Ho Chi Minh City offers cash support to women having 2 children before 35

Grassroots authorities are currently collecting information for the first round of support, benefiting women whose second child was born between December 21, 2024 and April 15, 2025.

Pham Chanh Trung, head of the Ho Chi Minh City Sub-Department of Population, explained that December 21 was chosen as the starting date because the policy is based on Resolution No. 40 of the municipal People’s Council, which was passed on December 11, 2024, and took effect on December 21.

An encouragement

T.H., a 33-year-old resident of Thu Duc City, said she was delighted with the policy, citing her heavy financial pressure with two young children.

She added that during her first maternity leave, she returned to work early to help cover household costs. 

H. suggested that the city adopt more long-term policies to encourage childbirth, such as preferential loans and access to affordable housing.

Similarly, N.T.T.T., 32, from Binh Thanh District, said she was happy to hear the news as it offers encouragement to mothers of two like her.

More welfare expected

Trung noted that women who qualify but are not included in this first round will still be eligible for support in future rounds.

He added that city officials are continuing to gather public feedback on pro-birth measures, as addressing the low birthrate requires a coordinated effort across the political system and the public.

Beyond the one-time cash assistance, Trung stressed the need for more welfare policies covering education, healthcare, housing, and personal income tax.

Besides, the education sector is implementing a resolution from the People’s Council to waive tuition fees at all levels, he added.

Experts argue that in the long term, boosting birth rates in Ho Chi Minh City—one of the localities with the country’s lowest birth rates—depends on ensuring that children can grow up with a quality life.

For decades, the fertility rate in the city has fluctuated between 1.24 and 1.7, much lower than the replacement level of 2-2.1 children per woman, Trung said.

Ngo Van Huan, a lecturer at the Ho Chi Minh City Cadre Academy, noted that economic hardship, high living costs, and changing lifestyles have made parenthood a lower priority for many families.

If the trend continues, the city may face labor shortages, a rapidly aging population, and serious socio-economic consequences.

To reverse this, Huan said, pro-birth policies must be implemented in a coordinated way—improving early education, childcare services for children under six, and ensuring a safe, supportive social environment.

He also called for workplace policies that reduce working hours and provide better support for pregnant women and mothers with young children, especially those with a second child or more.

‘Livable wage’ concept

According to National Assembly deputy Nguyen Thien Nhan, for a family to raise two children, the combined income of two working adults must be sufficient to support four members of the family.

As such, Nhan proposed shifting from a minimum wage to a 'livable wage' standard, based on the needs of a family of four.

He also suggested increasing the dependent reduction rates when calculating personal income tax and improving housing support.

Finally, he urged better employment conditions such as maternity leave policies, salaries, and promotion opportunities.