Party chief hails elderly association for five-year achievements

Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong hailed the Vietnam Association of the Elderly (VAE) for their achievements over the past five years during a meeting in Hanoi on January 13 with delegates to the sixth National Congress of the VAE.

Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong at the meeting (Photo: VNA)
Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong at the meeting (Photo: VNA)

He asked the VAE to uphold its crucial role in the campaign “All people care for, uphold role of the elderly”, towards bringing healthy and happy lives to aged persons in their families and the society.

The leader suggested the sixth National Congress of the VAE discuss in depth how to implement policies for the elderly as mentioned in the Resolution adopted by the 13th National Party Congress.

He noted that the VAE needs to popularise the results of its Congress among the elderly and promptly grasp wishes and aspirations of the elderly, especially those in disadvantaged situation.

The VAE should strongly promote the role of senior citizens in building the Party and administrations, fighting corruption and negative behaviours, ensuring political security and social safety and order, he said, adding that it should also work closely with the Vietnam Fatherland Front and mass organisations to monitor the implementation of the Law on the Elderly, the National Action Programme on the Elderly, and other policies for the elderly, as well as serve as a bridge between the Party and people.

Ministries, agencies and local authorities were urged to raise their sense of responsibility for caring for the elderly and direct the effective implementation of Party and State policies on the elderly in the cause of national construction and defence.

VAE Chairwoman Pham Thi Hai Chuyen said the VAE has so far grouped 9.7 million members with chapters in all townships and communes. The association's patriotic emulation campaign drew millions of senior citizens and 650,000 members joined in social work at the grassroots level.

As many as 365,000 old persons nationwide were honoured for their business successes. More than 3,000 self-help clubs led by the elderly made considerable contributions to poverty reduction. They also joined in combating social vices, protecting border areas and maintaining national cultural identity, she added.