Ho Chi Minh City has launched a new digital database to manage social assistance facilities and the people who work within them, marking a further step in the city’s wider digital transformation of public services. Developed under the direction of the Ministry of Health’s Department of Social Protection, the platform aims to improve the management of welfare institutions, strengthen policy delivery, and enable more efficient oversight of social care services across the city.
The system was officially introduced on 24 March 2026 at Chanh Phu Hoa Social Protection Centre. According to details reported by VietnamNet, the initiative was implemented by the Department of Social Protection under the Ministry of Health in collaboration with the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Health and supported technologically by FPT. The project forms part of broader national efforts to digitise administrative systems and strengthen social welfare management.
Strengthening Social Work Infrastructure
Speaking at the launch, Tran Thi Dieu Thuy, Vice Chair of the Ho Chi Minh City People’s Committee, noted that the city’s social work sector has evolved significantly over the past decade. Improvements have been made in organisational structures, service networks and workforce capabilities.
All public hospitals in the city have now established dedicated social work departments or units. These teams play a role in supporting patients and families, contributing to a more supportive and responsive healthcare environment.
The new database aims to further modernise the management of social assistance facilities in a city that hosts around 20% of the country’s welfare institutions. Authorities expect the system to strengthen oversight and contribute to the development of the national health database.
Core Functions of the Digital Platform
The platform has been built using modern open-source technologies and incorporates seven key functional groups designed to support both operational and policy needs.
- System administration: Central management of the platform and user access.
- Shared data catalogues: Standardised data references across institutions.
- Facility management: Information management for social assistance institutions.
- Beneficiary management: Records of individuals receiving care or support.
- Social work personnel management: Information on professionals working in the sector.
- Reporting and statistics: Tools for compiling operational and policy reports.
- Executive dashboard: Data visualisation to support decision-making and oversight.
The system has been piloted prior to its official rollout and is expected to support the city’s broader healthcare and social protection programmes. As of March 2026, more than 110 social assistance facilities in Ho Chi Minh City provide care to over 12,000 people.
Benefits for Citizens, Practitioners and Policymakers
For citizens and residents receiving care, the platform allows the creation of comprehensive electronic records for each individual. These digital profiles help ensure that social protection policies, healthcare services and related benefits can be delivered transparently and in a timely manner.
Social workers and administrative staff also benefit from access to a centralised database that supports daily professional tasks. The system enables faster information retrieval, reduces manual paperwork and streamlines administrative procedures. It also supports planning and monitoring by tracking the care process for each beneficiary.
At the management level, the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Health can transition from manual reporting processes to real-time data monitoring. Information can be updated continuously from relevant data sources, providing officials with a clearer overview of operations across the welfare network.
This approach reflects a wider national push towards digital governance. Similar transformation initiatives are underway across sectors, including efforts to expand digital infrastructure supporting the economy and public services, as seen in initiatives highlighted in Vietnam’s expanding 5G infrastructure and local government innovation programmes such as Hanoi’s digital transformation initiatives.
By integrating digital data management into the social welfare sector, Ho Chi Minh City aims to strengthen service delivery, improve transparency and support more informed policy development for vulnerable populations.
