1. Period prior to 1945

Prior to 1945, there was no legislation on social insurance in Viet Nam due to the country being under French colonial rule. The people’s living conditions were extremely harsh and impoverished.

Nevertheless, the Vietnamese people traditionally upheld mutual support and assistance in times of hardship and adversity, particularly through family, clan, and village-based community protection mechanisms. In addition, certain churches organized care for orphans and charitable relief activities, which may be regarded as early forms of social security.

2. Period from 1945 to 1954

In August 1945, the Democratic Republic of Viet Nam was established. In December 1946, the National Assembly adopted the first Constitution of the democratic people’s state, which recognized the rights of elderly persons and persons with disabilities to receive social assistance.

On 12 March 1947, President Ho Chi Minh signed Decree No. 29/SL providing for allowance regimes for workers.

On 20 May 1950, President Ho Chi Minh signed Decrees Nos. 76 and 77 providing for sickness, maternity, occupational accident, and retirement benefit regimes applicable to public employees, officials, and workers.

The legal framework and policies on social insurance during this period were implemented on a limited scale due to the severe conditions of the resistance war. Nevertheless, this period marked the strong attention of the Party and the State toward social insurance policies. The regulations promulgated during this period also laid an important foundation for the subsequent development of social insurance in Viet Nam.

3. Period from 1954 to 1975

Following the liberation of Northern Viet Nam and the commencement of socialist development, legislation on social insurance was rapidly expanded and strengthened.

The Social Insurance Statute promulgated on 27 December 1961 may be regarded as the original foundational legal instrument on social insurance in Viet Nam. It provided for state officials and employees as the covered subjects, established a system of six social insurance regimes, and stipulated that the social insurance fund formed part of the state budget and was financed through contributions from state agencies and units.

In 1964, the Regulation on Benefits for Military Personnel was promulgated. In Southern Viet Nam, social insurance schemes were also implemented for civil servants and military personnel serving under the former administration.

4. Period from 1975 to 1995

Social insurance policies were implemented uniformly throughout the country following national reunification. During this period, the social insurance regime underwent various amendments and supplements to align with socio-economic conditions.

However, following the transition from a centrally planned subsidized economy to a socialist-oriented market economy, shortcomings in social insurance policies gradually emerged, requiring further amendment and supplementation.

5. Period from 1995 to March 2025

During this period, social insurance coverage was expanded. An independent social insurance fund separate from the state budget was established on the basis of contributions from employees, employers, and support from the State. A specialized agency was also established to administer the fund and implement social insurance benefit regimes.

On 16 February 1995, the Government promulgated Decree No. 19/CP establishing Viet Nam Social Security on the basis of consolidating relevant functions and duties previously performed by the Ministry of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs and the Viet Nam General Confederation of Labour.

On 24 January 2002, the Government promulgated Decision No. 20/2002/QĐ-TTg transferring responsibility for health insurance administration from the Ministry of Health to Viet Nam Social Security.

6. Period from March 2025 to the present

Pursuant to Decree No. 29/2025/NĐ-CP dated 24 February 2025 of the Government, from 1 March 2025, Viet Nam Social Security officially became a specialized unit under the Ministry of Finance.

On 12 September 2025, the Minister of Finance promulgated Decision No. 3179/QĐ-BTC prescribing the functions, duties, powers, and organizational structure of Viet Nam Social Security under the Ministry of Finance.

Accordingly, with regard to its position and functions, Viet Nam Social Security is a specialized unit under the Ministry of Finance responsible for organizing the implementation of social insurance and health insurance regimes and policies; organizing the collection and payment of unemployment insurance benefits; managing and utilizing off-budget state financial funds, including social insurance, unemployment insurance, and health insurance funds; and conducting specialized inspections concerning the payment of social insurance, unemployment insurance, and health insurance contributions in accordance with law. Viet Nam Social Security also participates with competent state authorities in formulating, amending, and improving policies and laws on social insurance, unemployment insurance, and health insurance.