Vietnam updates procedures for processing social insurance and unemployment benefits to align with a unified national data system

The process for resolving social insurance and unemployment benefits has been amended to require that benefit processing be based on the social insurance book showing the contribution history, synchronized with Vietnam’s centralized national data management database.

Use of centralized electronic data

Where files and documents are already stored in the Social Insurance Administration’s database, the national database, or specialized databases (such as electronic civil status and medical examination records), organizations and individuals are not required to resubmit documents.

The Receiving–Result Department and the Social Insurance Regimes Office must access and verify electronic data before processing. If the data cannot be accessed, supplementation is required, and individuals or organizations should be directed to contact the competent authorities to update the information.

Payment list preparation and correct disbursement

The preparation of payment lists for social insurance and unemployment benefits must comply with the law, the Decision, and related guidance issued by Vietnam Social Security. Payments must be made to the right person, at the right time, and in the correct amount as reflected on the payment list.

Handling cases of insufficient contributions

For workers whose employing units have not paid enough mandatory social insurance contributions, benefit processing must follow Government Decree No. 158/2025/ND-CP, which details and guides the implementation of certain provisions of the Social Insurance Law on mandatory social insurance.

Returns, coordination, and data reconciliation

If there is no accrual data in the system, or if the system data does not match the social insurance book, or if the contribution process for social and unemployment insurance has not been fully verified on the social insurance book, or if there is a request to adjust, cancel, terminate, or continue benefits but accrual data has not been adjusted, the case is returned to the Revenue Management Office (per form) or coordinated with the social insurance authority where accrual is collected to adjust and re-verify data.

System locking after benefit resolution

After resolving benefits such as retirement, death benefits, one-time social insurance, monthly allowances, or compiling the unemployment insurance payout list, the system will automatically lock the corresponding participation in social insurance and unemployment insurance.

Recovery of mispaid amounts and responsibility

If accrual, processing, and payout do not follow professional procedures, resulting in incorrect social insurance or unemployment insurance benefits—such as payment to the wrong person, unit, training facility beneficiary, or amounts exceeding the limit due to fault of the Social Insurance agency—the mispaid amount must be fully recovered.

The principle stated is that if an error occurs at any stage, the department and the individual responsible for that stage must urge the beneficiary, unit, or training facility to repay the recovered amount.

If the amount cannot be recovered, the related department or the responsible individual must fully compensate the unrecovered amount as prescribed by law.

Adjustment when approval is below the statutory amount

If approval of social insurance benefits is lower than the statutory amount, it must be adjusted so the beneficiary receives the additional amount.

Document requirements and data interoperability

The list of documents for sickness, maternity, convalescence, work-related injury or disease, retirement, death, monthly allowances, one-time social insurance, and related cases is also detailed. Many documents (including death certificates, birth certificates, medical examination reports, and discharge papers) are replaced by interoperable, shared data.

Guidance on using electronic social insurance book and health insurance card

Guidance is provided on the use of the electronic social insurance book and the health insurance card.

Photo: Nhat Duong.