Vietnam (VN)
Vietnam is a dynamic, rapidly developing Socialist Republic stretching 1,650km down the eastern coast of the Indochinese Peninsula — a country of extraordinary geographical diversity, from the karst mountains of the north and the Red River Delta, through the stunning coastline of the Central region, to the vast Mekong Delta in the south.
Family Rights & Benefits
Maternity, parental leave and child benefits in Vietnam.
Vietnam's Labour Code 2019 and the Law on Social Insurance 2014 (amended) provide maternity, paternity and family benefits for employees contributing to BHXH. Foreign employees in Vietnam who contribute to BHXH are entitled to the same maternity and family leave benefits as Vietnamese employees. Benefits are paid by the BHXH (Social Insurance) fund, not directly by the employer. The Law on Marriage and Family 2014 governs family formation, and the Law on Child Protection covers minors. Practical note: expat families should register all children with both their home country embassy and Vietnamese immigration authorities within the first months after birth in Vietnam.
Thai Sản (Maternity Leave)
Before birth: Female employees may take up to 2 months prenatal leave, taken from the maternity leave allowance. For pregnancies with complications or multiple births, the prenatal period may be extended on doctor's recommendation.
After birth: 6 months total maternity leave for first births (including prenatal portion); 4 months post-birth if 2 months prenatal taken. From July 1, 2026 (Vietnam Population Law, passed December 2025): 7 months for the second child. For multiple births (twins, triplets): additional 1 month per additional child. Maternity benefit: 100% of the average monthly contributory salary for the 6 months prior to the leave commencement. Paid by BHXH — NOT the employer directly.
Job protection: Absolute job protection during maternity leave — dismissal of a pregnant employee or an employee on maternity leave/within 12 months after return to work is unlawful. Exceptions: company dissolution or force majeure only. Employee returning from maternity leave: entitled to resume the same or equivalent position. If the position no longer exists, employer must arrange an alternative at equivalent pay.
Chế Độ Thai Sản Cho Cha (Paternity Leave / Partner Leave)
Max duration: 5 working days for normal birth (father). 7 working days if mother had caesarean section. 10 working days for premature births or where child has a health condition at birth. 14 working days for twins (one of whom had caesarean or is premature). Paternity leave must be taken within 30 days of the child's birth. Paid at 100% of average contributory salary, funded by BHXH.
Split rules / Elterngeld: Paternity leave cannot be split across weeks — it must generally be taken within 30 days of birth. No equivalent extended shared parental leave model as found in Western Europe — Vietnam's system provides maternity leave for the mother and a short paternity period for the father.
Benefits
Birth Allowance (Trợ Cấp Thai Sản Một Lần)
2× statutory minimum wage per child born (2026: 2 × VND 1,490,000 = VND 2,980,000 per child)
Duration: One-time payment per birth
Eligibility: Mother who has contributed to BHXH for at least 6 months in the 12 months before birth OR father if the mother is not covered by BHXH. Also applies to fathers whose wives die in childbirth.
How to apply: Application at provincial BHXH office within 6 months of birth. Required documents: birth certificate (giấy khai sinh), BHXH book, marriage certificate, employer confirmation.
Paid directly by BHXH. Employer may advance the payment and reclaim from BHXH if agreed.
Childcare Leave (Nghỉ Chăm Sóc Con Ốm)
75% of average BHXH contributory salary per sick day
Duration: Up to 20 working days/year per child under 3 years old. Up to 15 working days/year per child aged 3–7. Paid by BHXH.
Eligibility: One parent per sick episode. Requires medical certificate confirming child illness.
How to apply: Notify employer, obtain child medical certificate, submit claim to BHXH via employer.
Both parents cannot claim simultaneously for the same sick child episode.
Child Allowance (Trợ Cấp Trẻ Em)
Not a universal monetary allowance — Vietnam does not have a universal child benefit cash transfer as in Western Europe.
Duration: N/A
Eligibility: Limited means-tested support exists for low-income families with disabled or orphaned children under the Social Assistance Policy.
How to apply: Apply at local District People's Committee for social assistance. Not applicable to most expats.
Expat families should not expect Western-style universal child benefits in Vietnam. School fee support, free public school access and BHYT for children are the main family benefits available.
Breastfeeding Support at Work
60 minutes/day reduction in working hours or equivalent pay (no deduction)
Duration: From return to work until child is 12 months old
Eligibility: All female employees breastfeeding infants under 12 months who have returned to work
How to apply: Notify employer in writing. Employer is legally required to accommodate this.
Employer may NOT dismiss or reduce salary of a breastfeeding employee exercising this right.
Sick child leave
Up to 20 days/year per child under 3 (BHXH paid); 15 days/year per child aged 3–7. Medical certificate from approved hospital required. Both parents have separate entitlements — cannot be claimed simultaneously for the same child episode. Paid at 75% of contributory salary by BHXH.
Birth registration
Children born in Vietnam must be registered within 60 days of birth at the local People's Committee (phường) ward office. Required documents for birth registration: hospital birth certificate (giấy chứng sinh), parents' passports and marriage certificate. The Vietnamese birth certificate (giấy khai sinh) is issued. Separately, foreign parents should register the birth with their home country's embassy — each country has its own procedures and deadlines (typically 1–6 months). Failure to register promptly complicates the child's passport application and immigration status. For children requiring a Vietnamese passport (if one parent is Vietnamese): separate nationality registration process at the Nationality Department.
Childcare rights
Employers with 1,000+ female employees are legally required to provide a nursery facility or support employees' childcare costs. Most employers do not meet the threshold — this remains largely aspirational policy. Public kindergartens are available for temporary residents (KT3 registration) at subsidised rates. International expats predominantly use private/international childcare (see educationInfo for cost reference). Maternity hospital choice: international hospitals (Vinmec, FV Hospital) allow the mother to choose their own obstetrician and plan birth preferences. Public hospitals: assigned doctor on duty. Registration for international hospital birth: as early as week 12 — popular hospitals (Vinmec Hà Nội, FV Hospital HCMC) require early booking.
Family Rights
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