Proactive preparation: A Vietnamese woman's approach to health and financial independence in retirement

In a small house in Dong Nai, Vietnam, 58-year-old Nguyen Thi Thanh Huong begins her day with yoga, a trip to the market, and preparing family meals. Her energetic demeanor and bright smile belie a recent battle with a serious illness. "I feel much better now," Huong says, "Life is gradually returning to normal. I still practice yoga in the morning; I've been doing it for years, it's a habit. Many people praise me for being so flexible at my age."

This sense of "normal" is more than just improved health. It reflects her mental stability after treatment and her feeling of control over her life, allowing her to continue familiar routines. Huong was always health-conscious, practicing yoga and undergoing regular check-ups. She believed in planning ahead, especially for health and finances, not waiting for a crisis.

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I feel much better now. Life is gradually returning to normal. I still practice yoga in the morning; I've been doing it for years, it's a habit. Many people praise me for being so flexible at my age.

Years ago, while still working, Huong made a conscious decision to be self-sufficient, minimizing reliance on her children. In 2022, after her daughter secured insurance, Huong also enrolled in FWD Don Dau Thay Doi 3.0 at age 55. She saw it as a necessary step for retirement, a period where income may stabilize but health risks can increase. "Now I see that it's never too late to get insurance," she reflects. "Back then, I didn't think much about it, I just felt it was necessary. For me, when you can still be proactive, you should prepare. If something happens later, you still have a way to take care of yourself, without depending on your children."

Huong repeatedly uses the word "proactive." While she values her children's love and care, she acknowledges their own families, careers, and responsibilities. She believes that parents preparing for themselves is also a way of showing love to their children. This perspective resonates with many Vietnamese families today, where adult children often face significant pressure from work, living costs, and their own family obligations, making it challenging to fully support aging parents, even with the best intentions. Huong does not want her children to face such difficult choices.

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Now I see that it's never too late to get insurance. Back then, I didn't think much about it, I just felt it was necessary. For me, when you can still be proactive, you should prepare. If something happens later, you still have a way to take care of yourself, without depending on your children.