Vietnam Tightens Military Maternity Rules While Expanding Birth Incentives Across Society
Published on 07/21/2026 at 12:33 | Redaktion boerse-global.de
For women serving in Vietnam’s armed forces, access to maternity benefits will soon depend on a stricter contribution timeline than the one applied to civilian workers. A draft circular from the Ministry of Defence, expected to take effect later this year, requires female soldiers to have paid social insurance contributions for at least six months within the 24 months immediately before giving birth. By contrast, the general Social Insurance Law 2024 demands only six months of contributions in the preceding twelve months for ordinary employees.
The same draft, outlined in Article 9 of the circular, also introduces a one-time allowance for fathers—but only if the mother does not qualify for benefits herself. To receive it, the father must have made contributions for at least six months in the twelve months leading up to the birth. Concrete examples illustrate the impact: Captain Ha Thi Quyen, whose planned delivery date falls in January 2027, would have contributed for eight months and thus meet the criteria. Yet for civilian female workers, a single missing month—for instance, due to the dissolution of a business unit—can cost them the entire entitlement.
Parallel to these rule changes, the government is moving to increase pensions for retired and discharged military personnel. Circular No 103/2026/TT-BQP sets a retrospective eight-percent raise effective from 1 July 2026, covering not only former soldiers but also crypto?logistics personnel. The new benefit amounts vary by years of service: those with 15 to 16 years of service will receive around 2.838 million VND per month, while those with 19 to 20 years get roughly 3.353 million VND. The circular officially takes effect on 30 August 2026.
Regional push for higher birth rates
Beyond the armed forces, Vietnam is rolling out financial incentives aimed at reversing low fertility. Starting 1 January 2027, women in Ho Chi Minh City who give birth will receive at least 2 million VND in support. For mothers under 35 having their second child, an additional 5 million VND and an extension of maternity leave to seven months await.
The Ministry of Health has also proposed rewarding communes where more than 60 percent of women go on to have a second child. But demography professor Nguyen Dinh Cu warns that economic aid alone is insufficient; it must be paired with stronger public messaging on gender equality to dismantle persistent prejudices.
Overhaul of preferential treatment for veterans
During a visit to the Long Dat Center on 19 July 2026, National Assembly Chairman Tran Thanh Man confirmed that the ordinance on preferential treatment for people with meritorious services is undergoing revision. The goal is to widen the pool of beneficiaries and raise allowances for wounded soldiers and relatives of victims, ensuring their living standards exceed the national average.
International comparisons
While Vietnam focuses on financial coverage, other countries are pressing for longer leave. In Switzerland, a petition carrying roughly 111,000 signatures was handed over on 20 July 2026, demanding maternity leave be extended from the current 14 weeks to six months.
On the same day in the United States, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced measures to boost military readiness: starting at age 30, soldiers will have their testosterone levels measured, with hormone treatments offered if needed. The plan drew criticism from Representative Houlahan.
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