Vietnam Social Security (VSS) marks the 31st anniversary of establishment and development with achievements and success

Since the establishment under Decree No. 19/CP dated February 16, 1995, of the Government, the VSS system has gradually affirmed its role as the main pillar of the national social security network, always adhering to the motto of putting people at the center, the subject and object of service.

In 2025 – the final year of implementing the Resolution of the 13th Party Congress and the socio-economic development plan for the 2021-2025 period, the VSS system has faced many major changes. The intertwined impacts from the world economic situation, domestic labor market fluctuations, the requirements of arranging and streamlining the state apparatus, implementing the two-level local government model, and a series of new policies taking effect from July 1, 2025, have put great pressure on the organization and implementation of social security policies. In that context, VSS still maintains the consistent goal of ensuring full and timely benefits for participants, leaving no one interrupted from enjoying the policies

The reality of 2025 clearly shows the shift in social security governance thinking of the VSS’s  system, from an administrative management approach to service governance, putting people at the center of reform and implementation. At the Conference of delegates of officials, civil servants, public employees, and summarizing the work of 2025 organized by the Ministry of Finance on January 14, 2026, Deputy Director of VSS  Chu Manh Sinh emphasized that the implementation of democracy at the grassroots level is identified as a consistent governance method. Listening to the opinions and feedback of people and businesses is considered as the main focus, becoming an important channel to adjust professional processes, improve policies, and enhance service quality.

In 2025, the entire VSS system  received, processed, consulted, and addressed nearly 3 million requests and questions from citizens and businesses. This not only reflects a substantial workload but also indicates the proactive and responsible approach of the social security office in supporting participants and promptly resolving issues arising during policy implementation.

Additionally, the effort to reform administrative procedures in conjunction with digital transformation continues to be a significant highlight. In 2025, the VSS system received approximately 149.9 million administrative procedure settlement documents, of which 136.4 million were processed via electronic transactions, accounting for 91% of the total received documents (a 2% increase compared to 2024). The fact that the rate of timely processing of applications reached over 92.3% clearly reflects the effectiveness of digitizing processes, standardizing operations, and restructuring the information technology system to suit the new organizational model.

These reform efforts have yielded noticeable results in the perception of citizens and businesses. Consequently, the satisfaction level of organizations and individuals with the service of the social security office  reached approximately 89.5%, exceeding the target assigned by Resolution No. 28-NQ/TW by 4.5 percentage points. This is a crucial indicator affirming a strong shift in service mindset, gradually building the image of a friendly, professional, and modern social security office.

In parallel with administrative reform, VSS proactively advised on the completion of policies towards expanding benefits and universal social security coverage. The synthesis of feedback from practical implementation has contributed to the formation of many new regulations in the Law on Social Insurance (SI) 2024 and the amended and supplemented Law on Health Insurance (HI) 2024, effective from July 1, 2025. New points such as reducing the minimum number of years of SI contributions from 20 to 15 years to be eligible for a pension, adding maternity benefits for voluntary SI participants, and expanding the scope of HI payments have created more opportunities for millions of people to access social security, especially workers in the informal sector and vulnerable groups.

In response to the severe damage caused by late-2025 storms and floods in the Central and Central Highlands regions, VSS once again demonstrated its pivotal role in the social security system. Following its advisory role to the Government in issuing Resolution No. 380/NQ-CP, VSS implemented the lump-sum payment of three months’ worth of pensions and SI allowances to beneficiaries in heavily affected localities, helping hundreds of thousands of residents stabilize their lives at an early stage. At the same time, VSS expedited the issuance and renewal of HI cards and coordinated closely with the health sector to ensure uninterrupted access to medical examination and treatment for people in disaster-hit areas. Thousands of cases were handled flexibly to prevent any disruption of entitlements during difficult times.

The implementation results in 2025 further reaffirmed the solid pillar role of the social security system in stabilizing livelihoods and supporting socio-economic development. SI coverage was estimated at 45.1 percent of the working-age labor force, including approximately 39.6 percent covered by compulsory SI and 5.49 percent by voluntary SI. Unemployment insurance coverage reached 35.07 percent of the working-age labor force, while HI coverage stood at 95.16 percent of the population, steadily approaching the goal of universal HI.

Entering 2026—the first year of the 2026–2030 Socio-Economic Development Plan—with an increasingly strengthened foundation, VSS continues to affirm its leading role in implementing social security policies, contributing to the development of a sustainable and inclusive social protection system and providing a solid foundation for the country’s stable and long-term development.