Yes, home births are legally permitted in Vietnam under strict conditions outlined in the 2016 Law on Gynecology and Obstetrics and Decree 10/2018/ND-CP. The Ministry of Health (MOH) regulates licensed midwives and home birth protocols, requiring prior approval from district health authorities. Recent 2026 compliance updates mandate mandatory risk assessments and emergency transfer agreements with hospitals.
Key Regulations for Home Births in Vietnam
- Licensed Midwife Requirement: Only certified midwives registered with provincial health departments may attend home births. Unlicensed practitioners face penalties under the 2023 Penal Code’s Article 315.
- Risk Assessment Mandate: District-level health officials must approve home birth plans after evaluating maternal and fetal risk factors, per MOH Circular 20/2021/TT-BYT.
- Emergency Transfer Protocol: Home birth providers must secure written agreements with nearby hospitals for immediate maternal/fetal transfer in complications, enforced under Decree 10/2018/ND-CP.
Violations trigger administrative fines (up to VND 50 million) or criminal liability if negligence results in harm. Urban centers like Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City enforce stricter oversight, with local health departments conducting unannounced inspections. Rural areas face looser enforcement but remain subject to national standards. Foreign midwives may only participate if licensed under Vietnam’s reciprocal agreements with their home countries.