Two years after the COVID-19 outbreak began in Vietnam, people believe the end is in sight and they are in good shape healthwise, but concerns around personal finances remain, particularly among single women, according to new research from Manulife.
Demand for insurance remains high in Vietnam. (Photo courtesy of Manulife)
HCMCity (VNS/VNA) - Two years after the COVID-19 outbreak began in Vietnam,people believe the end is in sight and they are in good shape healthwise, butconcerns around personal finances remain, particularly among single women,according to new research from Manulife.
Manulifeconducted the third Asia Care Survey, and more than two thirds (69 percent)said it would be gone within a year and 77 percent expected restrictions to belifted within that timeframe.
Vietnamesehad the most optimistic outlook in the region, including about the time it willtake for the economy to recover with just a quarter (26 percent) fearing itwould take a long time, the lowest in the region.
Thesurvey was done just as the Omicron variant was starting to spread.
Despitethe generally sanguine outlook, 15 percent said they had experienced job lossand 70 percent said their income had fallen as a result of COVID.
Only19 percent of single women had savings on hand to last more than a year, wellbelow the 33 percent national average. It also found that three quarters (75 percent)of single women were struggling to cope with COVID.
“Vietnamese,especially single women, have clearly experienced challenges during thepandemic, but many have adapted and taken control by actively managing theirown finances,” Sang Lee, CEO of Manulife Vietnam, said.
“Whatis also good is that they are taking more care of their own health andprotection. That includes insurance.”
Despitelow insurance penetration rates in Vietnam, of those surveyed, 72 percent hadinsurance, the most popular being health (47 percent), life (42 percent) andaccident (38 percent).
Remarkably,91 percent said they plan to buy insurance in the next 12 months, with life (55percent), health (45 percent) and accident (41 percent) again at the top of thelist.
Addressingthe growing demand for health protection and the rising costs of criticalillness and medical care in the new normal, Manulife Vietnam recently launcheda new generation of supplementary insurance products.
Thecritical illness plus rider and medicash plus rider deliver pioneeringsolutions in the market with features like extending entry age for both ridersup to 69 years as protection benefits for up to 85.
Inaddition, the safety net benefit pays out claims for customers based on certaincriteria for treatment or surgery without having to meet the diseasedefinition./.
Vietnam Social Security (VSS) made efforts to complete its tasks while effectively rolling out policies in support of employees and employers affected by the COVID-19 pandemic last year.
Accelerating the digital transformation process not only helps insurance businesses transform during the COVID-19 pandemic but also is considered the foundation for growth in the economic recovery.
Vietnam has over 4.8 million people exposed to AO/dioxin, including hundreds of thousands in the second, third, and even fourth generations. Many live with severe disabilities, facing high medical costs and loss of earning capacity.
Deputy Foreign Minister Dang Hoang Giang reaffirmed that amnesty is a humanitarian policy of the Party and State, reflecting the Vietnamese tradition of compassion and winning attention and high praise both domestically and internationally.
Vietnam officially grants limited-term visa-free entry to high-profile foreigners whose presence is deemed beneficial to the country’s socio-economic development.
With support from the Vietnamese Association in Ufa, Vietnamese language classes for children have been offered for many years. Currently, 60 children of various ages are attending two classes taught by Duc Anh, free of charge.
Vietnam ranked among the top four countries and territories at the 2025 International Olympiad on Artificial Intelligence (IOAI), reaffirming its strong position in international academic competitions.
All 20 crew members aboard the Vietnamese oil tanker GT Unity were successfully rescued from a fire in the vessel’s engine room, thanks to the swift response of the Liberian-flagged ship Androusa and Vietnamese maritime rescue teams.
Describing Agent Orange as one of the most severe and enduring legacies of the war in Vietnam, Vietnam's former Honorary Consul to Belgium Joseph-Michel de Grand Ry warned that its impact – still affecting generations more than five decades later – could last another two to three decades.
Running from August 4 to September 2, under the hashtag #TuHaoVietNam, the campaign invites participants in two categories: “I Love My Country” video clips and “I Love My Country” check-in photos.
Decree No. 219/2025/ND-CP, which took effect on the issuance date, introduces amendments that integrate the procedure for reporting and explaining the demand for foreign workers into the process of submitting applications for work permits.
With a tight 13-month deadline, the move is under a strategic and urgent policy to bridge educational gaps, train the local workforce, and shore up territorial sovereignty in some of the country’s most remote areas.
The parade and personnel send-off ceremony will officially take place on August 10 at the area surrounding the Statue of King Ly Thai To and Dinh Tien Hoang street of Hoan Kiem ward, with the participation of nearly 3,000 officers, soldiers, and local residents.
According to national technical regulations, AIS installation is mandatory for boats carrying more than 50 passengers. However, operators of smaller vessels (under 50 seats) in Ha Long Bay have voluntarily committed to completing installation by the deadline to enhance operational safety.
The activities include a Vietnamese language teaching training course for overseas Vietnamese teachers from August 13 to 28 in Hanoi, Ninh Binh, and Thai Nguyen.
Specifically, the ships will carry out patrols from 7am to 6pm daily along the main tourist routes in Ha Long Bay, with one ship permanently stationed at Ti Top island. From 6pm to 7am the following day, the mobile vessels return to Tuan Chau island to maintain a 24/7 on-call duty shift, ensuring constant readiness.
The Ministry of Construction (MoC) plans to open to traffic 208km of expressways of six key projects by August 19, bringing the country’s total expressway network to 2,476km.
As of July 1, a two-tier local government model started in 34 provinces and cities, streamlining administration but creating a surplus of public properties. If not promptly addressed, these assets could become a financial burden.
Whether they grow up to become journalists, diplomats, or professionals in other fields, these children can one day become bridges of friendship and cooperation, telling new and inspiring stories of Vietnam – China relations, said Ambassador Pham Thanh Binh.
A 21-year-old Indian tourist was successfully resuscitated and treated by doctors at Hoan My Da Nang Hospital after a near-drowning incident left him in critical condition. After three days of intensive care, the man was discharged from the hospital and has since returned to India.
In an document issued on August 5, the PM emphasised the need to stablise living conditions for people hit by floods, landslides, and flash floods in late July and early August in northern and north-central provinces, especially Dien Bien, Son La, and Nghe An which suffered some of the worst damage.
Although millions of Vietnamese were affected by AO, only over 626,000 individuals, including war veterans and their children suffering from dioxin-related conditions, are currently receiving state benefits.
Demand for insurance remains high in Vietnam. (Photo courtesy of Manulife) 
