From July 1, 2026: Female workers are entitled to 7 months of maternity leave when giving birth to their second child.

The new Population Law passed by the National Assembly stipulates that the maternity leave period for female workers when giving birth to their second child is 7 months, financial support for women who give birth to 2 children before the age of 35, and priority for people with 2 or more biological children to buy social housing.

On the morning of December 10th, with 448 out of 450 attending delegates voting in favor, the National Assembly passed the Population Law. The newly passed law has 8 chapters and 30 articles, and will come into effect on July 1st, 2026.

This Population Law marks a fundamental change, shifting the focus of population policy from family planning to population and development.

This Population Law shifts the focus of population policy from family planning to population and development.

Regarding policies to maintain replacement fertility levels , the Law has added provisions establishing a framework for overall policy directions, including policies on education , healthcare, housing, and other policies aimed at increasing the birth rate to achieve sustainable replacement fertility. Support during maternity leave and financial assistance for childbirth are categorized by target groups and localities, with priority given to renting, purchasing, and lease-purchasing social housing as stipulated by housing laws.

Specifically, according to the new law, measures to maintain replacement fertility include: in the case of a second child, maternity leave for female workers is 7 months; for male workers, it is 10 working days when their wives give birth. Thus, the maternity leave for female workers when their wives give birth to a second child has increased by 1 month compared to the current law, and the maternity leave for male workers when their wives give birth has also increased.

The new law stipulates that there will be financial support for women from very small ethnic minority groups when giving birth; financial support for childbirth for women in provinces and cities with birth rates below the replacement level; and financial support for childbirth for women who have two children before the age of 35.

Specifically, according to the new regulations, priority will be given to purchasing, lease-purchasing, or renting social housing as stipulated by housing laws for individuals with two or more children. Other measures will be decided by the Government .

Minister of Health Dao Hong Lan explains before the National Assembly votes to pass the Population Law

Regarding regulations on reducing gender imbalance at birth , the Population Law encourages the inclusion of provisions against prioritizing males over females and against sex selection at birth in community agreements and conventions.

The law stipulates that the practice of medical examination and treatment shall be suspended for individuals who disclose or reveal the sex of a fetus in order to induce abortion. The suspension of medical examination and treatment shall be carried out in accordance with the provisions of the law on medical examination and treatment.

Annually, the central statistics agency publishes the status of gender imbalance at birth so that the Government and provincial-level authorities can develop and implement appropriate intervention measures.

To proactively prepare for old age , the Law stipulates many provisions, including clearly stating that individuals should proactively prepare for old age from a young age through preparations in health, finances, and psychology; participation in social insurance and health insurance; participation in learning and improving knowledge and skills to maintain physical and mental health and social functioning; and participation in activities supporting the care of the elderly.

The Population Law clearly states that the State has policies to support priority groups in proactively preparing for old age, while encouraging agencies, organizations, businesses, and individuals to support individuals in preparing for old age in accordance with the needs of each group of elderly people.

The law also encourages individuals to participate in health insurance in accordance with the provisions of the law on insurance business.

Source: https://phunuvietnam.vn/tu-1-7-2026-lao-dong-nu-duoc-nghi-thai-san-7-thang-khi-sinh-con-thu-2-238251210100803638.htm