Social protection

Viet Nam leads progress on disability-inclusive social protection among lower-middle-income countries

On the International Day of Persons with Disabilities 2025, the ILO and partners launched a new report highlighting Viet Nam’s progress and remaining gaps in disability-inclusive social protection.

3 December 2025

HANOI, Viet Nam (ILO News) – To mark the International Day of Persons with Disabilities 2025, under the global theme “Fostering disability-inclusive societies for advancing social progress,” the International Labour Organization (ILO), the Viet Nam Cooperative Alliance (VCA), the Embassy of Australia, and the Embassy of Ireland jointly launched the new report “Building an Inclusive Future: Social Protection as a Catalyst for Disability Empowerment in Viet Nam” at the Green One UN House in Hanoi. This comprehensive assessment report provides evidence-based recommendations to strengthen inclusive social protection and promote productive employment for persons with disabilities across the country.

In her opening remarks, Director of ILO Country Office for Viet Nam, Sinwon Park emphasized the transformative role of social protection and decent work: “Social protection is not merely a protection - it is a foundation for empowerment. When persons with disabilities can access adequate social protection and productive employment, they can fully participate in and contribute to the economy and the society. This report provides practical steps to help Viet Nam move toward an even more inclusive future.”

Sinwon Park, Director of ILO Country Office for Viet Nam

The report recognizes Viet Nam as one of the leading lower-middle-income countries in advancing disability-inclusive social protection. The country has achieved broad coverage for persons with severe disabilities through a combination of social assistance, social insurance, and health insurance programmes. Viet Nam has also implemented a community-led disability determination system that aims to enhance accessibility, together with a social assistance structure that reflects varying disability-related costs.

Representing Australia, Deputy Ambassador of Australia to Viet Nam, Ms Cecilia Brennan reaffirmed Australia’s commitment to disability inclusion: “Australia is proud to stand with Viet Nam and the global community in advancing disability equity and rights. Empowering people with disabilities strengthens our shared vision of a world where everyone can participate fully and equally. The barriers which people with disability face are not inevitable, they are choices. Together, we can choose differently”.

Despite this progress, the report highlights several areas requiring further attention. Benefit adequacy for persons with severe disabilities remains limited, and coverage gaps persist for those with mild disabilities. The report identifies key policy considerations for stronger linkages between social protection and productive employment.

Director General of the Institute of Science, Technology and Environment under the Viet Nam Cooperative Alliance, Mr. Lê Tuấn An emphasized the critical role of the collective economy in promoting disability inclusion. He affirmed: “Strengthening the linkages between social protection and productive employment in the cooperative sector can enable persons with disabilities not only to be protected, but also to be empowered to realize their potential and contribute to local economic development and broader social progress.”

Persons with disabilities joining the event — Persons with disabilities joining the report launch

In a unified call for stronger action, the Standing Vice Chairperson of the Viet Nam Federation of Persons with Disabilities, Mr. Đặng Văn Thanh stated: “We call on all stakeholders - government agencies, employers, development partners, and communities - to translate the findings of this Social Protection Report into concrete actions. Persons with disabilities are not only beneficiaries but equal contributors to society. We call on all organizations and individuals, wherever they may be, to intensify their efforts to remove barriers, fully compensate for disability-related extra costs, expand employment opportunities, and ensure that every policy reflects the voices of persons with disabilities.”

The findings of the report provide a substantive evidence base to inform national employment and social protection reforms and contribute to Viet Nam’s commitments under the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, international labour standards, and national strategies on social protection and socio-economic development.

The event brought together policymakers, social partners, development partners, researchers, organizations of persons with disabilities, and representatives from the cooperative sector. The event also featured an exhibition and product fair showcasing the work of associations, groups, and cooperatives owned or led by persons with disabilities, celebrating their skills, creativity, and contributions to the economy and society.

Exhibition and product fair showcasing the work of associations, groups, and cooperatives owned or led by persons with disabilities

Meet Binh, a young deaf worker who excels as a paint sprayer, and Hai Anh, a blind university student pursuing her dream to become a communications professional.