This article provides a comprehensive overview of a community-based organisation approach, also know as Intergenerational Self-Help Clubs in Vietnam.  The key issues are highlighted such as: the importance of local government support and involvement, fragmented policy implementation, suboptimal monitoring of policy implementation, the importance of multi sector collaboration; the negative effects of ageism and the considerable contribution of older people for care and support and community development.

This paper provides important learning for other countries implementing community approaches, to improve the health and wellbeing of older people.