•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Against a backdrop of economic volatility and rising living costs, many young people are postponing long-term financial plans due to concerns about sustaining financial obligations when income is volatile.
Deloitte’s 2025 Gen Z and Millennials Survey, conducted with 23,000 people across 44 countries, found that nearly half of Gen Z (48%) and Millennials (46%) feel financially insecure. More than 50% said they are living entirely on monthly salaries. The “income as it comes, as it goes” pattern has led 40% of respondents to worry about their ability to commit to long-term financial obligations in the future.
In Vietnam, the trend is more pronounced as the labor market remains volatile. According to the General Statistics Office of Vietnam, in Q1 2026 nearly 1.6 million people aged 15–24 were unemployed and not in education or training. Instability in work and income prompts many young people to postpone long-term financial decisions to avoid the risk of being left with unmanageable obligations.
Mr. Vu Minh (34, Ho Chi Minh City), an IT worker earning 30 million dong per month, is the primary breadwinner in his family. Although he wants health protection for his wife and children, he delayed purchasing life insurance for three years due to concerns about premium terms extending 20–30 years.
Minh said: “Current salary is stable, but no one can guarantee I will still hold this position in 10-20 years. If income is interrupted due to layoffs or salary cuts, fixed monthly fees will become debt burdens rather than savings.” He added that he has seen colleagues face layoffs.
Many young people are also stressed by juggling multiple goals at once. In the 25–35 age group, this segment often balances priorities such as buying a home, starting a family, and raising children. However, PwC’s 2025 Consumer Survey shows that 48% of Vietnamese consumers view economic volatility as the biggest risk over the next 12 months, while 43% worry about prices and affordability. Macroeconomic instability is making many people more cautious about long-term financial commitments.
Experts say plans stretched too far into the future are easily derailed by short-term shocks such as job loss or sudden medical costs. As a result, young people are increasingly shifting toward mid-term financial packages of 10–15 years. The approach is described as a defensive strategy that helps them maintain disciplined saving long enough to reach goals—such as upgrading a home or funding a child’s education—while staying within a timeframe they can better manage.
To align with this mindset, some companies have developed insurance products with shorter participation periods while still offering core benefits. For example, Phú Hưng Life’s group universal life policy, Phú Hưng Tiếp Sức, is designed with a short premium payment period (10–15 years) and flexible premium options (lump-sum or periodic).
According to the company, the product focuses on protection against death or total and permanent disability, while preserving a savings component. Customers receive 100% of the account value at maturity, along with a guaranteed interest rate and a contract maintenance reward, provided no risk occurs during the term.
A company representative said the design helps participants maintain a financial plan over a period long enough to accumulate without creating pressure to commit far into the future. “Today’s customers not only care about benefits but also weigh the ability to sustain commitments throughout the journey. Therefore, products should be designed to protect and accumulate so they can start confidently without excessive pressure,” the representative said.
After considering his options, Minh chose a 10-year policy. He said the period is “just right” to protect his family during his child’s early years, while not creating excessive pressure if he wants to switch jobs or take a break in the future.
Experts say that in an environment of uncertain income, financial plans spanning 10 to 15 years can help participants balance saving and sustainability. The trend is also accelerating the shift away from long-term commitments toward more flexible models in personal finance markets.
Premium gym chains are entering a “golden era” that is ending or already in decline, as rising operating costs collide with shifting consumer preferences toward more flexible, community-based ways to exercise. Long-term memberships are shrinking, margins are pressured by higher rents and facility expenses, and competition from smaller, more personalized…
