On August 28, 2025, Vietnam marked a pivotal moment in its digital transformation journey, as the government rolled out a nationwide initiative to provide social welfare accounts linked directly to citizens’ VNeID profiles. This bold step, grounded in the government’s Resolution No. 11/NQ-CP from January 9, 2024, promises to reshape how millions of Vietnamese access essential welfare benefits, insurance, and healthcare services. With the collaboration of major banks and government ministries, the new system aims to deliver payments transparently, cut bureaucratic red tape, and boost public trust in the country’s social safety net.
At the heart of this transformation is the VNeID app, Vietnam’s official digital identification platform. Starting with version 2.1.3, the app now supports integration with social welfare accounts, allowing citizens to access a range of public benefits quickly and securely. According to Báo Nghệ An, this integration “helps citizens access quickly social welfare policies, insurance support, healthcare, and other social services.” In other words, it’s not just about receiving money—it’s about making the entire process smoother and more accessible for everyone involved.
The government assigned the Ministry of Home Affairs to take the lead, working closely with the Ministry of Public Security, the State Bank of Vietnam, the Social Policy Bank, and various stakeholders to develop and implement the plan. This cross-agency effort reflects the complexity and ambition of the project. The goal? To ensure that every Vietnamese citizen can claim their rightful benefits with minimal hassle, using a single, unified digital account tied to their personal identification number.
For those wondering how it all works, the process has been carefully designed to be as straightforward as possible. On August 27, 2025, Báo Nghệ An published a detailed, step-by-step guide for citizens eager to register their social welfare accounts via the VNeID app. The instructions walk users through logging into the app, selecting the “Social Welfare” section, and entering their bank account or mobile money details. After providing personal information such as full name, date of birth, ID number, and bank account number, users simply check a box agreeing to data sharing and submit their request. The system then confirms successful registration, signaling that the user is now ready to receive government disbursements online.
But the government isn’t going it alone. On the same day as the official rollout, Vietnam’s major banks—BIDV, Vietcombank, VietinBank, and MB—announced their own coordinated instructions to help customers link their bank accounts with VNeID. According to CafeF, each bank provided clear, step-by-step guidance tailored to their platforms. For example, VietinBank users are instructed to log into VNeID, select “Social Welfare,” choose VietinBank, enter their account number, agree to data sharing, and submit the request. BIDV’s process is nearly identical, with the added step of entering a nine-digit ID number if required. MB and Vietcombank also outlined similar procedures, emphasizing the importance of verifying personal information before confirming the link.
For many, this might sound like a lot of clicking and typing, but the payoff is significant. By linking their bank accounts to VNeID, citizens can now receive government payments directly, without the need for paper forms, long queues, or repeated trips to local offices. The integration is designed to be “transparent and reduce administrative procedures,” as highlighted by Báo Nghệ An. In practice, this means less time spent navigating bureaucracy and more time focusing on what matters—whether that’s caring for family, managing a business, or simply enjoying daily life.
Importantly, the new system is also about trust and security. With the rise of digital transactions, concerns about fraud and account safety are never far from people’s minds. On August 28, 2025, CafeF issued a warning to account holders: “Act immediately if abnormal activity is detected to avoid losing money.” This reminder underscores the need for vigilance as more people move their financial interactions online. Banks and government agencies are working to ensure robust safeguards, but citizens are encouraged to stay alert and report any suspicious activity.
So why is this move such a big deal for Vietnam? For starters, it represents a major leap in the country’s ongoing digital transformation. By tying social welfare directly to digital identification, the government is modernizing not just how benefits are paid, but how citizens interact with the state itself. The new approach promises to “connect population data, ensure transparency, and limit fraud in the disbursement process,” as reported by Báo Nghệ An. In other words, it’s about building a more open, accountable, and efficient public sector.
It’s also a matter of equity. Social welfare is, at its core, about protecting the most vulnerable—those facing unemployment, illness, or other hardships. By making it easier to access benefits, the government hopes to “save time and costs for both citizens and managing agencies,” while also promoting social justice. The new system is expected to make life simpler for millions, especially those in remote or underserved areas who previously struggled with paperwork and travel expenses.
Of course, no system is perfect from day one. As with any major rollout, there will be bumps along the road—technical glitches, user confusion, and the ever-present threat of cybercrime. That’s why ongoing education and support are so crucial. The banks’ decision to publish detailed guides and the government’s commitment to user-friendly app design are steps in the right direction. Plus, by encouraging feedback and adapting to real-world challenges, officials hope to fine-tune the process over time.
For those still on the fence, the message from both government and banks is clear: Don’t wait. With the new system in place, registering a social welfare account via VNeID is not just a convenience—it’s a safeguard for the future. As digital payments become the norm and Vietnam’s population grows ever more connected, this integration could serve as a model for other sectors, from healthcare to education and beyond.
In the end, the launch of social welfare accounts linked to VNeID isn’t just about technology or policy—it’s about people. It’s about making sure that every Vietnamese citizen can access the help they need, when they need it, with dignity and ease. As the country moves forward, all eyes will be on how this ambitious initiative delivers on its promise of a fairer, more efficient social safety net for all.
