Vietnam is on the cusp of sweeping changes to its social policies, with two major laws set to transform the lives of both teachers and retirees starting in 2025 and 2026. These legislative updates—targeting the education sector and pension system—aim to address longstanding challenges, improve working conditions, and provide broader social security. But how will these changes play out for everyday citizens? Let’s take a closer look.
First, the new Teacher Law (Luật Nhà giáo), which will come into force on January 1, 2026, introduces a raft of measures designed to support teachers’ health, living conditions, and compensation—especially for those working in difficult regions or handling extra educational duties. According to FDVN Law Firm, these changes are not just timely but necessary, given the unique pressures and health risks teachers face in Vietnam.
Article 24, Clause 1 of the new law grants teachers the right to regular health care and occupational health support. In the past, annual health check-ups for teachers were often irregular, and many had to pay out of pocket. This has been a sore point in the profession, as teaching is widely recognized as a high-risk occupation. Teachers frequently suffer from ailments like pharyngitis, reduced vision, allergic rhinitis from chalk dust, spinal problems from standing for long periods, and even psychological disorders due to the relentless demands of intellectual labor and persistent work pressure.
By formalizing health care support, the law acknowledges these risks and aims to improve teaching quality over the long haul. "The addition of occupational health care support policies for teachers is seen as appropriate for the profession’s nature and helps enhance long-term teaching quality," FDVN reports. This is a significant step, as it not only addresses immediate health concerns but also recognizes the cumulative toll the profession can take on educators.
But health is only part of the equation. Teachers working in Vietnam’s mountainous, border, island, or otherwise remote and economically challenged areas will now be eligible for new forms of support, including housing rent assistance, transportation cost reimbursement, and living condition adjustments tailored to the local context. Previously, such benefits were scattered across various sub-legal documents and inconsistently applied. Now, for the first time, these provisions are consolidated in a specialized law, aiming to create a more stable and supportive environment for teachers who commit to serving in underserved regions.
Another major innovation is the introduction of a mobile allowance for teachers involved in educational dissemination—commonly known as "phổ cập giáo dục." This work, which involves tasks like data verification, statistics, mobilizing students, updating records, and coordinating between schools, is particularly demanding at the start of each academic year. Teachers assigned these duties are often stretched thin, balancing their regular teaching load with these additional responsibilities. In recent years, some localities have scaled back or eliminated previously granted reductions in teaching hours for these teachers, further increasing their workload and stress.
The new law not only acknowledges the burden but offers tangible compensation. As FDVN notes, "The law recognizes and partially compensates for the pressure on teachers with additional duties, supporting localities in maintaining and improving the quality of educational dissemination." This move is expected to help schools retain teachers in these challenging roles and ultimately boost the quality of education delivery across Vietnam.
Successful implementation, however, will depend on more than just good intentions. The Ministry of Education and Training is expected to issue detailed guidance soon, clarifying which teachers are eligible, under what conditions, and how funds will be allocated and monitored. Local governments and educational institutions will also play a critical role in ensuring that support reaches the right people and that errors or abuses are minimized. As FDVN points out, "Continuous evaluation and adjustment of policies are necessary to ensure practical impact and build a stable and sustainable teaching workforce."
While educators await these changes, another group—retirees—will see their own lives transformed even sooner. A new Social Insurance Law takes effect on July 1, 2025, bringing a long-awaited reduction in the minimum social insurance contribution period required to qualify for a pension. Under the previous law, men needed at least 20 years of contributions to be eligible for a pension. But as of next year, that threshold drops to just 15 years, provided the retiree meets the statutory retirement age.
This is a game-changer for many older workers who, for various reasons, were unable to accumulate 20 years of contributions. Take the case of a 62-year-old man who retired in 2025 after contributing to social insurance for 15 years. According to FDVN, under the old law he would not have qualified for a pension. But with the new law in place, he is now eligible. Article 64 of the 2024 Social Insurance Law states that anyone who has paid compulsory social insurance for at least 15 years and meets the retirement age condition can receive a pension.
The retirement age itself is also being gradually increased, targeting 62 for men by 2028 and 60 for women by 2035. Since 2021, the retirement age for men has been set at 60 years and 3 months, increasing by three months each year; for women, it’s 55 years and 4 months, with a four-month annual increment. The idea is to align Vietnam’s retirement system with demographic trends and ensure its long-term sustainability.
But how much will these new pensioners actually receive? Article 66, Clause 1b of the 2024 Social Insurance Law spells it out: For men with 15 to under 20 years of contributions, the monthly pension is set at 40% of the average salary used as the basis for social insurance contributions over the last 10 years before retirement. For each additional year of contributions beyond 15, the pension increases by 1%.
FDVN provides a clear example: "The monthly pension = 40% x Average salary used for social insurance contributions over the last 10 years before retirement." This formula gives retirees a predictable and transparent way to calculate their entitlements, which is a major step forward in terms of fairness and clarity.
Of course, these changes will require careful rollout and ongoing oversight. The Ministry of Labor, Invalids and Social Affairs, along with local authorities, will need to ensure that retirees understand the new rules and that benefits are distributed accurately and efficiently. As with the Teacher Law, continuous evaluation and adjustment will be necessary to ensure the reforms deliver their intended benefits.
In sum, Vietnam’s new laws for teachers and retirees mark a significant shift in the country’s approach to social policy. By addressing health and financial security for teachers and lowering the pension threshold for retirees, the government is taking concrete steps to improve the lives of millions. The real test, however, will be in the details of implementation and the ability of local institutions to bring these ambitious policies to life.