Foreign teachers working in Vietnam receive 30 days of paid sick leave annually when contributing to social insurance for less than 15 years, with entitlements increasing to 40 days (15-30 years of contributions) or 60 days (30+ years of contributions) according to Vietnam’s Social Insurance Law. The Social Insurance Fund pays 75% of your previous month’s salary during approved sick leave—your employer does not pay these benefits. You must provide a medical certificate to your employer within 48 hours of illness to qualify for payment.
As of July 1, 2025, Vietnam’s amended Social Insurance Law extends mandatory sick leave coverage to foreign employees working on contracts of 12 months or longer. Understanding these legal entitlements protects your financial security and ensures compliance when teaching in Vietnam.
How Many Days of Sick Leave Do Foreign Teachers Get in Vietnam?
Foreign teachers in Vietnam receive 30 to 60 working days of paid sick leave per year, with the exact entitlement determined by total years of social insurance contributions. Most foreign teachers qualify for the standard 30-day allocation during their initial years working in Vietnam.
Sick Leave Entitlement Based on Social Insurance Contributions
Your annual sick leave entitlement depends on how long you have contributed to Vietnam’s social insurance system. According to multiple authoritative sources including the Social Insurance Law and U.S. Social Security Administration documentation:
For employees in standard working conditions:
- Less than 15 years of social insurance contributions: 30 working days per year
- 15 to 30 years of contributions: 40 working days per year
- More than 30 years of contributions: 60 working days per year
For employees in hazardous, dangerous, or toxic work conditions (as classified by Vietnam’s Ministry of Labor and Ministry of Health):
- Less than 15 years of contributions: 40 working days per year
- 15 to 30 years of contributions: 50 working days per year
- More than 30 years of contributions: 70 working days per year
Most foreign teachers working in educational settings fall under standard working conditions and receive the 30-day annual entitlement during their initial employment years in Vietnam. These calculations count working days only—public holidays, weekends, and Tet holiday periods do not count toward your sick leave allocation.
Long-Term Illness Provisions
For employees suffering from specific chronic illnesses included on the Ministry of Health’s official list, extended sick leave provisions allow up to 180 days of paid leave per calendar year. If medical treatment requires continuation beyond 180 days, employees receive reduced benefits at rates between 45% and 65% of salary, depending on total years of social insurance contributions.
The Ministry of Health’s long-term illness list includes conditions such as cancer requiring chemotherapy, active tuberculosis, HIV/AIDS with complications, severe kidney disease requiring dialysis, and other conditions requiring prolonged medical intervention.
Who Pays for Sick Leave in Vietnam—Employer or Government?
Vietnam’s Social Insurance Fund pays your sick leave benefits—your employer does not pay sick leave from company funds. You receive 75% of your previous month’s salary directly from the Social Insurance Authority, calculated based on your registered social insurance contribution salary.
How the Social Insurance Payment System Works
When foreign teachers take sick leave in Vietnam:
- Social Insurance Fund provides payment at 75% of your monthly social insurance salary
- Your employer’s role is administrative only—submitting your medical certificate and documentation to the Social Insurance Authority
- No employer financial burden for sick leave periods
- Payment comes from accumulated contributions made by both employer and employee throughout your employment
This distinction is critical: your school or language center does not pay sick leave benefits from their budget. Instead, social insurance contributions (paid jointly by employers and employees during all working periods) fund the sick leave benefit system managed by Vietnam’s Social Insurance Authority.
According to Vietnam’s Labor Code 2019 and Social Insurance Law, employers are explicitly not required to pay salary to employees during sick leave periods—this obligation transfers entirely to the social insurance system.
What Medical Certificate Do I Need for Sick Leave in Vietnam?
You must submit a medical certificate from an authorized medical facility within 48 hours of your first sick day to qualify for sick leave benefits. The certificate must come from public hospitals or licensed private medical facilities approved by Vietnam’s Ministry of Health.
Medical Certificate Requirements
Your sick leave medical certificate must include:
- Patient identification information (full name, passport number for foreign nationals)
- Medical diagnosis from the examining physician
- Recommended rest period (number of days unable to work)
- Official facility stamp and authorized signature from licensed medical personnel
- Examination date and certificate issuance date
Critical compliance requirement: Submit your medical certificate to your employer within 48 hours of the first sick day. Your employer then submits complete documentation to the Social Insurance Authority for payment processing.
Authorized Medical Facilities
Valid sick leave certificates must originate from:
- Public hospitals with Ministry of Health authorization
- Licensed private clinics and hospitals certified by the Ministry of Health for sick leave documentation
- International hospitals and clinics holding proper Ministry of Health certification
Important limitation: Not all medical facilities can issue certificates valid for social insurance sick leave claims. Small private clinics without Ministry of Health authorization cannot produce documentation accepted by the Social Insurance Authority. Always verify your medical provider holds proper certification before seeking treatment when you need sick leave documentation.
How Much Money Do Teachers Receive During Sick Leave?
Teachers on sick leave receive 75% of their previous month’s salary from the Social Insurance Fund. This payment rate applies to your official salary figure used for social insurance contribution calculations—typically your base monthly salary.
Understanding Your Sick Leave Payment
The 75% payment rate is calculated based on:
- Your registered social insurance salary: The salary figure your employer reports to the Social Insurance Authority for contribution purposes
- Previous month’s salary: The payment uses the salary from the month immediately before your sick leave begins
- Working days only: Payment covers working days absent due to illness (weekends and public holidays do not count)
Your actual sick leave payment depends entirely on your registered social insurance contribution salary. This figure may differ from your total compensation package because certain allowances (housing allowances, transportation allowances) may not be included in the social insurance contribution base salary.
Reduced Payment Rates for Extended Illness
After exhausting your standard annual sick leave entitlement (30/40/60 days based on contribution years), employees with qualifying long-term illnesses on the Ministry of Health’s list may receive continued benefits at reduced rates:
- More than 30 years of contributions: 65% of salary
- 15 to 30 years of contributions: 55% of salary
- Less than 15 years of contributions: 45% of salary
Most foreign teachers in Vietnam fall into the “less than 15 years” category, receiving 45% salary continuation if illness extends beyond initial annual sick leave allocation for Ministry of Health-listed conditions.
Does Sick Leave Policy Apply to Foreign Teachers on Short-Term Contracts?
Foreign teachers on employment contracts of 12 months or longer qualify for mandatory sick leave benefits under Vietnam’s Social Insurance Law effective July 1, 2025. Teachers on contracts shorter than 12 months do not qualify for mandatory social insurance enrollment and must negotiate sick leave terms directly with employers.
Social Insurance Coverage Requirements for Foreign Workers
Vietnam’s Social Insurance Law 2024 (effective July 1, 2025) expanded mandatory social insurance coverage to include:
- Foreign employees with definite-term employment contracts of 12 months or longer
- Foreign employees with indefinite-term employment contracts (any duration)
- Foreign employees holding valid work permits or work permit exemption certificates issued by Vietnamese authorities
This represents significant regulatory change. Previously, foreign workers’ sick leave depended entirely on individual employment contract negotiations. Under current law, foreign teachers on standard one-year or longer teaching contracts automatically participate in Vietnam’s social insurance system—receiving identical 30-day sick leave entitlement and 75% payment rate as Vietnamese nationals.
Short-Term Contract Considerations
Foreign teachers on employment contracts under 12 months face different circumstances:
- No mandatory social insurance enrollment required by law
- Sick leave terms depend entirely on individual employment contract provisions
- Payment arrangements vary by employer—full pay, reduced pay, or unpaid sick leave
- No automatic Social Insurance Fund coverage for illness-related absences
Annual Leave Rights in Vietnam: 12-16 Days Explained provides additional context on how contract duration affects various leave entitlements in Vietnam. For sick leave specifically, teachers on short-term contracts should negotiate and document sick leave provisions explicitly in written employment contracts before starting work.
Can Foreign Teachers Take Sick Leave During Their First Month of Employment?
Foreign teachers can take sick leave during their first month of employment, but specific contribution rules apply for extended absences. If you take sick leave for 14 consecutive working days or more during your first employment month, you remain responsible for paying the employee portion of social insurance contributions despite the absence.
First-Month Sick Leave Special Rules
According to Vietnam’s Social Insurance Law provisions for new employees:
If sick leave is less than 14 working days in first month:
- Standard sick leave rules apply
- You receive 75% salary payment from Social Insurance Fund
- Both employer and employee social insurance contributions continue normally
- No special contribution requirements
If sick leave is 14 working days or more in first month:
- You must pay the employee portion of social insurance contributions (8% of salary)
- Your employer continues paying the employer portion (17.5% of salary)
- You still receive 75% salary payment for sick days from Social Insurance Fund
- This prevents social insurance coverage gaps affecting long-term benefits
Most foreign teachers never encounter this situation. However, understanding the regulation prevents financial surprises if serious illness occurs immediately after starting a new teaching position in Vietnam.
How Do Foreign Teachers Apply for Sick Leave Benefits?
To receive sick leave benefits, foreign teachers must: (1) Obtain a medical certificate from an authorized facility, (2) Submit the certificate to your employer within 48 hours, and (3) Allow your employer to file the claim with the Social Insurance Authority. The process requires coordination between teacher, employer, and government authorities.
Step-by-Step Application Process
Step 1: Seek Medical Treatment
- Visit an authorized public hospital or Ministry of Health-certified private clinic
- Request a sick leave certificate for social insurance purposes (Vietnamese: “giấy nghỉ việc hưởng bảo hiểm xã hội”)
- Ensure the examining physician provides diagnosis, recommended rest period, and official facility stamp
- Verify the medical facility holds Ministry of Health authorization for sick leave certification
Step 2: Submit Certificate to Employer (Within 48 Hours)
- Deliver your medical certificate to your school’s HR department or designated supervisor
- Include your employee identification information
- Notify your employer of expected absence duration
- Keep a copy of your certificate for personal records
Step 3: Employer Processing and Submission
- Your employer compiles required documentation:
- Original medical certificate
- Official sick leave claim forms
- Social insurance registration documentation
- Employee identification records
- Employer submits complete documentation package to the local Social Insurance Authority office
Step 4: Social Insurance Fund Payment
- Social Insurance Authority reviews and verifies submitted documentation
- Approved payments transfer to your registered bank account on file
- Payment equals 75% of your previous month’s social insurance contribution salary multiplied by approved sick leave days
Common Application Issues
Foreign teachers frequently encounter these sick leave claim complications:
- Medical certificate rejected: Clinic lacked proper Ministry of Health authorization for sick leave documentation
- Processing delays: Incomplete documentation or missing required information
- Payment issues: Incorrect or outdated bank account information on file with Social Insurance Authority
- Documentation problems: Medical certificates missing required elements (diagnosis, official stamps, physician signatures)
Proactive communication with your employer’s HR department prevents most complications. Verify your social insurance registration status and confirm your registered bank account details shortly after starting employment—before you need sick leave benefits.
What Happens If a Teacher Exceeds Their Annual Sick Leave Limit?
If illness requires more than your annual 30-day sick leave allocation, extended benefits depend on whether your medical condition appears on the Ministry of Health’s official long-term illness list. For qualifying conditions, you may receive up to 180 days of sick leave per year at the standard 75% payment rate, with reduced benefits available beyond 180 days.
Long-Term Illness Extended Benefits
The Ministry of Health maintains an official list of chronic conditions qualifying for extended sick leave benefits beyond standard 30/40/60-day annual allocations. According to Social Insurance Law provisions:
For Ministry of Health-listed conditions:
- Up to 180 days of paid sick leave per calendar year at 75% of salary
- Continued benefits beyond 180 days at reduced rates of 45% to 65% of salary (depending on contribution years)
- No fixed maximum duration for certain conditions requiring ongoing medical treatment
Listed conditions typically include serious illnesses such as cancer requiring chemotherapy, active tuberculosis under treatment, HIV/AIDS with complications, severe kidney disease requiring dialysis, major organ transplant recovery, and other conditions requiring prolonged medical intervention.
Non-Qualifying Conditions Beyond Annual Limits
For illnesses not on the Ministry of Health’s long-term list, exceeding your 30-day annual allocation results in:
- No social insurance payment for days beyond your annual sick leave limit
- Unpaid leave status unless your employer voluntarily provides additional paid leave
- Potential employment contract impacts if absences become extended
Vietnam Labor Code for Foreign Teachers: Essential Guide 2025 explains additional employment contract considerations related to extended absence periods.
How Does Sick Leave Differ from Annual Leave in Vietnam?
Sick leave and annual leave are completely separate entitlements with different purposes, payment sources, and usage requirements. Sick leave addresses unexpected illness (30 days per year at 75% salary from Social Insurance), while annual leave provides planned vacation time (12 days minimum per year at 100% salary from your employer).
Key Differences Between Leave Types
| Factor | Sick Leave | Annual Leave |
|---|---|---|
| Purpose | Recover from illness or injury | Rest, vacation, personal time |
| Annual Entitlement | 30-60 days (based on social insurance contributions) | 12 days minimum (increases with service length) |
| Payment Source | Social Insurance Fund | Your employer |
| Payment Rate | 75% of salary | 100% of salary |
| Required Documentation | Medical certificate within 48 hours | Advanced notice to employer (typically 2-4 weeks) |
| Scheduling | Unplanned (occurs when illness happens) | Planned in advance (requires mutual agreement) |
| Annual Carryover | Does NOT carry over (resets each calendar year) | May carry over depending on contract terms |
Understanding these distinctions prevents common misconceptions. You cannot substitute sick leave for annual vacation—medical certificates must document genuine illness diagnosed by authorized medical facilities. Conversely, using annual leave days for minor illness results in 100% pay but unnecessarily depletes vacation time when sick leave provides 75% pay while preserving vacation days.
Strategic Leave Planning
Foreign teachers should approach leave types strategically:
For planned time off (visiting home country, vacation travel, family visits):
- Use annual leave days—you receive 100% of salary from your employer
- Coordinate with school academic calendar and semester breaks
- Submit leave requests with adequate advance notice per contract requirements
For illness situations:
- Use sick leave days—you receive 75% of salary from Social Insurance Fund
- Submit medical certificate within 48 hours to employer
- Preserve annual vacation days for planned personal time
- Most teachers never exhaust the full 30-day annual sick leave allocation
Frequently Asked Questions About Vietnam Sick Leave for Teachers
Do I Need to Use My Annual Leave Before Taking Sick Leave?
No, sick leave operates independently from annual leave—you do not need to exhaust vacation days before taking sick leave. When genuinely ill with proper medical certificate documentation, you access sick leave allocation (75% pay from Social Insurance Fund) while preserving annual vacation days (100% pay from employer) for planned time off.
Can My Employer Deny My Sick Leave Request in Vietnam?
Employers cannot legally deny sick leave supported by valid medical certificates from Ministry of Health-authorized facilities. Vietnam’s Labor Code 2019 establishes sick leave as a mandatory employee right funded through social insurance contributions. However, employers can question medical certificate validity if documentation lacks required elements or originates from unauthorized facilities.
Does Taking Sick Leave Affect My Work Permit or Visa Status?
Taking legitimate sick leave does not affect your work permit or visa status in Vietnam. Work permits remain valid during approved sick leave periods covered by proper medical documentation. Immigration authorities do not consider legitimate sick leave a violation of employment terms or work permit conditions.
What Happens If I Get Sick While Working at Multiple Schools?
Foreign teachers working for multiple employers simultaneously accumulate social insurance contributions across all employment but receive sick leave benefits from only ONE employer per illness period. You must designate which employment contract covers specific sick leave claims. The Social Insurance Authority system prevents duplicate benefit claims across multiple employers for identical illness dates.
How Does Sick Leave Work During Tet Holiday?
Public holidays, weekends, and Tet holidays do NOT count toward your sick leave day allocation. If you’re sick during holiday periods, only working days within your absence count against your 30-day annual sick leave entitlement. For example, if you’re sick for 10 calendar days spanning Tet holiday (5 working days + 5 holiday days), you use only 5 days of your annual sick leave allocation.
Do Part-Time Teachers Get Sick Leave Benefits?
Part-time teachers working fewer than the standard full-time hours typically do not qualify for mandatory social insurance enrollment. Without social insurance participation, part-time teachers lack automatic sick leave benefits under Vietnamese law. Sick leave arrangements for part-time positions depend entirely on individual employment contract terms negotiated with employers. Some international schools voluntarily provide comparable benefits to part-time foreign teachers, but this varies significantly by institution and is not legally mandated.
Vietnam’s sick leave policy provides foreign teachers with 30 days of paid sick leave annually at 75% salary, funded by the Social Insurance Fund rather than individual employers. Understanding core requirements—the 48-hour medical certificate submission deadline, authorized facility requirements, and Social Insurance Fund payment process—ensures you receive full benefits during illness while maintaining legal compliance.
Key protections for foreign teachers under Vietnam’s Social Insurance Law (effective July 1, 2025):
- Automatic mandatory coverage for employment contracts 12 months or longer
- Separate from annual vacation entitlements (preserves paid vacation days)
- Social Insurance Fund payment at 75% of salary (no employer financial burden)
- Extended provisions for serious illness (up to 180 days for Ministry of Health-listed conditions)
Prepare for sick leave benefits by: verifying your social insurance registration status immediately upon starting employment, confirming your registered bank account information with your school’s HR department, identifying authorized medical facilities near your residence, and understanding your employer’s specific sick leave claim submission procedures.
Know Your Employment Rights as a Foreign Teacher
Vietnam’s labor protections extend to foreign educators working under proper employment contracts, providing crucial financial security during illness. However, these benefits require understanding documentation requirements, submission procedures, and timeline obligations to successfully access benefits when needed.
Want to learn more about your employment rights in Vietnam? Explore comprehensive guides covering work permits, visa requirements, contract negotiations, and legal protections at our Employment Rights & Contracts resource center for foreign teachers working in Vietnam’s education sector.
