Who is considered an elderly? Rights and obligations of the elderly in Vietnam

Who is considered an elderly? Rights and obligations of the elderly in Vietnam (Internet image)

1. Who is considered an elderly?

According to the provisions of Article 2 of the Law on Elderly 2009, the elderly are Vietnamese citizens aged full 60 or over.

2. Rights and obligations of the elderly in Vietnam

Rights and obligations of the elderly are specified in Article 3 of the Law on Elderly 2009 as follows:

- The elderly have the following rights:

+ To be guaranteed with basic food, clothing, lodging, movement and healthcare needs;

+ To decide to live with their children, grandchildren or to live separately at their own will;

+ To be given priority in the use of services under the Law on Elderly 2009 and other relevant laws:

+ To be provided with conditions to participate in cultural, educational, physical training, sports, entertainment, tourist and recreation activities;

+ To be provided with conditions to work in suitability to their health and professions and other conditions in order to bring into full play their role;

+ To be exempt from contributions to social activities, except voluntary contributions;

+ To be given priority in the receipt of relief in cash or in kind, healthcare and lodgings with a view to overcoming initial difficulties when they meet with difficulties due to consequences of natural disasters or other force majeure circumstances;

+ To join in the Vietnam Elderly Association under the Association's charter;

+ Other rights defined by law.

- The elderly have the following obligations:

+ To set bright examples in moral quality and lifestyles: to educate young generations to preserve and promote the fine traditions of the nation; to be exemplary in observing and mobilizing families and communities to observe the Party's policies and line and the State's laws;

+ To pass their precious experiences to younger generations;

+ Other obligations defined by law.

3. Prohibited acts against the elderly in Vietnam

- Insulting, ill-treating or hurting, persecuting, discriminating against the elderly.

- Infringing upon or preventing the elderly from exercising their rights to marriage, property ownership and other lawful rights.

- Failing to perform the obligations of taking care of the elderly.

- Taking advantage of the looking after and taking care of the elderly for self-seeking interests.

- Forcing the elderly to labor or do things contrary to law.

- Forcing, arousing, inciting or abetting other persons to commit illegal acts against the elderly.

- Retaliating and intimidating persons who help the elderly or who detect, report on or prevent illegal acts against the elderly.

(Article 9 of the Law on Elderly 2009)

4. The State's policies towards the elderly in Vietnam

- To allocate appropriate annual budgets for the realization of policies to take care of and bring into full play the role of the elderly.

- To provide social patronage to the elderly under this Law and other relevant laws.

- To incorporate policies for the elderly into policies on socio-economic development.

- To develop gerontology so as to meet the elderly's medical examination and treatment needs; to train personnel to take care of the elderly.

- To encourage and create conditions for the elderly to do physical exercises; to participate in learning, cultural and spiritual activities: to live in a safe environment and be respected in dignity; to bring into play their role in the cause of national construction and defense.

- To encourage and support agencies, organizations and individuals in carrying out propaganda on and education about the sense of respect for and gratitude to the elderly, taking care of and bringing into full play the role of the elderly.

- To commend agencies, organizations and individuals that record outstanding achievements in taking care of and bringing into full play the role of the elderly.

- To strictly handle agencies, organizations and individuals that commit acts of violating this Law and other relevant laws.

(Article 4 of the Law on Elderly 2009)

Diem My

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