Expanding Social Insurance and Health Insurance Coverage in Vietnam

Vietnam is actively working to expand social insurance, health insurance, and unemployment insurance coverage for its citizens. Recent legislative changes and targeted outreach programs are aimed at achieving universal coverage and strengthening social safety nets. These efforts involve close collaboration between local social insurance offices, government agencies, and community organizations.

Recent Legislative Updates

Modern provisions within the Social Insurance Law No. 41/2024/QH15 and the Health Insurance Law No. 51/2024/QH15, which took effect on July 1, 2025, are central to these expansion efforts. These amendments broaden the scope of participation and benefits, laying the groundwork for universal social insurance and health insurance coverage. The Provincial Social Insurance Agency has implemented a comprehensive publicity plan to ensure citizens and businesses understand these new regulations.

Collaborative Outreach Programs

The provincial social insurance office is partnering with the Ministry of the Interior, provincial trade unions, and other agencies to disseminate information about the new policies. Information sessions are being held in industrial complexes and workplaces, directly reaching social insurance managers, employers, and employees. Dialogue and question-and-answer sessions are also being organized to address implementation challenges and build consensus.

In 2025, approximately 300 communication conferences were held, with over 19,000 participants, including more than 13,000 employers and employees. Local social insurance offices are also conducting monthly campaigns to encourage voluntary enrollment in social insurance.

Progress and Targets

By the end of 2025, the number of voluntary social insurance subscribers was projected to reach approximately 10,000, meeting the Vietnam Social Insurance Agency’s target. As of the first two months of 2026, significant progress has been made:

• Total social insurance subscribers: 331,735 (an increase of 28,044 from the same period in 2025)
• Mandatory social insurance subscribers: 283,723 (an increase of 17,439)
• Voluntary social insurance subscribers: 48,012 (an increase of 10,605)
• Unemployment insurance subscribers: 271,697 (an increase of 17,229)
• Health insurance subscribers: approximately 1.3 million (95.76% coverage rate among provincial residents)

Tax revenue from social insurance, unemployment insurance, and health insurance reached VND1.3666 trillion in the first two months of 2026, an increase of VND20.1 billion compared to the same period in 2025.

Future Strategies

The Provincial Social Insurance Department plans to continue promoting social insurance, unemployment insurance, and health insurance through various media platforms, electronic portals, and social networks. Strategies include:

• Strengthening the use of data from the Taxation Bureau and the Finance Bureau to increase mandatory social insurance subscription rates.
• Expanding voluntary social insurance and family health insurance through collaboration with collection agencies.
• Continued dissemination of information through various channels, including electronic portals, social media, and promotional materials.

These combined efforts aim to integrate social insurance, health insurance, and unemployment insurance into daily life, ensuring social security and improving the quality of life for residents.