Vietnam – Maternity and Giving Birth

What maternity care options are available in Vietnam?

Hospital delivery is the norm in Vietnam, with prenatal oversight provided by midwives or obstetricians throughout pregnancy. The kind of midwifery-led birth centres or home birth programmes that are well established in countries such as the Netherlands or the United Kingdom simply do not feature in Vietnam’s maternity system in any meaningful way, and the vast majority of expectant parents — locals and foreign residents alike — will plan to deliver in a hospital setting.

Vietnam’s hospital landscape spans both public and private facilities, and the experience of giving birth differs enormously between the two. Throughout pregnancy, women typically undergo prenatal consultations and multiple ultrasound scans. Hospitals generally support both vaginal and caesarean deliveries.

One notable feature of antenatal care in Vietnam is the frequency of ultrasound scans. It is quite common for women to have far more scans than their counterparts in many Western countries — in some cases a dozen or more over the course of a pregnancy. This reflects a deeply rooted cultural emphasis on monitoring fetal development, and is something worth being aware of as you plan your care.

There is also a growing appetite for more natural birthing approaches in Vietnam. Some hospitals have introduced birth centres and water birth facilities in recent years, though these options remain limited in availability and are not uniformly offered across the country.

Public hospitals are operated by the government and are staffed by qualified specialists, but they face serious challenges with overcrowding and very high patient volumes. Vietnamese is the working language in these settings, and foreign nationals are unlikely to find much English or other language support among nursing staff or medical teams. Delivering at a public hospital typically means a more clinical atmosphere, considerably longer waiting times, and shared wards with other patients.

Foreign nationals are not covered by Vietnam’s public health insurance scheme. They are, however, permitted to access public hospitals and clinics by paying the standard unsubsidised fee. In reality, this option is seldom chosen by expats, largely due to the language difficulties and the demanding patient load at public facilities.

Private and international hospitals present a very different picture. They tend to offer well-appointed private rooms, doctors who have trained internationally and are accustomed to treating foreign patients, bilingual or multilingual staff, and a broader range of delivery options and pain management choices. Leading facilities that regularly serve the expatriate community include Franco-Vietnamese Hospital (FV Hospital) in Ho Chi Minh City, Vinmec International Hospital in both Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, and Family Medical Practice in both cities. In Hanoi, the French Hospital (HFH) has built a particularly strong reputation over nearly three decades, with close to 60,000 births recorded there and maternity services modelled on French clinical standards.

One practical matter worth investigating early is partner presence during labour and delivery. At certain public hospitals, partners are not permitted in the delivery room; some international private hospitals, by contrast, actively welcome and support partner involvement throughout the birth. Policies differ between facilities, so it is worth asking directly when you are selecting where to give birth.

How much does it cost to give birth in Vietnam?

The cost of having a baby in Vietnam spans a wide range depending on your choice of hospital and the type of delivery you have. There are effectively three tiers to consider: public hospitals at the lowest cost, local private hospitals in the middle, and international or premium private facilities at the top end — each offering a meaningfully different experience and price point.

Public hospitals are the least expensive but come with basic infrastructure and significant patient volumes. Vietnamese private hospitals offer a reasonable balance of quality and affordability. International clinics sit at the premium end, providing private rooms, multilingual teams, and high standards of personalised care.

At local private hospitals (figures current as of 2024/2025), a vaginal delivery in a shared room starts at around VND 8.5 million, rising to VND 14–20 million for a private or deluxe room, depending on the facility. Caesarean section packages begin at approximately VND 12 million, with international private clinics offering higher-specification packages up to VND 30 million. Most packages bundle together the hospital stay, medical care, basic newborn assessments, postnatal follow-up, and sometimes meals.

At international hospitals, a standard vaginal delivery typically costs between USD 2,000 and USD 6,000, while a caesarean section with a full prenatal care package runs from USD 3,500 to USD 12,000. These figures can climb substantially if complications develop or if the newborn requires time in a neonatal intensive care unit.

It is important to understand that quoted package prices are usually a starting point. Any care that falls outside the package — an extra night in hospital, additional investigations, or unexpected complications — will be billed separately. Before committing to a package, get a clear picture of precisely what is covered and what might generate additional charges.

Insurance is a critical piece of financial planning. Check your existing health policy carefully to determine whether maternity coverage is included. Without adequate cover, costs at a private or international hospital can mount very quickly. Most policies that do include maternity benefits impose a waiting period of 10–12 months, which means arranging cover well before you intend to become pregnant is essential. Many insurers serving the expat market either exclude maternity entirely or offer only restricted benefits, given the high cost involved — so read your policy terms closely and consider upgrading if necessary. It is also worth confirming whether your insurer settles directly with your hospital or requires you to pay out of pocket and submit a reimbursement claim afterwards.

Payment arrangements vary by facility. Some hospitals ask for a deposit early in the pregnancy, while others require settlement in full close to the due date. Clarify the payment policy with your chosen hospital at the time of booking, and contact hospitals directly for their current fee schedules, as published figures may not reflect the latest pricing.

What is the standard of maternity and neonatal care in Vietnam?

Vietnam’s health system has developed considerably over the past decade, and the country has made genuine strides towards universal healthcare coverage. However, a significant quality gap persists between the public and private sectors, and between the major metropolitan areas and regional or rural locations.

Despite broad healthcare coverage across much of the population, demand far outstrips supply in many parts of the system. Hospitals in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City alone handle around 60% of the country’s total healthcare workload and are reported to operate at roughly double their intended capacity. For women using the public maternity system, this translates into long queues, crowded wards, and a care environment that functions almost entirely in Vietnamese.

International private hospitals are a different matter. Many are staffed by physicians who have trained and practised abroad and have extensive experience with international patients. At leading private facilities, the obstetric team typically follows internationally recognised clinical standards, experienced midwives are present around the clock, delivery rooms maintain high sterility standards, and a paediatrician is on hand from the moment of birth.

Foreign nationals should be aware that medical practices in Vietnam may differ from those they are used to at home. Partner access during delivery is not guaranteed at all hospitals, particularly for caesarean sections. Pain management options, rates of episiotomy, and postnatal care protocols may also differ. Skin-to-skin contact immediately after birth is not universal across Vietnamese hospitals, and breastfeeding support varies considerably — formula is routinely offered in some settings. If these matters are important to you, discuss them explicitly with your care team and ensure your preferences are clearly documented. Some international hospitals, including Hanoi French Hospital, explicitly apply skin-to-skin contact and delayed cord clamping for all routine deliveries — so it is worth asking about specific practices when comparing facilities.

Language access is a significant practical factor for non-Vietnamese speakers. Hanoi French Hospital, for example, offers interpretation in Vietnamese, Japanese, French, and English, and requests advance notice when other languages are needed. At public hospitals and smaller regional facilities, meaningful language support for foreigners is generally absent, which is one of the primary reasons private international hospitals remain the preferred option for most expats.

Outside the two main cities, the quality of specialised obstetric and neonatal care declines noticeably. Neonatal intensive care units and high-level obstetric expertise are concentrated in urban centres. If you are living outside a major city, planning well in advance is essential — including considering whether relocating temporarily to Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh City ahead of your due date is the right approach for your situation. Discuss this with your obstetrician in light of your own clinical circumstances.

What should expats know about maternity rights and leave in Vietnam?

Vietnamese labour law provides maternity and paternity entitlements that compare favourably with other countries in the region, and these protections extend to legally employed foreign nationals who are enrolled in Vietnam’s compulsory social insurance scheme.

Foreign female workers contributing to compulsory social insurance (SI) are entitled to the same maternity benefits as Vietnamese employees. The central eligibility requirement is that the worker must have contributed to social insurance for at least six months during the 12-month period preceding the birth, or alternatively must have made social insurance contributions for 12 months or more and, during pregnancy, taken leave to care for the pregnancy on the advice of a competent medical authority.

The statutory maternity leave period is six months in total, of which a maximum of two months may be taken before the expected delivery date. Where a multiple birth occurs — twins, triplets, or more — an additional month of leave is provided for each child beyond the first. During the maternity leave period, the time away is counted as a period of social insurance contribution, meaning neither the employee nor the employer is required to pay insurance premiums during this time.

Once the six-month leave period concludes, the mother may negotiate with her employer to take further unpaid leave. She may also choose to return to work earlier, provided she has taken at least four months of leave, notifies her employer in advance and receives agreement, and presents medical documentation confirming that an early return poses no risk to her health.

Paternity leave is also available to fathers enrolled in the compulsory social insurance scheme. Entitlements are as follows: five working days for a vaginal delivery; seven working days for a caesarean section or for a birth before 32 weeks of gestation; ten working days for twins, with three additional working days for each child from the third onward; and fourteen working days for twins delivered by caesarean, again with three additional working days per child from the third. All paternity leave must be taken within 60 days of the birth date; if taken in separate intervals, the first day of the last period of leave must still fall within that 60-day window.

Maternity pay is calculated on the basis of the employee’s average monthly salary used for social insurance contribution purposes in the six months preceding the leave. The base monthly salary for social insurance was updated to VND 2,340,000 from 1 July 2024 — check with the Ministry of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs (MOLISA) for the current figure, as it is subject to periodic revision.

Foreign nationals who are self-employed, working on short-term or freelance contracts, or who have not been enrolled in the compulsory social insurance scheme will generally have no entitlement to statutory maternity or paternity pay. In those cases, entitlements depend entirely on the terms of the individual contract and any voluntary arrangements with an employer. If you are uncertain about your situation, speak to your employer’s HR function or engage a qualified employment lawyer, and refer to the Ministry of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs for up-to-date guidance.

How do you register a birth in Vietnam?

Birth registration in Vietnam is a legal obligation that must be completed within 60 days of the child’s birth. For foreign nationals, the process runs along two parallel tracks: registering under Vietnamese civil law, and separately notifying your home country’s embassy or consulate. Both are essential and should be prioritised without delay.

Step-by-step: registering a birth in Vietnam

1. Obtain the birth notification from the hospital. Immediately following delivery, request a birth notification form (Giấy Báo Sinh) from the hospital or the relevant local government office. In most cases, the hospital will prepare this paperwork before you are discharged.
2. Gather your required documents. You will need the completed birth registration application form (as specified in Circular 04/2024/TT-BTP), the hospital-issued birth record or equivalent medical documentation (or a signed witness statement if this is unavailable, or an affidavit of birth if no witness is available), and the parents’ passports or Vietnamese identity cards. Depending on the circumstances, a written declaration regarding nationality selection and evidence of residence to confirm jurisdictional authority may also be required.
3. Submit the application to the local People’s Committee. Where at least one parent is Vietnamese, the registering authority is the People’s Committee (Ủy ban nhân dân) of the commune, ward, or township in which the family is resident or registered. Where both parents are foreign nationals, registration is typically handled by the District-level People’s Committee. Confirm the correct authority with the hospital or local officials before making your submission.
4. Receive the birth certificate (Giấy Khai Sinh). Once registration is successfully completed, the Vietnamese civil authorities will issue a Giấy Khai Sinh — the official birth certificate recognised under Vietnamese law. This document forms the foundation of your child’s legal identity in Vietnam. Obtain several certified copies, as these will be needed for a range of subsequent administrative processes.
5. Register the birth with your home country’s embassy or consulate. This step is separate from Vietnamese registration and equally important. Contact your national embassy or consulate in Vietnam to register the birth and begin the process of obtaining your child’s passport. The specific requirements, timescales, and fees differ from country to country, so reach out to your embassy as early as possible — ideally before the baby is born — to familiarise yourself with the process. Most embassies can issue an emergency travel document if urgently needed.
6. Apply for a Vietnamese visa or residence permit for your newborn. Any foreign child born in Vietnam requires their own valid visa or residence documentation to stay in the country lawfully. Contact the Vietnamese immigration authorities or seek advice from a local immigration lawyer as soon as possible after the birth to put this in place.

Birth registration fees in Vietnam are set by local authorities and are generally modest. As fee levels vary between provinces and may change over time, verify the applicable amount with the relevant People’s Committee or consult the Ministry of Justice of Vietnam for current information. Note that where the parents are unmarried and both wish to appear on the birth certificate, the parental recognition procedure must be carried out at the same time as the birth registration.

What nationality will my child have if born in Vietnam?

For foreign parents expecting a child in Vietnam, the question of the child’s nationality is one of the most consequential to resolve — and while the underlying principle is straightforward, the details can be complicated depending on individual circumstances. The short answer is that Vietnam does not grant citizenship on the basis of birth on its territory alone.

Vietnam operates a nationality framework rooted in descent, known as jus sanguinis. A child born in Vietnam to two parents who are both foreign nationals will not acquire Vietnamese citizenship automatically. The child’s nationality will be determined by the laws of the parents’ respective home countries, which vary considerably in their rules on citizenship by descent.

Under Vietnamese nationality law, children born to two Vietnamese citizens are automatically citizens regardless of where in the world they are born. Where only one parent holds Vietnamese citizenship — whether the other parent is a foreign national, unknown, or stateless — a written declaration must be submitted at the time of birth registration in order to confer Vietnamese nationality on the child.

Limited jus soli provisions do exist within Vietnamese law: stateless children born in Vietnam, and children whose parents are unknown, automatically receive Vietnamese citizenship — a protective measure designed to prevent statelessness. This narrow exception does not, however, apply to children whose parents are both foreign nationals of another state.

The practical path for expat parents involves two steps: completing the birth registration with Vietnamese civil authorities as described above, and then contacting your home country’s embassy or consulate to register the birth and establish your child’s nationality under your country’s own laws. Most nations in Europe, the Americas, and many other regions extend citizenship to children born abroad to national parents through descent, but the procedural requirements differ considerably. Some countries require consular registration within a specific deadline; others have residency conditions relating to the transmitting parent. Do not assume your child’s citizenship follows automatically — confirm what is required through your consulate as soon as possible after the birth, and ideally research the process beforehand.

Vietnam’s official position recognises a single nationality, yet does not actively prohibit dual or multiple citizenships; the acquisition of foreign nationality does not automatically result in the loss of Vietnamese citizenship. Nevertheless, the rules around dual nationality for children are nuanced and have been subject to change, including through 2025 amendments to the Vietnamese Nationality Law. Because nationality law is complex, and because the interaction between Vietnamese law and your home country’s rules can produce results that are difficult to predict, it is strongly advisable to consult a lawyer with expertise in Vietnamese and international family law, as well as your home country’s embassy, both before and after the birth.

What are the laws and attitudes around abortion in Vietnam?

Abortion has been legal in Vietnam since 1989, and the country’s legislative framework on this issue is comparatively liberal relative to many of its regional neighbours. Access on request is permitted within specified gestational limits, though the practical experience of accessing services is shaped by both the healthcare system’s capacity and prevailing cultural attitudes, especially in areas outside the major cities.

Under Vietnamese law as it stands in 2024, abortion may be requested without the need to provide a medical justification, subject to gestational thresholds. The procedure is generally available up to 22 weeks of pregnancy; beyond 12 weeks, it is typically carried out only at higher-level medical institutions and may involve additional clinical criteria. The government regulates abortion as a medical procedure within the broader reproductive healthcare framework administered by the Ministry of Health. For the most current information on gestational limits and procedural requirements, consult the Ministry of Health of Vietnam directly or speak with a licensed healthcare provider.

Abortion services are offered through both public and private healthcare channels. District and provincial hospitals within the public system can provide services to eligible women, generally at lower cost. Private clinics and international hospitals also offer these services, usually with reduced waiting times and better language accessibility. Pricing varies according to the provider, the gestational stage, and the type of procedure involved — contact your chosen provider directly for current costs.

Despite its legal status, abortion is not uniformly accessible to all women in Vietnam. Access can be particularly limited in rural and remote areas, and social stigma around the procedure remains present in many communities, making it difficult for some women to seek care. In recent years, the government has introduced efforts to expand access to reproductive health services — including contraception and safe abortion care — and has supported education and awareness initiatives around family planning and reproductive rights.

Foreign nationals in Vietnam are legally entitled to access abortion services on the same basis as Vietnamese residents, though language support at public facilities may be limited. International hospitals and private clinics in Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi are better placed to assist non-Vietnamese speakers. Whatever your circumstances, seek guidance from a licensed medical professional and verify current regulations and service availability with the Vietnam Ministry of Health or a reputable private healthcare provider.

Frequently asked questions: having a baby in Vietnam as a foreigner

Can I give birth in a public hospital in Vietnam as a foreign national?

While foreign nationals are not enrolled in Vietnam’s public health insurance scheme, they are permitted to use public hospitals and clinics by paying the standard non-subsidised fee. In practice, most expats choose private or international facilities instead, given the language barriers at public hospitals, high patient volumes, and the more comprehensive care environment available through the private sector.

Do I need to speak Vietnamese to give birth in Vietnam?

Not if you deliver at a private international hospital. These facilities typically employ multilingual staff, offer doctors who have trained abroad, and provide a range of delivery options with good communication support for non-Vietnamese speakers. Public hospitals, by contrast, operate predominantly in Vietnamese, and foreign language support is very limited. Always verify what language services are available at any facility you are considering before making your decision.

How far in advance should I book a maternity package in Vietnam?

It is advisable to register with your chosen hospital as early as possible in your pregnancy, particularly if you are hoping to secure a private or VIP room. At international clinics, places can be limited, and booking several months ahead is strongly recommended. Many expat families suggest getting registered before the end of the first trimester to avoid disappointment.

Will my international health insurance cover my birth in Vietnam?

This depends entirely on the terms of your policy. Review your health insurance carefully to confirm whether maternity care is included, and if so, what exactly is covered. Childbirth at a private or international hospital in Vietnam can be very costly without appropriate insurance in place. Because most policies with maternity benefits carry a waiting period of 10–12 months, you need to arrange coverage well in advance of conception. Check also whether your insurer offers direct billing at your preferred hospital or requires you to pay upfront and seek reimbursement afterwards.

Will my baby be a Vietnamese citizen if born in Vietnam?

Vietnam’s nationality framework is based on descent rather than place of birth. A child born in Vietnam to two foreign national parents will not automatically receive Vietnamese citizenship. The child’s nationality is governed by the laws of the parents’ home countries. After the birth, register the child with your home country’s embassy or consulate to establish their citizenship formally, and obtain legal advice if your situation involves any complexity.

How long do I have to register my baby’s birth in Vietnam?

Birth registration in Vietnam must be completed within 60 days of the child’s birth. Separately, you are also required to register the birth with your home country’s embassy or consulate, each of which sets its own deadlines. Contact your consulate before or immediately after the birth to find out what timeframes and requirements apply.

Am I entitled to maternity leave as a foreign national working in Vietnam?

Foreign female workers who are contributing to Vietnam’s compulsory social insurance scheme are entitled to the same maternity benefits as their Vietnamese counterparts, including six months of maternity leave with no more than two months taken before the expected birth date. To qualify, specific social insurance contribution thresholds must be met. Foreign nationals who are not enrolled in the compulsory scheme — including some self-employed individuals and contract workers — should review their contractual entitlements and seek advice from the Ministry of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs.

What document is issued when a birth is registered in Vietnam?

Successful birth registration results in the issuance of a Giấy Khai Sinh — the official Vietnamese birth certificate — by the civil authorities. This document is the primary record of your child’s legal identity in Vietnam and will be needed for a range of subsequent steps, from healthcare and school enrolment to travel documentation. Keep multiple certified copies in a safe place. Foreign parents should also obtain equivalent documentation from their home country’s embassy or consulate to confirm the child’s citizenship and enable them to apply for a passport.