Vietnam adds 35 diseases to social insurance coverage

The rules apply under the 2024 Law on Social Insurance for work injury benefits.

Vietnam’s Ministry of Health has issued a new list of 35 occupational diseases that will be covered by social insurance (SI) benefits starting 15 February, under Circular 60/2025/TT-BYT dated December 31, 2025.

The list forms the basis for paying work injury and occupational disease benefits under the 2024 Law on Social Insurance. 

It includes major groups such as lung and respiratory diseases linked to dust and chemicals, poisoning from heavy metals and pesticides, hearing loss and radiation-related conditions, work-related skin disorders, and infections such as hepatitis B, hepatitis C, tuberculosis, and HIV contracted through occupational exposure. It also covers occupational cancers and acute respiratory disease caused by COVID-19.

Under the circular, each disease is tied to detailed criteria on exposure conditions, medical diagnosis, and the assessment of loss of working capacity. 

These criteria will be used by medical authorities and the social insurance system to determine eligibility and the level of compensation for affected workers.

The updated list provides insurers and employers with a clearer legal reference for handling occupational disease claims, calculating benefits, and meeting mandatory social insurance obligations once the rules take effect in February 2026.