Vietnam increases social welfare standards to 540,000 VND

Effective October 5, 2026, Decree 335/2026/NĐ-CP has implemented a significant increase in social welfare standards in Vietnam. The standard social assistance level has risen from 500,000 VND to 540,000 VND per month.

This adjustment affects approximately 2.5 million elderly citizens receiving social retirement benefits who do not have a monthly pension or social insurance. Eligible groups include citizens aged 75 and older, as well as those aged 70 to 75 from poor or near-poor households. Additionally, the new standard serves as the basis for calculating allowances for people with disabilities and caregivers.

To ensure maximum benefits, the government has applied a retroactive policy, allowing beneficiaries to claim the difference in payments dating back to July 1, 2026.

Regarding digital integration, Decree 320/2026/NĐ-CP has introduced the ability to link social welfare accounts to the VNeID application. This allows recipients to receive payments via integrated bank accounts or e-wallets. However, officials emphasize that those unable to use smartphones or VNeID can continue to receive benefits through traditional methods.