A series of new policies taking effect on July 1 will expand financial assistance, maternity benefits and healthcare support for families welcoming children.

The Population Law and Government Decree No. 168/2026, both effective from July 1, introduce a range of new measures aimed at encouraging childbirth and improving population quality.

Financial support for women giving birth

Under Decree No. 168/2026, women giving birth from July 1 will be entitled to a minimum financial payment of VND2 million (US$77) if they fall into one of the following three categories:

Women from very small ethnic minority groups.

Women living in provinces or centrally governed cities where fertility rates are below replacement level.

Women who give birth to two children before the age of 35.

Women who qualify under more than one category will receive a single payment only, rather than multiple benefits.

Regarding payment procedures, commune-level People's Committee chairpersons will use information from the integrated birth registration system, the national population database, the national digital identity application (VNeID), and other available government databases to approve and issue financial support when a child's birth is registered.

This means eligible citizens will not need to submit a separate application if their information is already complete and synchronized across government databases.

Higher maternity benefits

The Population Law and Decree No. 168/2026 also introduce longer maternity leave beginning July 1.

Women giving birth to their second child will receive seven months of maternity leave, one month longer than under current regulations. Fathers whose wives give birth to a second child will receive 10 working days of leave, double the previous entitlement for a natural birth.

According to Le Thanh Dung, Director General of the Population Department, the policy is intended to encourage families to have two children.

The additional month of maternity leave also increases maternity benefit payments. Combined with an adjustment to Vietnam's statutory base salary from July 1, female employees will receive substantially higher benefits.

Under current regulations, maternity benefits are calculated based on the average salary paid for compulsory social insurance during the six months immediately preceding maternity leave, multiplied by the number of leave months, plus a one-time childbirth allowance equal to twice the statutory base salary in effect during the month of delivery.

For example, a female public employee with a salary coefficient of 3.33 and a compulsory social insurance salary of VND7,792,000 (US$300) per month over the previous six months, based on a former statutory base salary of VND2,340,000 (US$90), would receive more than VND64 million (US$2,470) in maternity benefits after giving birth to her second child following July 1.

The calculation is based on the formula: 3.33 × VND2,530,000 × seven months, plus twice the new statutory base salary. This represents an increase of more than VND12.5 million (US$482) compared with giving birth before July 1.

To receive the seven-month maternity benefit for a second child, female employees must submit the documentation required under the current Social Insurance Law, along with Form 14-HSB, and are responsible for the accuracy of the information provided. Vietnam Social Security authorities will process applications in accordance with regulations.

Expanded prenatal and newborn screening

Another important provision of the 2025 Population Law is expanded support for prenatal and newborn screening.

Pregnant women will receive financial assistance for screening and testing for four major conditions:

Down syndrome.
Edwards syndrome.
Patau syndrome.
Thalassemia (inherited blood disorder).

Newborns will also receive support for screening for five conditions:

Congenital hypothyroidism.
G6PD deficiency.
Congenital adrenal hyperplasia.
Congenital hearing impairment.
Congenital heart abnormalities.

These healthcare support policies will be introduced in phases.

From July 1 through December 31, they will apply to pregnant women and newborns from poor and near-poor households, people receiving social protection benefits, and residents of especially disadvantaged villages and ethnic minority, mountainous, border and island communities.

Beginning January 1, 2027, the program will be expanded to cover all pregnant women and newborns nationwide.

Financial support for prenatal congenital disease screening will reimburse actual costs up to VND900,000 (US$35) per case, while newborn screening support will cover up to VND600,000 (US$23) per case.

Vo Thu