Women in Ho Chi Minh City who have two children before the age of 35, with the second child born from September 1, 2025, will receive a subsidy of 5 million VND - Photo: QUANG DINH
Most readers acknowledged this as an effort by the government to encourage childbirth in the context of low birth rates, but some readers also wondered: the long-term perspective needs to be considered, such as providing additional support to reduce the economic burden of raising children.
Having already received 3 million VND for having two children, will I receive an additional 2 million VND in support?
Many readers believe that the 5 million VND support is merely symbolic and not realistic. One reader questioned: "What can 5 million VND do in the expensive living conditions of Ho Chi Minh City?"
Many others compared the cost of childbirth alone or a few months' tuition fees, finding that the amount of financial assistance exceeded the subsidy. Reader BK calculated: "5 million VND is equivalent to 5 months' tuition fees, how am I supposed to manage the remaining months?"
Conversely, many readers expressed their appreciation for the government's encouraging gesture.
Nguyen Hong Trong wrote: "Regardless of the amount of money, whether it's a lot or a little, or whether it's enough to encourage or not, just receiving a gift is something to be very happy about!"
Reader BB countered: "Many people are overjoyed if they find 5 million VND on the street these days, but then complain here that 5 million VND isn't worth it. Nobody forces you to have more children just to earn money; any income is good."
Reader Ai also shared: "The government encourages it, but if we have it, that's great; if not, that's okay too. We'll raise our own children."
In addition, there are still a series of questions from readers focusing on eligibility requirements. Many people wonder whether it's sufficient to have two children before the age of 35 to be eligible, or whether they must have children within a specific period.
Reader Huehue asks: "So, those who give birth before September 1, 2025, will not receive the subsidy?" Another account states that in their locality, ward officials explained that "it only applies to cases of second births from the end of 2024 onwards."
Other questions include: if someone previously received 3 million VND in support, are they eligible for an additional 2 million VND? Or, can women who gave birth to two children before the age of 35 many years ago receive retroactive benefits?
Ms. Linh asked: "I was born in 1989, had my first child in 2014, and my second in 2024, is that okay?"
Not only women, but many husbands also joined the forum to "ask on behalf of others." "My wife was born in 1983, we have two children in 2010 and 2014, and she gave birth to our second child at 32. Am I entitled to the 5 million VND benefit, and what are the procedures?", reader Minh Phụng specifically asked.
Similarly, another question arises: "Is it okay if my wife gave birth to three children before the age of 35?" Another person wonders: "I've been raising my children since they were young because I'm divorced; am I eligible for support as a father?"
Another group of opinions argues that the policy would be unfair if it only supported women under 35. Reader Son wrote: "So those over 35 won't get support? It would be fairer to encourage women with two children to receive support."
"All families with two or more children should receive support, preferably those under 18, as this would be fair to all mothers," suggested a reader named Trung.
Some opinions also suggest expanding the policy to include women who have difficulty conceiving and who have children later in life due to health reasons. "If the age requirement is removed, the policy will be even better because not everyone can control their childbirth," Ms. Linh stated.
The biggest worry isn't giving birth, but raising the child.
Besides discussing the rationale, many readers frankly stated that the biggest obstacle for young people today is not having children, but the cost of raising them. A reader named Coc wrote: "The population is aging, young people are reluctant to get married because of the economic burden…".
"If meal fees for students at all levels are waived, the birth rate will definitely increase. Having children isn't the problem; the biggest worry is raising them and paying for their education," suggested a parent named Hang.
Other opinions suggest that Ho Chi Minh City should make payments through the population data system and social security accounts to ensure transparency and avoid inconvenience for citizens when going through the procedures.
Many readers have also reported that when they went to the ward office to inquire, they received different answers; some said they would receive 3 million VND, while others said "it hasn't been implemented yet."
"There needs to be clear, publicly available regulations online so that people can easily look them up and avoid situations where different places offer different interpretations," one reader suggested.
Given that Ho Chi Minh City has one of the lowest birth rates in the country, any efforts to encourage childbearing are commendable. However, as many readers have emphasized, for policies to be truly effective, they need to consider the long-term implications – reducing the burden of raising children, from healthcare and education to social welfare…
Source: https://tuoitre.vn/ho-tro-5-trieu-dong-cho-phu-nu-sinh-du-2-con-truoc-35-tuoi-vui-nhieu-ban-khoan-cung-co-20250830135925968.htm
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