Vietnam extends maternity and paternity leave for employees welcoming a second child

Vietnam has extended the standard government-paid maternity leave entitlement for female employees giving birth to their second child from six to seven months. A male employee is also now entitled to an additional five days of paternity leave where his wife gives birth to her second child, increasing the standard government-paid entitlement from five to 10 working days. These changes entered into force on 1 July 2026.

Background

The changes to maternity and paternity leave were introduced with effect from 1 July 2026 through the Law on Population No. 113/2025/QH15. The reforms reflect the government's broader efforts to support families and address demographic challenges associated with declining fertility rates.

Key details

Extended maternity leave

The standard maternity entitlement for female employees is six months, funded through the social insurance system, of which up to two months can be taken before childbirth. For multiple births, an additional month of maternity leave applies per child from the second child onwards (e.g., a total of seven months for twins, a total of eight months for triplets, etc.).

From 1 July 2026, female employees who give birth to their second child are also entitled to one additional month of government-paid maternity leave, increasing the standard maternity leave entitlement from six to seven months.

Maternity leave benefits are paid by the social insurance fund at 100% of the employee's average social insurance contribution salary during the six months preceding childbirth.

Extended paternity leave

Paternity leave entitlements for male employees are as follows:

• five working days if the wife gives birth naturally;

• seven working days if the wife gives birth by caesarean section or before 32 weeks of pregnancy;

• 10 working days if the wife gives birth to twins naturally (plus three additional days per child from the third child onwards); and

• 14 working days if the wife gives birth to twins by caesarean section (plus three additional days per child from the third child onwards).

From 1 July 2026, a male employee is also entitled to take five additional government-paid working days of paternity leave if his wife gives birth to her second child, increasing the standard paternity leave entitlement from five to 10 working days.

Paternity leave benefits are paid by the social insurance fund at 100% of the employee's average social insurance contribution salary for the month before paternity leave starts.

Employer action: ACT

Employers should review and update their employee handbooks, paternity leave policies, payroll procedures, and HR systems to reflect the new entitlements. HR teams should also ensure managers understand when the enhanced leave applies and that internal processes properly support the administration of the revised social insurance benefits.

Further Information

Law No. 113/2025/QH15 of the National Assembly: Law on Population (opens a new window)

What you need to know about maternity benefits when giving birth to your second child from 01/7/2026 | Social Insurance (opens a new window)