Vietnam Clarifies When Maternity Benefits Begin for Infant Adoption

Vietnam Social Security says workers who adopt a child under six months old and meet the insurance contribution requirements receive maternity benefits from the date the child is handed over until the child reaches six months. The date is confirmed by the child handover record.

Sùng Vệ, an education worker in Sơn La with 15 years of experience, said the child she adopted was born on July 27, 2026. When she completed the adoption procedures, the local commune-level People’s Committee told her she could collect the adoption certificate on August 28. After she submitted the certificate to her school, she was told her maternity benefits would run for only five months, starting from the date she received it. She asked whether that calculation was correct.

Citing the 2024 Social Insurance Law, Vietnam Social Security explained that workers adopting a child under six months old must have paid compulsory social insurance for at least six months during the 12 consecutive months before the adoption to qualify for maternity benefits. The application must include a copy of the adoption certificate and the child handover record.

Because Sùng Vệ did not provide the date the child was handed over, Vietnam Social Security could not determine the duration of her benefits. She can check her entitlement against the handover record or contact a social insurance agency directly.

Source: VietVance