This year’s Action Month for the Elderly focuses on helping lonely and disadvantaged elderly people. Movements mobilizing the public to care for the elderly and recognize their role and contributions to society have been carried out nationwide at all levels. A number of Elderly Clubs have been set up to encourage the elderly to participate in sports, cultural, and mutual support activities. Dam Huu Dac is Vice Chairman of the Vietnam Elderly Association: “One of the Association’s activities is to benefit from the wisdom of elderly people. There are more than 70,000 Elderly Clubs nationwide involving 3 million people. Through culture and sport activities they improve their health. The elderly are encouraged to participate in social activities including environmental protection and rural development.”

Dak Lak province recently presented 800 gifts worth 17,000 USD to local elders. Elderly Associations have organized cultural and sports activities. Nguyen Cong Chinh is Head of the Elderly Association of Buon Ma Thuot city: “We organized a city sport festival that involved 700 athletes in 4 sports: Chinese chess, badminton, table tennis, and taichi. We raised funds to help disadvantaged elderly people.”

The Elderly Association of Tuyen Quang province organized medical exams and consultation for local elderly people, particularly social policy beneficiaries and disadvantaged elders.