Ministry proposes to raise social assistance standard level to 500,000 VND
The Ministry of Labour, Invalids, and Social Affairs is finalising a draft decree to amend and supplement some provisions of the Government’s Decree No. 20/2021 on social assistance policies for social protection beneficiaries.
According to the Ministry of Labour, Invalids, and Social Affairs, the total number of people currently receiving monthly social assistance exceeds 3.35 million. (Photo: chinhphu.vn)
Hanoi (VNA) - The Ministry of Labour, Invalids, and Social Affairs is finalising a draft decree to amend and supplement some provisions of the Government’s Decree No. 20/2021 on social assistance policies for social protection beneficiaries.
The draft decree outlines two options for raising the social assistance standard level.
Under Option 1, the monthly level would increase from 360,000 VND (14.67 USD) to 500,000 VND. This means the annual budget for implementation would be over 37.1 trillion VND, compared to the current 9.46 trillion VND. The decree is expected to take effect from July 1, 2024, with the state budget allocation for 2024 to increase by about 4.7 trillion VND as compared to 2023.
Option 2 proposes raising the monthly level to 750,000 VND, resulting in the total annual budget for implementation of approximately 54 trillion VND. In this option, the expected date for the decree to come into force is the same, with the 2024 budget 13.1 trillion VND more than that for 2023.
The ministry has proposed that the government consider Option 1, as it ensures the social assistance increase under a roadmap in correlation with other social policies, maintaining fairness among groups in particularly difficult circumstances so that no one is left behind. The option is also consistent with the budget allocation for social security and meets the minimum living standard for social protection beneficiaries.
According to the ministry, the total number of people currently receiving monthly social assistance exceeds 3.35 million./.
The standard level of social assistance will increase from 270,000 VND (11.72 USD) to 360,000 VND (15.63 USD) per month from July 1, 2021, according to Decree No.20/2021/ND-CP providing social support policies for those entitled to social protection.
Deputy Prime Minister Tran Hong Ha has signed a decision approving a master plan for the development of a network of social assistance facilities for the 2021-2030 period, with a vision to 2050.
Vietnam has over 4.8 million people exposed to AO/dioxin, including hundreds of thousands in the second, third, and even fourth generations. Many live with severe disabilities, facing high medical costs and loss of earning capacity.
Deputy Foreign Minister Dang Hoang Giang reaffirmed that amnesty is a humanitarian policy of the Party and State, reflecting the Vietnamese tradition of compassion and winning attention and high praise both domestically and internationally.
Vietnam officially grants limited-term visa-free entry to high-profile foreigners whose presence is deemed beneficial to the country’s socio-economic development.
With support from the Vietnamese Association in Ufa, Vietnamese language classes for children have been offered for many years. Currently, 60 children of various ages are attending two classes taught by Duc Anh, free of charge.
Vietnam ranked among the top four countries and territories at the 2025 International Olympiad on Artificial Intelligence (IOAI), reaffirming its strong position in international academic competitions.
All 20 crew members aboard the Vietnamese oil tanker GT Unity were successfully rescued from a fire in the vessel’s engine room, thanks to the swift response of the Liberian-flagged ship Androusa and Vietnamese maritime rescue teams.
Describing Agent Orange as one of the most severe and enduring legacies of the war in Vietnam, Vietnam's former Honorary Consul to Belgium Joseph-Michel de Grand Ry warned that its impact – still affecting generations more than five decades later – could last another two to three decades.
Running from August 4 to September 2, under the hashtag #TuHaoVietNam, the campaign invites participants in two categories: “I Love My Country” video clips and “I Love My Country” check-in photos.
Decree No. 219/2025/ND-CP, which took effect on the issuance date, introduces amendments that integrate the procedure for reporting and explaining the demand for foreign workers into the process of submitting applications for work permits.
With a tight 13-month deadline, the move is under a strategic and urgent policy to bridge educational gaps, train the local workforce, and shore up territorial sovereignty in some of the country’s most remote areas.
The parade and personnel send-off ceremony will officially take place on August 10 at the area surrounding the Statue of King Ly Thai To and Dinh Tien Hoang street of Hoan Kiem ward, with the participation of nearly 3,000 officers, soldiers, and local residents.
According to national technical regulations, AIS installation is mandatory for boats carrying more than 50 passengers. However, operators of smaller vessels (under 50 seats) in Ha Long Bay have voluntarily committed to completing installation by the deadline to enhance operational safety.
The activities include a Vietnamese language teaching training course for overseas Vietnamese teachers from August 13 to 28 in Hanoi, Ninh Binh, and Thai Nguyen.
Specifically, the ships will carry out patrols from 7am to 6pm daily along the main tourist routes in Ha Long Bay, with one ship permanently stationed at Ti Top island. From 6pm to 7am the following day, the mobile vessels return to Tuan Chau island to maintain a 24/7 on-call duty shift, ensuring constant readiness.
The Ministry of Construction (MoC) plans to open to traffic 208km of expressways of six key projects by August 19, bringing the country’s total expressway network to 2,476km.
As of July 1, a two-tier local government model started in 34 provinces and cities, streamlining administration but creating a surplus of public properties. If not promptly addressed, these assets could become a financial burden.
Whether they grow up to become journalists, diplomats, or professionals in other fields, these children can one day become bridges of friendship and cooperation, telling new and inspiring stories of Vietnam – China relations, said Ambassador Pham Thanh Binh.
A 21-year-old Indian tourist was successfully resuscitated and treated by doctors at Hoan My Da Nang Hospital after a near-drowning incident left him in critical condition. After three days of intensive care, the man was discharged from the hospital and has since returned to India.
In an document issued on August 5, the PM emphasised the need to stablise living conditions for people hit by floods, landslides, and flash floods in late July and early August in northern and north-central provinces, especially Dien Bien, Son La, and Nghe An which suffered some of the worst damage.
Although millions of Vietnamese were affected by AO, only over 626,000 individuals, including war veterans and their children suffering from dioxin-related conditions, are currently receiving state benefits.
According to the Ministry of Labour, Invalids, and Social Affairs, the total number of people currently receiving monthly social assistance exceeds 3.35 million. (Photo: chinhphu.vn) 
