The Ministry of Finance is seeking public input on the draft Decision assigning the 2026 budget estimates for social insurance (SI), health insurance (HI), unemployment insurance (UI), and operational expenses of Vietnam’s Social Insurance system.
According to the draft, the total revenue for SI, HI, and UI in 2026 is projected at VND 664.710 trillion, comprising VND 611.549 trillion from contributions and VND 53.161 trillion from investment returns. Specifically, SI revenue is expected to reach VND 412.703 trillion, UI revenue VND 27.041 trillion, and HI revenue VND 171.805 trillion.
In 2026, the HI fund is expected to allocate over VND 158.060 trillion for healthcare services.
Additionally, the total expenditure for benefits in 2026 is estimated at over VND 526.772 trillion. This includes VND 318.024.2 trillion for SI benefits, over VND 27.225 trillion for UI benefits, and approximately VND 166.668 trillion for HI benefits. The HI fund will specifically allocate more than VND 158.060 trillion for healthcare services and over VND 8.607 trillion for a reserve fund to manage fluctuations in healthcare demand.
The draft also outlines that in 2026, approximately VND 14.854 trillion will be allocated for the operational expenses of Vietnam’s Social Insurance system. This includes over VND 486 billion for policy communication, more than VND 8.444 trillion for administrative reforms and participant management, around VND 1.519 trillion for asset upgrades and repairs, and VND 4.405 trillion for operational costs.
The operational expenses for the SI fund in 2026 are expected to be equivalent to 1.26% of the fund’s budget estimates (excluding HI contributions for SI beneficiaries), sourced from investment returns. Similarly, UI operational expenses are set at 1.26% of UI revenue (excluding HI contributions for UI beneficiaries), drawn from the UI fund.
For HI, operational expenses in 2026 are projected at 2.99% of total HI contributions, directly sourced from the HI fund.
According to the draft, the 2026 budget estimates will only serve as a basis for allocating operational expenses for SI, UI, and HI, not for fund settlements. Settlements will be based on actual revenue and expenditure, adhering to legal regulations on contribution and benefit schemes. The Social Insurance agency will conduct settlements following current financial mechanisms and relevant decrees.
Based on the 2026 budget estimates approved by the Prime Minister, the Ministries of National Defense, Public Security, Home Affairs, and Vietnam’s Social Insurance will allocate and assign budgets to their respective units, ensuring transparency and compliance with regulations.
Unemployed Workers to Receive Allowance Five Times the Minimum Wage
Under the new regulations, the maximum unemployment benefit for workers has been increased to five times the regional minimum wage, replacing the current calculation based on the base salary.
