Ho Chi Minh City's Department of Health announced its plan for longevity celebrations and gift presentations for the elderly in 2026. This initiative is based on the Law on the Elderly and Resolution 57 of the Ho Chi Minh City People's Council, which specifies the spending levels for longevity gifts within the city.

The primary focus is on individuals between 90 and 100 years old. Specifically, those turning 100 will receive 2,3 million VND, along with a congratulatory card from the State President, a golden khan, a frame for the card, and silk fabric. These presentations will be held ceremoniously, with city leaders personally visiting and congratulating exemplary centenarians at their homes.

The golden khan for longevity celebrations is allocated 0,08 tael of 24K gold per piece. The cost for engraving text, printing images on the khan, and the frame is capped at 1,5 million VND per piece.

Researcher Nguyen Dinh Tu, born in 1920, at the Tet Book Street 2025. Photo: Quynh Tran

Individuals turning 90 will receive 1,8 million VND, along with a longevity congratulatory certificate signed by the Chairman of the Ho Chi Minh City People's Committee and a celebratory frame. For those with poor health, gifts will be delivered to their homes. Eligible elderly residents may also attend centralized longevity ceremonies at commune and ward People's Committees.

In addition to the 90-100 age group, the city will also celebrate those reaching 70, 75, 80, and 85 years old. Individuals aged 70 and 75 will receive 800,000 VND, while those aged 80 and 85 will receive 1,2 million VND.

Beyond the peak Lunar New Year period, longevity celebrations will also occur on Vietnamese Elderly Day (6/6) and International Day of Older Persons (1/10) for any cases not previously addressed.

The review of the elderly population list is led by commune-level People's Committees, in coordination with the Elderly Association and local police. This process cross-references data from the National Population Database to ensure no eligible individuals are overlooked. Lists of those turning 90 and 100 are compiled and sent to the Department of Health, then submitted to the Ho Chi Minh City People's Committee for signing longevity certificates or for requesting congratulatory cards from the Office of the State President.

According to the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Health, by the end of 2025, the city is projected to have approximately 1,6 million elderly residents, accounting for nearly 11% of its population. This makes Ho Chi Minh City the locality with the fastest aging population rate nationwide.

Alongside longevity celebrations for the elderly, Ho Chi Minh City plans to allocate over 2.3 billion VND from its budget this Tet to support the material, spiritual, and health well-being of its residents. Political-social organizations under the Ho Chi Minh City Fatherland Front Committee are implementing numerous support programs. Workers and laborers will receive assistance totaling over 3.4 billion VND, with the Ho Chi Minh City Confederation of Labor contributing over 400 billion VND.

Le Tuyet