Older people in Binh Tan Ward, Ho Chi Minh City now have a day care point near home to check blood pressure, do gentle exercise, read and play chess together.
A source of joy for older residents
An elderly man from Neighborhood 30 in Binh Tan Ward was among the first to join activities here. He says that after exercising in the park, he drops by to have the health staff check his blood pressure and ask about his health when needed, then sits down to read, play chess and chat with other men his age. Getting advice right where he spends his time puts his mind at ease. He sees the place not only as somewhere to look after his health but also as a place where older people can meet and stay in good spirits.
How the model is organized
The care point was launched by the Binh Tan Ward People's Committee in cooperation with the ward's Association of the Elderly. Located within the ward's Central Park, it is managed by the ward health station and works on the idea of linking health care with shared community activities. Here, older people can:
- Have their health monitored by health staff and receive advice and basic care.
- Be guided through exercise, traditional health exercises and rehabilitation suited to each person's ability.
- Learn more about looking after themselves and preventing illness.
- Take part in arts and cultural activities, socialize, chat and keep sharing their experience with family and neighbors.
The head of the ward's Association of the Elderly, who also leads the care point's management board, says the place creates a safe, friendly space where older people are both cared for and able to contribute to the community.
A leader of the Ward People's Committee noted that Vietnam's population is aging, so alongside care, conditions should be created for older people to keep contributing their knowledge and experience to society. Community-based care is therefore seen as an approach that fits real needs.
Other wards have their own models too
The care point in Binh Tan was set up as the city gradually expands ways of caring for older people at the grassroots level:
- In late February 2026, Xuan Hoa Ward opened its health station and at the same time piloted area-based continuous health care teams linked to family medicine. Six teams have been set up to proactively monitor and care for older people and high-risk groups right in residential areas.
- On June 6, Binh Phu Ward opened a community house for older people. It was introduced as the first community space in the city dedicated solely to older people, supporting both their health and their emotional well-being.
- As of March 2026, the city had 102 volunteer groups and 102 clubs named "Older People Helping Older People", bringing together thousands of members, who have helped more than 4,000 older people in difficult circumstances.
Goals to 2030
Ho Chi Minh City is working toward a complete network of care for older people, built on care at home and in the community. By 2030, the city aims to have more than 30 care facilities for older people.
With more care points like this right in their neighborhoods, older people can get health advice and monitoring more conveniently and have more places to enjoy life, stay healthy and keep helping others.
Alongside daily exercise and socializing, regular health check-ups help older people keep better track of chronic conditions. You can walk in during opening hours and take a queue number at Ky Hoa Medical Center for a general health check-up or a health insurance (BHYT) visit.
Ky Hoa Medical Center is open Monday to Saturday, 6:30 - 11:30 and 13:00 - 17:00; closed on Sunday. Address: 266A - 268 3 Thang 2 Street, Hoa Hung Ward, Ho Chi Minh City. Hotline 028.3868.1097.
Source: Suc Khoe & Doi Song (Health & Life) newspaper