The questions are “How progressive is social security in Vietnam?” and “What is the relationship between old age and poverty in Vietnam?”

The papers are initial steps in the collaborative process between the UNDP and the Vietnam Academy of Social Sciences and the Ministry of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs, in formulating a proposal for a comprehensive and integrated system of social security for the Vietnamese Government’s Socio-economic Development Strategy between 2011-2020.

UN Resident Coordinator in Vietnam, John Hendra, said that Vietnam needs a modern, integrated approach to help people cope with risks in their livelihood and well-being and to avoid falling back into poverty as the country is approaching middle income country status.

”Social security policy is directly relevant to human development, and is thus central to the work of the UNDP in Vietnam as elsewhere,” he said at the launch ceremony.

Analysis and data in the papers will serve as a basis for Vietnamese policy makers to identify priorities for social security reform that will provide income security for millions of Vietnamese households, reduce economic inequality and support the country’s efforts to make a success of international economic integration.