137 diseases allow for the disclosure of fetal sex.

The Ministry of Health has issued a list of 137 diseases for which the sex of the fetus can be revealed for diagnostic and treatment purposes, and has stipulated fines of up to 30 million VND for violations.

The Ministry of Health has just issued Circular No. 11/2026/TT-BYT stipulating the list of diseases for which fetal sex can be disclosed to aid in diagnosis and treatment.

The ultrasound doctor assesses the fetus's development. Photo: Thanh Huong

This Circular shall take effect from July 1, 2026.

Revealing the baby's gender is necessary for diagnosing the disease.

According to Circular 11/2026, the diseases for which fetal sex is disclosed for diagnostic and treatment purposes (as detailed in Clause 3, Article 6 of the Population Law) include 137 diseases and syndromes; among them are gene-related diseases, chromosomal abnormalities, congenital diseases, etc.

The Ministry of Health requires medical facilities to only disclose the sex of the fetus for diagnostic and treatment purposes according to the prescribed list; to provide counseling before and after performing technical services to patients regarding the scope, significance, limitations of the technical service, and the possibility of not detecting certain diseases during testing.

According to the Ministry of Health, the list of 137 diseases includes genetic or congenital diseases, disorders, and syndromes related to sex chromosomes or genes affecting the process of sex determination and development, where determining fetal sex is significant in the diagnosis, prognosis, treatment, or prevention of the disease.

Sex-linked genetic disorders (a group of diseases caused by gene variants located on sex chromosomes); disorders of sexual development (congenital conditions causing atypical sexual development due to abnormalities of sex chromosomes, gonads, or genitalia).

The maximum fine is 30 million VND.

The Ministry of Health announced that from May 15th, violations related to sex selection of fetuses will be subject to fines of up to 30 million VND according to Decree No. 90/ND-CP on administrative penalties in the health sector.

A fine of 7-15 million VND will be imposed for threatening to use force or intimidating someone to coerce them into using methods to obtain a desired fetal sex. A fine of 15-20 million VND will be imposed for using force to coerce someone into using methods to obtain a desired fetal sex.

A fine of 20-25 million VND will be imposed for any of the following acts: prescribing, instructing the use of, or supplying drugs and preparations that affect the conception process to obtain a desired fetal sex; researching methods to obtain a desired fetal sex, except in cases permitted by law. Additional penalties include: suspension of the facility's operations for 1-3 months; revocation of the license or certificate of medical practice for 1-3 months.

A fine of 7-10 million VND will be imposed for the act of enticing or persuading a pregnant woman to terminate her pregnancy for the purpose of sex selection. A fine of 10-15 million VND will be imposed for the act of psychologically threatening a pregnant woman to force her to terminate her pregnancy for the purpose of sex selection.

A fine of 15-20 million VND will be imposed for using force to compel a pregnant woman to terminate her pregnancy for sex selection reasons. A fine of 20-25 million VND will be imposed for any of the following acts: providing chemicals or drugs to terminate a pregnancy knowing that the pregnant woman wants to terminate the pregnancy for sex selection reasons.

Newborn care at the National Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital

Fines ranging from 25 to 30 million VND will be imposed for performing an abortion while knowing that the pregnant woman wishes to terminate the pregnancy for sex selection reasons, with additional penalties including: revocation of operating license, professional certificate, or license for 3-6 months; 6-12 months, etc.

A fine of 5-7 million VND will be imposed for fortune-telling to determine the sex of a fetus. A fine of 7-15 million VND will be imposed for taking the pulse, performing ultrasounds, or conducting tests on pregnant women to diagnose and disclose information about the sex of the fetus (except in cases where the law stipulates otherwise); and the operating license, permit, or professional certificate will be revoked for a period of 1-3 months.

The head of the medical facility is legally responsible if the sex of the fetus is disclosed or revealed for purposes other than diagnosis or treatment, or outside the scope of regulations.

Source: https://baolaocai.vn/137-benh-duoc-phep-tiet-lo-gioi-tinh-thai-nhi-post899840.html