Ha Noi, 21 November 2025 – Savills Vietnam and WeCare247 successfully co-hosted an invitation-only seminar, welcoming over 80 senior executives, developers, investors, and policy stakeholders to explore how geography, urbanisation, and healthcare access are shaping the next phase of senior living development across Northern, Central, and Southern Viet Nam.

The country is on track to become an aged society in less than 20 years. According to the General Statistics Office of Viet Nam, by 2038, one in five Vietnamese will be over 60, and the UNFPA projects that by 2050, one in six people will be over 65.

Despite rising demand, the country’s eldercare system remains underdeveloped, underscoring the next challenge, which is not just living longer, but living better. Caregiving is still not recognised as a formal profession, and most care is informal, untrained, and fragmented, with gaps widening each year. UNFPA data shows that 80% of elders prefer to be cared for at home, yet less than 30% of communes have elderly care clubs, and there are fewer than 100 care centres nationwide.

Senior living options in Viet Nam, including homes, resorts, and healthcare-integrated facilities, remain limited, contrasting with markets like Singapore and Japan, where senior living has become a multibillion-dollar industry, versus Viet Nam, with only a handful of pilot developments.

Matthew Powell, Director, Savills Hanoi, notes that Viet Nam’s eldercare market is small and will have to expand rapidly over the next decade as millions approach retirement age. Wellness retreats and healthcare-integrated housing are increasingly attracting attention as Vietnamese consumers place greater emphasis on mental well-being and sustainable lifestyles.

Panel Takeaways for Viet Nam

Emily Fell, Head of Living Sectors, Asia Pacific, noted that while Viet Nam has substantial growth potential, development must follow a strategic path. She emphasised that the market does not operate in isolation; it will require an “Australian lifestyle” model for active seniors in urban centres and a “Japanese care” model to address the growing need for assisted living.

Policy is a critical accelerator as lifestyle communities need clear zoning and consumer protection frameworks, while care-focused models require a sustainable payment structure, with public or private insurance. Significantly, institutional capital investment in operators rather than buildings, making reliable developments with high-quality operators, is the country's priority.

Finally, Viet Nam could draw inspiration from Singapore’s “vertical village” approach, integrating senior living within mixed-use developments. This model provides an efficient, land-savvy, and community-oriented solution suitable for dense urban environments.

How Geography Shapes Viet Nam’s Future in Care and Living

During the panel on Viet Nam’s elderly-care market, senior representatives from Savills, WeCare247, Kitahara Group Vietnam, HelpAge International Vietnam, Mynavi Vietnam Co., Ltd and Lotus Advisory Group provided a comprehensive overview of the market and its potential integration with the real estate sector.

Le Quoc Huan, Deputy CEO of WeCare247, shared insights on how regional differences influence care delivery models countrywide. He highlighted key challenges in policy, workforce capacity, and cultural perceptions, emphasising the critical role of “human infrastructure” in connecting healthcare and real estate to shape Viet Nam’s care-integrated future. 

Yusuke Hirai, Representative of Kitahara Group Vietnam, presented lessons from Japan’s Integrated Care Model, drawing on the Kitahara System in rehabilitation hospitals and elderly-care integration. His session provided valuable international perspectives on technical knowledge transfer and cross-border investment in healthcare. 

Tran Bich Thuy, Country Director of HelpAge International Vietnam and Executive Director of VIOBA, offered an in-depth analysis of local policy direction and current gaps in elderly care and long-term care. Her insights grounded the discussion in national realities, balancing commercial potential with urgent social needs. 

Yasuhiro Miyamoto, General Director of Mynavi Vietnam, discussed strategies for developing human capital for senior care and health services. He highlighted how Viet Nam and Japan can collaborate to strengthen cross-border caregiver training, building a sustainable workforce pipeline for the future. 

Finally, Olivia Wood, CEO of Lotus Advisory Group Vietnam, explained why the country is becoming an attractive destination for senior living investment. She examined the current market gap and outlined key considerations for businesses looking to enter and successfully operate in this evolving sector.