Recent discussions have highlighted the provinces in Vietnam that are excelling in providing social pension support. As of now, the standard social pension amount is set at 500,000 VND per person per month. However, several provinces have taken proactive measures to increase this amount, thereby improving the quality of life for their elderly residents.

According to the Ministry of Health, five provinces and cities are currently offering social pension amounts that exceed the national standard. Leading the charge are Hai Phong and Quang Ninh, both providing a monthly pension of 700,000 VND. Following closely are Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, which offer 650,000 VND per month, while Tuyen Quang provides 530,000 VND.

Under current regulations, starting from July 1, 2025, individuals aged 75 and above who do not receive a pension or monthly social insurance benefit will qualify for the social pension of 500,000 VND per month. Additionally, those aged 70 to under 75 who belong to poor or near-poor households are also eligible for this support.

Beyond the monthly pension, recipients of social pensions are entitled to free health insurance cards and assistance with funeral expenses upon passing. Furthermore, beginning January 1, 2026, individuals aged 75 and older receiving social pensions will have 100% of their medical expenses covered by the health insurance fund, within the scope of their entitlements.

The Ministry of Health estimates that in 2025, approximately 2.5 million elderly individuals will receive social pensions, with a total expenditure of nearly 7 trillion VND from the state budget. Despite these efforts, the current pension amount of 500,000 VND per month is still considered insufficient to meet the basic living needs of the elderly. Therefore, the Ministry has proposed an increase in the nationwide pension amount to 540,000 VND per month, effective from July 1, 2026, to further enhance social security for this demographic.