Vietnam’s Health Insurance 2025: The Update Everyone Panicked About… But Didn’t Need To
If you work in HR or payroll in Vietnam, you’ve probably heard the rumour:
“Health Insurance is increasing to 6%! Prepare your wallet!”
Good news:
That rumour can go straight into the recycling bin.. at least for now!
As of Q4 2025, under Decree 188/2025, the official contribution rate remains:
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Employer: 3%
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Employee: 1.5%
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Total: 4.5%
The amended Health Insurance Law (Law No. 51/2024/QH15) does introduce a new 6% contribution ceiling, but this is simply the Government giving itself space to adjust in the future — not an actual change right now.
So no, payroll did not suddenly become 33% more expensive.
We can all go back to breathing normally again.
What Did Change? Quite a Lot — And All Good News
The law didn’t raise contributions, but it did upgrade the entire coverage system. Here are the important highlights:
1️⃣ Telemedicine is officially covered
Yes — employees can now consult a doctor through video call while wrapped in a blanket and drinking trà gừng.
2️⃣ Home-based medical care
For certain conditions, individuals can now receive medical care right at home.
Sofa + blanket +医保? Approved.
3️⃣ Family-doctor / GP-style system
Vietnam is introducing a more structured family-doctor care pathway — like having a “primary care doctor” who knows your history.
4️⃣ Digital health insurance cards
Finally, HI e-cards are fully recognised by law.
Show your phone, not your plastic card (that we all lose at least twice a year).
5️⃣ Better protection for long-term contributors
If an employee has paid HI continuously for 5 years, they get 100% coverage once their total co-pays exceed 6 times the reference level.
That’s a big win for employee well-being.
What Employers Need To Know (in 60 seconds)
✓ Rate stays at 4.5%
No change, no increase, no surprise budgeting.
✓ The new law is already in effect (July 2025)
Coverage changes have kicked in, but contribution changes have not.
✓ The “reference level” now replaces minimum salary for certain calculations
HR Forte’s system already reflects this logic.
✓ Penalties remain strict
0.03% per day for late or underpayment — so don’t test your luck.
✓ Keep your payroll system flexible
If the Government decides to increase to 6% later, systems must be ready.
HR Forte x AskGenie: We've Already Updated Everything
At HR Forte, all compliance parameters — including the new legal references, coverage benefits, and contribution ceilings — have already been updated in the payroll engine.
Ask Genie can now answer:
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“Is it 4.5% or 6%?”
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“What’s included in the new coverage?”
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“Am I eligible for telemedicine reimbursement?”
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“What changed after Decree 188?”
All in English, Vietnamese, or whichever language your team prefers.
So while the law changed, your workflow… doesn’t have to.
Final Thoughts: More Benefits, Same Cost — A Rare Win
It’s not every day that a country upgrades its healthcare benefits without increasing the cost.
Vietnam’s 2025 update is one of those rare happy moments in the HR compliance world.
Enjoy it. Celebrate it.
And if anyone asks whether Health Insurance is now 6%…
you can gently smile and say:
“Nope. Still 4.5%. But the perks got better.”