President Truong Tan Sang praised the contributions made by Viet Nam Association of the Elderly to national defence and construction, while paying a working visit to the association yesterday.

Sang asked the association to promote the tradition of Vietnamese elderly people having strong wills. He said this provided a good example for younger generations to follow.

He also asked the association to diversify activities to attract more elderly people and to organise activities to improve healthcare, especially for those in remote areas.

Association president Cu Thi Hau said the group was organising the collection of 1 million warm clothes for poor older people.

However, she and many delegates said it was necessary to improve performances at the association's branches. At present, many elderly people still had no access to proper healthcare.

According to the Health Ministry, only 5 per cent of the elderly were in good health.

The Viet Nam Association of Elderly, founded in 1995, now has more than eight million members. More than 11,000 communes, wards and towns have set up branches.

Source:  VNS