Protecting the rights of unpaid caregivers: Current situation and policy recommendations for Vietnam

In Vietnam, as in many developing countries, millions of people, predominantly women, perform substantial unpaid care and social reproduction work within households. Although such work requires considerable time and effort and is essential to family and societal well-being, it is often not recognized as labour under labour law, is inadequately reflected in economic indicators such as GDP, and rarely generates corresponding social security entitlements. This study examines the importance of protecting unpaid caregivers’ rights, assesses current legal and policy protections in Vietnam, and compares them with relevant international standards on human rights, gender equality, and care work. It proposes measures to improve the legal framework, strengthen implementation, expand social protection, and promote greater social recognition and redistribution of unpaid care work.