DRAFT DECREE ON ADJUSTING REGIONAL MINIMUM WAGE AND MAXIMUM UNEMPLOYMENT BENEFIT CALCULATION FROM JANUARY 1, 2026

The Government has recently released a draft decree proposing adjustments to the minimum wage for employees under labor contracts, expected to take effect from January 1, 2026. Compared to the current rates under Decree 74/2024/NĐ-CP, the new draft proposes an increase in monthly minimum wages ranging from 250,000 VND to 350,000 VND depending on the region

In addition, the National Assembly has passed the 2025 Employment Law No. 74/2025/QH15, with a notable provision on adjusting the wage base used to calculate the maximum unemployment benefit as follows:

Thus, under the new law, there is no longer a distinction between public and private sector employees in calculating the maximum unemployment benefit. Starting from January 2026, the basic salary will be replaced by the regional minimum wage as the basis for determining the maximum unemployment benefit.