Vietnam rolls out free annual health checks for elderly and aims universal NCD care by 2030

Vietnam's government has intensified its long‑term health strategy. Deputy Prime Minister Phạm Thị Thanh Trà signed Decision 1116/QĐ‑TTg, amending the 2030 Elderly Care Programme. Starting in 2026, all seniors will receive a free annual health examination or screening, with the aim that by 2030 at least 90 % of elderly people have non‑communicable diseases such as cancer, heart disease, hypertension, diabetes, chronic obstructive lung disease, and dementia detected, treated and managed. The plan also calls for every commune or ward to host a seniors‑care club and volunteer team, to pilot daytime elderly‑care centres in at least 20 % of localities, and to ensure every province has a geriatric or multi‑specialty hospital.

In parallel, the Ministry of Health set a complementary target that by 2030 all health stations nationwide will be equipped to manage and treat non‑communicable diseases. The ministry’s broader directives include digitalisation, quality improvement in diagnosis and treatment, and stricter oversight of medical products, reinforcing the government's shift from treatment‑centric to preventive, community‑based health care for an aging population.