The whole family moves to Vietnam — are spouses and children HI-covered? Yes, via 2 routes: the working member joins compulsory HI while the family joins household HI, or the entire family buys voluntary household HI. Under-6 children are 100% free.
2 HI routes for the family
- Route 1 — Worker joins compulsory: foreign employees on 12+ month contracts (since 1/7/2025) join compulsory HI via the company; spouses and children are not automatically covered — each joins under their own category.
- Route 2 — Voluntary household HI: the family (spouses + children) with shared temporary-residence registration joins household HI: 1st member VND 105,300/month, 2nd 73,710, 3rd 63,180, 4th 52,650 (base salary VND 2,340,000).
Children: 2 special policies
- Under 6: 100% free HI: under-6 children get state-funded HI with 100% listed-care coverage — including foreign children residing in Vietnam (file at the local social insurance office).
- 6 and older: join household HI like adults (by member order) or student HI via school (if studying in Vietnam).
Family-of-4 math: 2 scenarios
- Scenario A — working parent (compulsory) + other parent + 2 kids (1 under 6): worker pays compulsory HI via company (1.5% salary); under-6 child free; 2 remaining members buy household HI (105,300 + 73,710) → ~VND 179,000/month for two.
- Scenario B — all voluntary: 4 members on household HI → 105,300 + 73,710 + 63,180 + 52,650 = VND 294,840/month (cheaper still with the under-6 free).
FAQs
Non-working spouse covered via the working spouse?
Not automatically — Vietnamese HI has no “dependant piggyback”. Non-working spouses join voluntary household HI as above.
International-school children — student HI?
Student HI applies to pupils of Vietnamese schools (including lawfully operating international schools) — ask the school office about start-of-year procedures.
Family repatriates mid-year — HI still valid?
Household HI is annual — leaving Vietnam voids the card (HI pays domestic care only). No refunds for unused time.
Contact us
FLAT Law Firm advises foreign nationals and their families on inheritance, wills, driving licences, health insurance and money transfers in Vietnam. Contact us for advice on your specific case.
