Hanoi (VNA) – Vietnam officially launched the first nationwide observance of National Health Day (April 7), marking a major step in the country’s efforts to shift healthcare priorities from treatment to prevention and place public health at the centre of national development policies.
Speaking at the launching ceremony in Hanoi on April 5, Politburo member, Secretary of the Party Central Committee and Chairman of the Party Central Committee’s Commission for Information, Education and Mass Mobilisation Trinh Van Quyet described the event as a demonstration of the Party and State’s strategic vision and strong political commitment to protecting, caring for and improving people’s health.
The ceremony, themed “Proactive disease prevention – For a healthier Vietnam”, was jointly organised by the Party Central Committee’s Commission for Information, Education and Mass Mobilisation, and the Ministry of Health.
This is the first time National Health Day has been implemented simultaneously nationwide, drawing the participation from ministries, sectors, localities, socio-political organisations, healthcare institutions, and the public.
Quyet recalled President Ho Chi Minh’s teaching that “When every citizen is weak, the whole nation is weak; when every citizen is healthy, the whole nation is healthy”, stressing that public health has always been regarded as the nation’s most valuable asset and a key driver of sustainable development.
(Photo: VietnamPlus)
Under a decision of the Politburo, April 7 has been designated as National Health Day, with 2026 marking its inaugural year. The initiative aims to promote a fundamental shift from a healthcare model focused primarily on treatment to one centred on disease prevention and lifelong healthcare.
While acknowledging the significant achievements made by Vietnam’s healthcare sector in recent years, Quyet noted that the country faces growing challenges, including the rising burden of non-communicable diseases, rapid population ageing and the persistent threat of emerging infectious diseases.
He called for greater public awareness and collective action, emphasising that disease prevention must become a long-term strategy and a shared responsibility of individuals, families and the entire political system.
The official also urged the promotion of a “health culture” across society, encouraging people to exercise regularly, adopt balanced diets, maintain healthy lifestyles, manage health risks and undergo periodic health check-ups.
Particular attention should be given to strengthening preventive healthcare and grassroots medical services, ensuring that all citizens have access to timely and quality primary healthcare, while accelerating digital transformation in the health sector, he added.
Minister of Health Dao Hong Lan said the theme of this year’s observance reflects Vietnam’s priority of transitioning from a treatment-focused healthcare model to proactive disease prevention and continuous healthcare throughout people’s lives.
The initiative also aligns with the message of World Health Day 2026 and supports the goal of universal health coverage, ensuring that all people have equitable access to quality and sustainable healthcare services.
According to the minister, National Health Day concretises the objectives set out in Resolution No. 72-NQ/TW issued by the Politburo on September 9, 2025, which calls for breakthrough measures to strengthen public health protection, care and improvement.
The resolution identifies prevention as the cornerstone of healthcare policy and places citizens at the centre of health development strategies. It also sets ambitious targets for 2030, including raising average life expectancy to 75.5 years, with at least 68 years lived in good health, and increasing the average height of Vietnamese children and adolescents by at least 1.5 centimetres.
As part of the event, participants took part in a public walk around Tran Nhan Tong pedestrian street near Thong Nhat Park, while free health screenings, nutritional consultations, wellness demonstrations and cultural performances were also organised.
The Ministry of Health called on all citizens to take greater responsibility for their own health and that of their families by maintaining healthy lifestyles, engaging in regular physical activities, following balanced nutrition, attending regular health check-ups, receiving recommended vaccinations and paying attention to mental wellbeing.
Every step taken today is not only a physical activity but also a powerful message promoting a proactive and healthy lifestyle for individuals and communities alike, the ministry said./.
The following are some photos of the event:
(Photo: VietnamPlus)
