Vietnam ended its longstanding two-child policy on July 1, 2025, shifting from strict family planning controls to population development measures [1, 2]. Since July 1, 2026, the government has extended maternity leave for mothers having a second child from six to seven months and introduced financial incentives to boost birth rates [1, 3, 2, 4].
Mothers meeting specific criteria are eligible for a one-off cash bonus of up to about US$228, roughly two-thirds of the average monthly salary, along with subsidised prenatal and newborn screenings [1, 2, 4]. Nguyen Kim Bich, a mother benefiting from the extended leave, said, "I could stay at home one more month with the baby, and my husband could stay home some more days" [1]. However, she also noted, "The benefits are nice but not enough. One more month of leave and US$75 can never attract us to have a second kid" [2].
Vietnam faces rapid population aging, with those over 60 expected to reach 25% of the population by 2050, raising concerns over labor shortages and social welfare strains [1, 2, 4]. The World Bank warned that the country’s window to adapt to an aging society is narrow and failure to respond may trigger major economic slowdowns [4].
The two-child preference dates back to the 1960s and was officially adopted in 1988 but was not enforced as strictly as China's one-child policy [2]. Until last year, Communist Party members faced sanctions for having a third child, highlighting the policy’s prior rigidity [1, 2, 4]. Pham Thi Lan, head of population and development at UNFPA Vietnam, said, "This is a significant shift in approach. We are moving from controlling family planning to focusing on population development" [1].
Despite the incentives, many young couples find the benefits insufficient given high living and child-rearing costs. An example Hanoi couple earns about US$1,000 monthly, half of which goes toward raising their first child [1, 2, 4]. Tran Minh Anh, a 24-year-old cashier, expressed strong reluctance to have more children: "I will not have even one child. The economic and psychological pressures are too high. I can barely support myself, much less another person" [4]. Pham Thi Lan added that one-time cash benefits do little to sway parenting decisions without broader, sustained support in housing and childcare [4].
The government’s new population law and regulations took effect on July 1, 2026, formally rolling out the maternity leave extension and financial aid measures for families with second children [1, 2, 4].
