Vietnam has introduced a series of important policies from September 2026, strengthening digital governance, improving public services and tightening regulations in several areas of economic and social activity.

According to the Vietnamese Government News, the new measures include changes involving VNeID-based social security payments, identification cards for children, digital identification of land and property, foreign-worker regulations and imports produced using forced labour.

Social security payments move toward VNeID

One of the major changes is the planned integration of social security benefit payments with VNeID, Vietnam’s national electronic identification platform.

A new decree taking effect on September 28 establishes identification information that can connect bank accounts, e-wallets and mobile-money accounts with social security payments and other lawful financial support.

The move is intended to make the distribution of pensions and other benefits more convenient while expanding the role of digital identification in public administration.

Children under six can receive identification cards

From September 1, children under six can have identification cards issued through an integrated administrative process.

Parents or legal representatives can request the card while completing procedures related to birth registration, permanent residence and health insurance.

Vietnam’s government says the interconnected system will reduce paperwork and help shorten administrative processing times by allowing information to be shared between relevant national databases.

New digital identification system for land and properties

Another significant reform concerns location identification.

A new system assigns each location a unique 12-digit identification code, covering land plots, buildings, construction works and other specified physical locations.

The government says the system will create a standardized foundation for linking and sharing information among databases across the country. Public location-identification information will also be accessible through VNeID in accordance with regulations.

Stricter rules for foreign workers

Vietnam is also introducing new administrative penalties related to foreign employment.

From September 10, foreign workers who work without a valid work permit or an applicable exemption certificate may face fines ranging from VND15 million to VND25 million.

Employers can face substantially higher penalties depending on the number of foreign workers involved in violations.

The regulations also cover situations involving expired documents and employment in positions that do not correspond with the worker’s approved permit.

Import restrictions expanded to forced-labour products

Vietnam is also strengthening controls on imported goods.

A government decree taking effect on September 5 adds restrictions on products that have been wholly or partly produced using forced labour, subject to the conditions established under relevant international agreements.

The broader rules also cover various prohibited imports and exports, including certain weapons, explosives, used consumer products and other restricted goods.

Digital transformation remains a central priority

The latest policy changes underline Vietnam’s broader push toward digital government and more interconnected public services.

By linking identification systems with social security, property information and administrative databases, authorities are seeking to reduce paperwork and improve the way citizens interact with government agencies.

At the same time, stronger labour and trade regulations indicate that Vietnam is continuing to tighten compliance standards as its economy becomes increasingly integrated with international markets.

The measures represent another step in Vietnam’s effort to modernize public administration while creating more standardized systems for citizens, businesses and foreign workers.