Vietnam reviews social subsidies and medical recruitment incentives

Vietnam's Ministry of Health is researching ways to expand social pension and subsidy policies. This includes potentially reducing the eligibility age and increasing benefit levels for individuals without pensions or those who do not qualify for social insurance. The Ministry has responded to voter petitions from Thanh Hoa and Quang Tri provinces regarding the need to raise social assistance standards to better meet the living needs of vulnerable groups, such as people with severe disabilities.

In Quang Tri province, new policies have been implemented to attract medical personnel for the 2026–2030 period. Under Decision No. 3916/QD-UBND, the province will provide one-time financial incentives to doctors. High-level experts, such as professors and associate professors, can receive up to 500 million VND. Other tiers of support include 400 million VND for medical doctors with PhDs or specialist level II qualifications, 350 million VND for resident doctors, and 300 million VND for medical masters or excellent graduates. These payments are made directly to personal accounts, contingent upon a commitment to work in the region. The policy also aims to support grassroots healthcare by providing monthly allowances for existing staff and incentives for midwives and nurses working in difficult rural areas.