part of urban culture, especially when some bad customs and waste such as cumbersome funerals, widespread burning of votive paper, lavish eating and drinking... still exist, affecting the environment and social order. This topic is of great significance because the elderly, as heads of families and clans, have the ability to convince their children and grandchildren to organize simple, economical, civilized funerals in accordance with city regulations. Many elderly people have advised their children and grandchildren to perform cremation to save money and protect the environment. Currently, the cremation rate in the whole city has reached 82%, and the Association's goal is to increase this rate to 90%.

Eye examination for the elderly in the program "Bright eyes for the elderly".

Care and accompany the elderly

- In addition to topics on civilized lifestyle, how is the work of caring for the material and spiritual life of the city's elderly implemented, sir?

- In recent years, the work of caring for the elderly has always received special attention from the Hanoi Party Committee, People's Council and People's Committee, through preferential policies such as social subsidies, health insurance, free public transportation, etc. These policies have contributed to improving the quality of life for the elderly.

Outstanding achievements in caring for the elderly include organizing visits and giving gifts to more than 57,000 people during the Action Month for the Elderly in Vietnam in 2024, worth more than 14 billion VND. The health sector has organized health check-ups, consultations, and provided free medicine to nearly 240,000 people. In particular, the program "Bright Eyes for the Elderly" is a bright spot. Over the past 3 years, the program has examined and consulted for free for 291,556 elderly people and supported free eye surgery for 98 people in difficult circumstances.

In addition, the city also maintains and develops over 5,600 cultural, sports, and health clubs, and 532 intergenerational self-help clubs. These clubs have contributed to improving the spiritual life of the elderly. More than 65,000 members also actively participate in the work of the Party, government, the Fatherland Front, people's inspection, and grassroots mediation... contributing to strengthening the political system right from the grassroots.

- With the achieved results, what key orientations has the City Elderly Association had for the 2025-2028 period to be effective, sir?

- The 2025 Action Month for the Elderly in Vietnam has the theme “Promoting the role of the elderly in the era of national development”. We identify the core goal as mobilizing resources to care for the material and spiritual life and improve the health of the elderly, while at the same time encouraging them to promote their intelligence and experience to contribute to the development of the Capital.

The Association will continue to propagate and raise awareness of Resolution No. 72-NQ/TU of the Politburo on a number of breakthrough solutions, strengthening the protection, care and improvement of people's health; the Government's Project "Elderly people participating in digital transformation, green transformation, entrepreneurship and job creation"; continue to deploy topics on elegant and civilized Hanoians and civilized funeral lifestyle. In particular, the Association will advise the Party Committee and authorities to establish and strengthen the Elderly Association at the commune and ward levels according to the new administrative unit, ensuring the organization of the Association operates effectively, promoting the role of the elderly right from the grassroots level.

Thank you very much!

Source: https://hanoimoi.vn/phat-huy-vai-tro-nguoi-cao-tuoi-thu-do-trong-ky-nguyen-moi-717955.html