The Ministry of Finance recently issued a circular guiding the creation of electronic social insurance books and electronic health insurance cards for participants. This regulation does not apply to armed forces managed by the Ministry of National Defense and the Ministry of Public Security. The circular mandates that information recorded on electronic books and cards must match data in the National Database on Insurance, and all changes during participation and benefit resolution must be updated promptly and accurately.

According to regulations, the electronic social insurance book is created by the social insurance agency using a unique participant code. It is stored and updated in a personal electronic data repository. This book integrates with the VssID application and links to a level 2 VNeID account. The electronic book contains the same information as its paper counterpart and serves as a basis for resolving social insurance and unemployment benefits.

The electronic health insurance card is also generated by the social insurance agency from the National Database on Insurance, linked to the participant's social insurance code. The card displays basic information: full name, initial medical examination and treatment registration location, validity period, and benefit level based on the beneficiary category. The card is stored on VssID and linked to VNeID, allowing people to use it for medical examinations and treatment in place of a paper card.

Participants and employers are responsible for declaring and submitting registration documents, as well as updating information when changes occur. The social insurance agency receives, processes, and returns results via the electronic data repository or the email of the participant and relevant entity.

Participant's social insurance and health insurance information is displayed on level 2 VNeID identification. *Photo: Hong Chieu*

The circular states that once individuals submit electronic documents, agencies cannot request additional paper copies. For paper social insurance books that have not yet had benefits resolved or data fully updated, the social insurance agency will continue to supplement information to resolve entitlements. Health insurance cards displayed on VssID issued before 3/2 remain legally valid and can be used under the new regulations.

Recently, many individuals reported missing social insurance contribution periods on the VssID application, raising concerns about their entitlements. Vietnam Social Security stated that this issue is common, primarily due to: incomplete data updates from employers, delayed contributions by businesses, incorrect reporting of labor increases or decreases, system synchronization in progress, or inaccurate personal information.

To address this, employees can report issues through their company's human resources department to supplement records, directly contact the social insurance agency managing their records, or submit a request via the National Public Service Portal. When reporting, participants need to prepare relevant documents: screenshots of their insurance participation history on VssID, citizen identification card, social insurance code, and documents proving their employment history.

The social insurance agency stated that during the transition phase, paper social insurance books will continue to be used in parallel with their electronic versions.

Hong Chieu