Joining forces to expand insurance coverage

In line with the spirit of the 500-day special emulation campaign, "Solidarity – Discipline – Efficiency – Breakthrough, Building Dong Nai into a Civilized and Modern City," the Dong Nai City Social Security has been implementing a wide range of coordinated measures to expand coverage of social insurance (SI), health insurance (HI), and unemployment insurance (UI).

A staff member from the City Social Security  promotes household-based health insurance policies to a citizen at Dong Nai General Hospital.

At the same time, the the Dong Nai City Social Security is strengthening its management and implementation of SI, HI and UI policies, improving administrative discipline, accelerating administrative reform and digital transformation, and enhancing the quality of services provided to citizens and businesses.

A whole-of-system engagement

According to Pham Minh Thanh, Director of the Dong Nai City Social Security, from the beginning of the year the sector advised the City Party Committee, the City People's Committee to incorporate targets for SI, HI, and UI participation into the city's annual socio-economic development goals. It also recommended the implementation of the Directive No. 52-CT/TW of the Party Central Committee’s Secretariat on achieving universal health insurance in the new development period. In addition, it has worked closely with departments and sectors to establish various support mechanisms encouraging residents to participate in SI and HI services. The city's social security system has signed cooperation agreements with numerous agencies and organizations to strengthen data sharing, improve enterprise management, reduce late payment and evasion of insurance contributions, and better protect employees' rights.

Thanks to the concerted efforts of the entire political system, by the end of June 2026, more than 4.2 million residents across the city were participating in SI, HI, and UI programs.

To achieve this result, the agency assigned specific targets to affiliated units and collection service organizations while continuously organizing communication campaigns and direct consultation sessions for different target groups. Meetings held in residential communities, businesses, remote areas, ethnic minority communities, hospitals, and employment service centers have helped residents better understand the benefits of voluntary SI and household-based HI services.

Luu Thi Hoa, a resident of Phuoc Tan Ward, shared that after accompanying a family member to Dong Nai General Hospital, she received detailed guidance from social security staff about the benefits of household-based HI and voluntary SI. As a result, she decided to enroll in HI, a decision she had long hesitated to make.

Emulation drives new momentum

Over the past period, the Dong Nai City Social Security has launched numerous emulation campaigns involving all officials, public employees, and employees. Outstanding collectives and individuals have been recognized and rewarded, creating strong motivation throughout the system. Among the exemplary units are the Tan Phu, Tan Khai, Bu Dang, Phuoc Binh, and Tri An grassroots social security offices, as well as the Department of Contribution Management and Participant Development.

As one of the top-performing units during the 24-day campaign to increase health insurance participation in celebration of Vietnam Health Insurance Day (July 1), the Tan Phu grassroots office quickly translated the campaign into an action plan under the motto: "High determination, decisive action, practical results."

During the remaining months of 2026, the city Social Security will continue working closely with government departments, tax authorities, police, and local administrations to share enterprise data, strengthen inspections, and strictly handle violations involving delayed or evaded SI, HI, and UI contributions, thereby safeguarding workers' legitimate rights.

According to Tran Ngoc Nam, Director of the Tan Phu Social Security Office, specific targets were assigned to every staff member. The office closely coordinated with local authorities, socio-political organizations, and community collaborators to identify potential participants while intensifying outreach and public awareness activities. As a result, within just 24 days, Tan Phu recruited more than 3,700 new HI participants, achieving 100.2% of its first-half 2026 target assigned by the Dong Nai City Social Security. Beyond increasing new enrollments, the office also maintained a stable renewal rate among existing participants, helping reinforce public awareness of the humanitarian value of Vietnam's health insurance policy.

As the unit's leader, Tran Ngoc Nam personally directed the preparation of implementation plans, assigned responsibilities to each division, monitored daily and weekly progress, and promptly resolved operational challenges. Together with his staff, he regularly visited residential areas and business households to promote HI participation while adopting more accessible communication methods centered on real-life stories demonstrating the benefits of HI.

Determined to achieve 2026 targets

During the remaining months of 2026, Dong Nai's social security sector aims to enroll more than 121,000 additional participants in SI, HI, and UI programs.

Director Pham Minh Thanh emphasized that expanding SI and HI coverage is not merely a professional task but also a political responsibility in ensuring social security and improving people's well-being.

Voluntary SI is a State social security policy for Vietnamese citizens aged 15 and above who are not subject to compulsory social insurance, including freelance workers, farmers, and small traders. Under current regulations, eligible voluntary SI participants are entitled to maternity benefits, retirement pensions, survivors' benefits, monthly allowances, and one-time SI payments.

Retirees receiving pensions under the voluntary SI program are also granted free HI cards and benefit from pension adjustments whenever the government revises pension policies. In addition, the State subsidizes part of participants' contributions depending on their eligibility group. With flexible payment options—including monthly, quarterly, semiannual, annual, or lump-sum contributions covering multiple years—voluntary SI is increasingly becoming a reliable long-term social safety net for informal workers, helping secure their livelihoods after retirement.

Dong Nai's social security sector therefore remains committed to fostering unity, innovation, and creativity while striving to fulfill all targets assigned for 2026. Every public employee and employee of the sector is expected to further strengthen their sense of responsibility, continue reforming working methods, and place citizens and businesses at the center of public service delivery, contributing to the development of a professional, modern, and citizen-friendly public administration.

According to Pham Minh Thanh, priorities for the remainder of the year include advising Party committees and authorities at all levels to strengthen leadership over the implementation of SI and HI policies while mobilizing the entire political system to expand insurance participation. Particular attention will be paid to identifying groups that remain uninsured, especially informal workers, household businesses, employees of newly established enterprises, students, and groups eligible for state subsidies, so that tailored outreach strategies can be developed.

The agency will also continue innovating its communication efforts through more accessible and people-centered approaches. Dialogue sessions and information campaigns will be expanded in residential communities, businesses, industrial parks, and ethnic minority areas, while digital platforms, social media, and modern communication channels will be leveraged to reach a broader audience.

Alongside expanding participation, the social security sector will continue improving the quality of handling insurance benefits and policies, ensuring timely payment of pensions and SI benefits, prompt reimbursement of HI-covered examination and treatment costs, and effective management of SI, HI, and UI funds. Administrative reform, digital transformation, and implementation of the Government's Project 06 will also continue to be accelerated, enabling citizens and businesses to carry out administrative procedures more quickly and conveniently.

By Hanh Dung - Translated by Mai Nga, Thu Ha