Controlling spouse’s income subject to fine of up to $1,140 in Vietnam

This regulation is part of the new Decree 282/2025, which outlines administrative penalties in three areas: security, social order and safety; prevention of social evils; and prevention of domestic violence.

The decree takes effect on December 15.

The regulation has sparked significant public discussion, but experts emphasize that it is a serious issue, not a trivial one.

Psychologist Hoang Thi Ngoc Duyen, deputy director of the NHC Vietnam Psychology and Human Development Center - Hoang Hoa Tham Branch in Ho Chi Minh City, explained that the decree classifies a spouse’s control over income as ‘economic violence.’

“In daily life, this is quite common and sometimes considered a traditional household norm,” she said.

“Men are often seen as the breadwinners while women manage the household finances.

“But psychologically, this control can create deep, silent wounds that families may not even recognize."

Duyen emphasized that financial independence is closely tied to personal autonomy, capability, and self-worth.

“When someone is deprived of decision-making power over the money they earn, they may feel threatened and lose status.”

Over time, this can lead to silent resistance, emotional disconnection, and erosion of mutual respect, she said, adding that the family ceases to be a place of sharing and becomes a space where one must ask for permission to live.

Genuine love is not measured by control over money but by voluntary sharing, she stressed.

“Agreeing to let his partner manage finances out of trust is very different from being forced to do so to avoid conflict," she said.

“Healthy relationships respect financial privacy while maintaining shared goals and responsibilities."

Each spouse has the right to financial privacy.

If the couple agree on a shared fund, common goals, and joint responsibilities while respecting each other’s personal space, the relationship becomes smoother and more sustainable.

Nguyen Van Anh, director of the Center for Studies and Applied Sciences in Gender, Family, Women, and Adolescents, said the practice of controlling a spouse’s income is widespread, but victims are often reluctant to report it.

“Over many years supporting domestic violence victims in Vietnam, we have seen numerous cases where one spouse has no rights to their own earnings," she said.

Every action – going out, making a purchase – requires permission, she said.

“This is a form of labor exploitation and economic control. Many people hide money for personal needs, often referred to as a ‘secret fund,’” she said.

Anh called the decree very humane, emphasizing that it encourages individuals to recognize and assert their rights to personal property.

The belief that forcing a spouse to hand over all income proves love is a ‘slavery mentality.’

Legal perspective on forced financial control

A Hanoi-based lawyer highlighted the distinction between consensual financial arrangements and coercion.

“Forcing a spouse to hand over money or property violates the law,” the lawyer explained.

“Any action that pressures the other person through threats, conditions, anger, or psychological pressure constitutes economic control.

“In contrast, voluntary and willing financial sharing is not considered control."

Economic violence within domestic settings has been legally recognized since the 2007 Law on Domestic Violence Prevention, and updated in 2022 to specify behaviors such as coercing financial contributions, restricting the use of joint assets, and enforcing economic dependence.

Until now, administrative penalties have mostly addressed physical abuse, leaving economic abuse difficult to punish due to challenges in proving coercion and victims’ reluctance to report.