Delegates perform the ceremony to mark National Health Day (April 7) across Hanoi.

Attending the conference were Vu Thu Ha, Vice Chairwoman of the Hanoi People's Committee; Dr. Hoang Minh Duc, Director of the Department of Preventive Medicine under the Ministry of Health; Dr. Nguyen Trong Dien, Director of the Hanoi Department of Health; along with representatives from departments and agencies, leaders of 126 communes and wards, and a large number of grassroots health workers and local residents.

In 2026, Vietnam selected the theme for National Health Day as "Proactive disease prevention – For a healthier Vietnam." The theme reflects a shift from a treatment-focused approach to proactive disease prevention, thereby strengthening the protection, care, and improvement of public health in a comprehensive and continuous manner across the life cycle, in line with Resolution No. 72-NQ/TW dated September 9, 2025 of the Politburo on breakthrough solutions to enhance public health protection and care.

The theme also demonstrates Vietnam's commitment to responding to the World Health Organization's message for World Health Day 2026, "Global action for universal health coverage," aiming to ensure that all people have access to quality, equitable, and sustainable healthcare services.

Vu Thu Ha, Vice Chairwoman of the Hanoi People's Committee, and delegates attend the conference to launch the city's National Health Day 2026.

Proactive disease prevention, improving public health

Speaking at the conference, Vice Chairwoman Vu Thu Ha acknowledged and highly appreciated the proactive and thorough preparations of the Department of Health, closely following guidance from the Ministry of Health and directives from the city.

According to Ha, Resolution No. 72-NQ/TW clearly defines the shift in focus from treatment to prevention. The Hanoi Party Committee and the People's Committee have issued action programs and implementation plans with comprehensive solutions and specific targets. In the coming period, the city will continue to inspect and evaluate implementation at local levels.

Vice Chairwoman Vu Thu Ha speaks at the conference.

Regarding this year's National Health Day, the Vice Chairwoman requested a focus on several key tasks. First, strengthening environmental sanitation and improving living conditions linked to disease prevention and control. This is a fundamental factor for proactive prevention. Localities need to take initiative, avoid campaign-style implementation, and instead maintain regular and sustainable efforts tied to behavioral change at both individual and community levels.

Second, accelerating health screening for residents. The city is implementing free health check-ups, aiming toward universal health management. Examination, consultation, and life-cycle health monitoring will help people prevent diseases early and reduce treatment burdens. Localities must ensure substantive and systematic implementation, avoiding formality, and build reliable health records, especially focusing on chronic diseases.

Third, strengthening medical consultation, nutrition guidance, and food safety assurance. Responsibility is placed on three groups: state management agencies, production and business establishments, and residents. Monitoring, raising awareness, handling violations, and proactively choosing safe food must be implemented in a coordinated manner.

Fourth, forming habits of physical activity, exercise, and maintaining a scientific diet. Guidance should be tailored to different groups such as children, the elderly, and people with chronic conditions, but the overall goal is to maintain regular exercise to improve health.

"These tasks must be implemented immediately and maintained effectively, closely linked with specific management and monitoring. At the same time, communication and awareness-raising play a key role in mobilizing participation from the entire political system and all citizens," Ha emphasized.

On this occasion, Ha called on residents of the capital to actively respond to National Health Day through practical actions such as protecting the environment, preventing disease, undergoing regular health check-ups, exercising, maintaining proper nutrition, and ensuring food safety. These efforts contribute to building a healthy, civilized, and sustainable community, where each person proactively protects themselves and their families, and works together to build an increasingly modern and livable capital.

Hanoi takes the lead in responding to National Health Day

Speaking in response to National Health Day, Dr. Nguyen Trong Dien, Director of the Hanoi Department of Health, said the department was assigned to coordinate with Viet Hung Ward to implement the action program and launch the conference, creating a pilot model for 126 communes and wards to replicate in 2026.

Immediately after the conference, the health sector will finalize plans for health screening, while proposing mechanisms and resources for large-scale implementation. A walking activity following the program was also organized to spread the message of physical exercise and community health improvement.

At the same time, hospitals are coordinating with grassroots health facilities to conduct screenings for the elderly and simulate periodic health check-up processes for localities to follow and implement consistently.

Notably, all medical data will be updated into individual electronic health records, serving the management and life-cycle health monitoring of residents. This is the result of data standardization efforts, forming a foundation for digital transformation in healthcare.

"The health sector will work closely with local authorities, promote the application of science and technology, develop human resources, and improve mechanisms and policies to enhance the quality of public healthcare," Dien affirmed.

At the program, Vu Xuan Truong, Deputy Secretary of the Party Committee and Chairman of the Viet Hung Ward People's Committee, said the ward has implemented synchronized solutions, shifting strongly from treatment to prevention and achieving positive results. The ward has also coordinated with six hospitals to improve grassroots healthcare quality and develop elderly care models.

"In the coming time, Viet Hung Ward will continue to strengthen grassroots healthcare, accelerate digital transformation, build a healthy living environment, and promote public fitness movements," Truong emphasized.

Practical healthcare activities

Immediately after the conference, a series of activities responding to National Health Day continued to be implemented in a lively and practical manner, attracting a large number of officials and residents and creating strong community engagement.

The program began with a group exercise performance by the Viet Hung Ward Elderly Association, with hundreds of members participating. The smooth and rhythmic movements not only reflected the spirit of "live happily, live healthily, live usefully" but also conveyed a positive message about maintaining regular physical activity appropriate for each age group.

Next, delegates, officials, and residents joined a walking activity along main streets in Viet Hung Ward, moving from Van Hanh Street through Truong Lam Road. The activity created a vivid image of a dynamic and healthy community, while raising awareness of the role of physical activity in disease prevention.

A key highlight of the activities was the community health check-up program for the elderly, organized at the Viet Hung Ward Health Station and multiple health points across the area. Residents received blood pressure checks, basic tests, nutrition counseling, and early detection of non-communicable diseases such as hypertension and diabetes, helping them proactively monitor and manage their health.

In addition, direct communication activities on proper nutrition, disease prevention, and healthy lifestyles were implemented in a coordinated manner, bringing the message "prevention is better than treatment" into daily life, in line with the direction set by the city and the health sector.

Leaders of Viet Hung Ward visited and encouraged residents participating in the community health check-up program for the elderly, held at the ward health station and multiple health points across the area.

According to ward leaders, healthcare work in the area has achieved many positive results in recent years, with no major outbreaks, expanded food safety models, effective non-communicable disease screening, and notably, 99.1% of residents now having electronic health records.

In 2025 alone, the ward health station provided medical examination and treatment for more than 55,000 visits. Various coordination models with city-level hospitals have helped residents access high-quality healthcare services locally.

In response to National Health Day 2026, Viet Hung Ward is organizing health check-ups for 3,000 to 5,000 elderly people, along with various communication, physical activity, and healthy environment initiatives.

It is expected that over two days, April 4–5, about 5,000 elderly residents in Viet Hung Ward will receive free health check-ups. The activity carries practical significance and helps spread the message: "Proactive disease prevention – For a healthier Vietnam."