The new allowance is double the social assistance standard, a significant increase from the current 540,000 VND. This policy applies to former grassroots youth volunteers in Southern Vietnam who participated in the resistance war from 1965-1975, provided they meet specific criteria regarding their work capacity and living circumstances.
Beyond the increased benefits, the government has streamlined application procedures to ensure easier access to the policy. Former youth volunteers or their relatives can submit applications directly, by mail, or online through the National Public Service Portal, sending them to the communal People's Committee (UBND) in their place of permanent residence.
Applicants are no longer required to resubmit documents already present in national or specialized databases that are connected and shared with the administrative procedure resolution system.
Upon receiving complete and valid applications, the communal UBND has five working days to review and approve them. The results will be publicly disclosed for five working days before being forwarded to the provincial specialized agency for appraisal and submission to the Chairman of the provincial People's Committee (UBND) for a final decision.
The processing time for funeral allowances has also been shortened from approximately 25 days to eight working days, calculated from the receipt of complete and valid applications until a decision is made. Subsequently, the communal UBND has an additional five working days to disburse payments to relatives or those responsible for funeral arrangements.
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Ms. Pham Thi Thuan, 83 years old, originally from Thanh Hoa, a former youth volunteer during the American War (Vietnam War), attends a parade on Le Duan street in TP HCM with her children and grandchildren in 4/2025. *Photo: Thanh Tung*.
For Southern grassroots youth volunteers who passed away between 20/11/2017 and before 1/12/2026, and who had not received a one-time allowance or retained documents for funeral allowance procedures, their relatives may be considered for a one-time allowance of 3,6 million VND if they meet the eligibility criteria.
These new policies will take effect from 1/12/2026.
Nationwide, there are currently over 650,000 former youth volunteers who participated in the struggle for national independence and national construction, with approximately 2,500 belonging to the grassroots youth volunteer force in Southern Vietnam.
Vu Tuan
