This was one of the practical activities marking the International Day of Older Persons (October 1).
Overview of the event.
Attending the event were Nguyen Thanh Binh, Vice Chairman of the National Committee on Elderly People of Vietnam and Chairman of the Vietnam Association of the Elderly, and Vu Thu Ha, Vice Chairwoman of the Hanoi People's Committee and Head of the city's Elderly Affairs Committee.
Speaking at the event, Nguyen The Toan, Chairman of the Hanoi Association of the Elderly, said that in recent years, the city has issued many preferential policies for older people, including social allowances, free public transport, and reduced or free admission to historical sites and museums.
These measures have helped seniors enjoy a better quality of life, living happily, healthily, and meaningfully.
In 2024, local branches of the Association visited and presented gifts to more than 57,000 elderly people with a total value of VND14 billion (US$552,000).
The health sector provided medical checkups and consultations to over 234,800 elderly citizens.
Delegates at the event.
The "Bright Eyes for the Elderly" program offered free eye examinations and consultations to 291,556 seniors and performed free eye surgeries for 98 disadvantaged elderly individuals.
In addition, more than 5,600 cultural and sports clubs and 532 intergenerational self-help clubs allowed seniors to remain active in community work and social security, earning recognition from authorities.
In his remarks, Nguyen Thanh Binh praised the exemplary spirit of nearly 1.2 million seniors in the capital.
He affirmed that the Association had fulfilled its role as a reliable support for the Party and State and had made important contributions to the successful consolidation of grassroots administrative units.
He called on the capital's elderly to continue upholding the Dien Hong spirit (a mindset or approach that emphasizes resilience, initiative, and dedication to national development) and the tradition of "the older, the stronger the will" in the new era.
He stressed that in the context of implementing Resolution 15 and the Capital Law, Hanoi's seniors must become a valuable resource in building Vietnam's "silver economy" and serve as cultural torchbearers, embodying the refined character of the Tràng An people.
He expressed his belief that the elderly in the capital will continue to set an example, accompany the city in its development, and help build Hanoi into a modern, smart, fast-growing, and sustainable city that inspires the whole country.
Immediately after the launching ceremony, the Organizing Committee implemented the "Bright Eyes for the Elderly" program for 2025–2028 to improve eye health and quality of life for seniors in Hanoi.
Thirty-five disadvantaged elderly people received free cataract surgeries, while 160 seniors received free eye examinations and consultations.
The Party Committee, People's Council, People's Committee and Fatherland Front Committee of Cua Nam Ward also presented many gifts to elderly people in difficult circumstances.