(Source: Viet Nam Social Security) 

From March 1 2017, Government Decree No.166/2016/ND-CP stipulating electronic transactions on social insurance (SI), health insurance (HI) and unemployment insurance (UI) (“social insurance” collectively) shall come into force.

The decree provides regulations on electronic transactions on SI, HI and UI including: registration for electronic transactions, settlement of benefit claims, assessment and reimbursement of HI medical costs and exchange of information on social insurance.

Conditions and methods for transactions

To conduct electronic transactions on social insurance, agencies, enterprises and individuals must meet the following two conditions:

1. Possession of a valid digital certificate granted by an authorised digital signature provider or using an electronic authentication code granted by Vietnam Social Security (VSS) if the digital certificate has not been granted;

2. Able to use the internet; registered address with VSS.

Users have the right to select transaction methods: directly through the e-portal of Vietnam Social Security, or indirectly via authorised I-VAN service provider (Insurance Value Added Network) 24 hours a day and seven days a week.

Electronic social insurance documents have the same legal value as records, documents, announcements and paper documents. Social insurance electronic documents include: electronic social insurance profiles, accounting records (in accordance with VSS regulations on accounting by electronic means), other documents and reports submitted to VSS through electronic transactions.

The above electronic documents must have digital signatures of all authorised individuals responsible for signing social insurance electronic documents.

Transaction rules

Electronic transactions must comply with regulations on electronic transactions, laws on SI, HI, UI, labour safety and hygiene, and protection of State secrets and other relevant legislation.

The implementation of electronic transactions must ensure clarity, equity, honesty, security, efficiency and comply with the law on privacy and information integrity.

Agencies, enterprises and individuals are entitled to choose electronic or paper transactions on social insurance.

Electronic transactions on social insurance are expected to contribute to the modernisation plan of VSS, helping employers timely manage their documents and offering them the best conditions to complete social insurance procedures.

International Cooperation Department