Vietnam allocates nearly 21 billion USD to social welfare in H1
As of June 25, leaders from central and local governments, various agencies, mass organisations, and kind-hearted individuals visited and presented gifts worth 16.8 trillion VND to social protection beneficiaries.
Workers at Ecopark construction site in Hung Yen province receive Tet (Lunar New Year) gifts. (Photo: nhandan.vn)
Hanoi (VNA) – Vietnam allocated nearly 549 trillion VND (about 21 billion USD) to social welfare efforts in the first six months of 2025, ensuring timely and effective support for people who rendered meritorious service to the revolution, as well as social policy and social protection beneficiaries, according to the National Statistics Office under the Ministry of Finance.
As of June 25, leaders from central and local governments, various agencies, mass organisations, and kind-hearted individuals visited and presented gifts worth 16.8 trillion VND to social protection beneficiaries.
During the January–June period, 3.2 trillion VND was earmarked to support poor and near-poor households, and those facing difficulties. Additionally, 20.6 trillion VND was disbursed to assist revolution contributors and their families. Localities also spent 507.7 billion VND as emergency and irregular support funding.
Social insurance agencies distributed over 27.1 million health insurance cards/books, and free medical examination and treatment cards to eligible recipients across the country.
Marking major national anniversaries in 2025, including the 50th anniversary of the Liberation of the South and National Reunification (April 30, 1975–2025) and the 80th anniversary of the National Day (September 2, 1945–2025), State President Luong Cuong authorised a gift package totalling more than 834 billion VND for people who contributed to the revolution.
Gifts worth 500,000 VND each were granted to 11 categories of revolutionary contributors on these occasions, benefiting around 1.66 million individuals.
In June, the President signed a decision to present gifts to revolution contributors on the 78th anniversary of the War Invalids and Martyrs' Day (July 27, 1947–2025). Nearly 1.6 million beneficiaries across the country are to receive gifts worth 600,000 VND or 300,000 VND, depending on their classification. The total budget for this move is over 480 billion VND.
During the first six months,⛦ the Government also provided more than 10,300 tonnes of rice in humanitarian aid. This included over 6,000 tonnes of rice to support 402,600 people during the Tet (Lunar New Year) holiday and nearly 4,300 tonnes to assist 284,500 individuals facing food insecurity during the lean period./.
Deputy Minister of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs Nguyen Van Hoi on January 8 stated that at the beginning of this year, the ministry issued a directive requesting reports on the distribution of rice and proposals for rice aid during the 2025 Lunar New Year (Tet) and the lean season as an effort to ensure social welfare during the Tet festival, and ensure no one is left behind.
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