In brief
On 24 December 2025, the Government issued Decree No. 337/2025/ND-CP (“Decree 337”), providing a legal framework for the execution and management of electronic labor contracts. The Decree took effect 1 January 2026, and the Government must operationalize a new national platform no later than 1 July 2026.
Decree 337 reflects a growing trend of digitalization initiatives in Vietnam, including in respect to labor management, and outlines the key requirements for execution of electronic labor contracts.
Key takeaways
Using electronic labor contracts is optional, and employers in Vietnam are free to continue using traditional paper-based contracts, without any mandatory conversion to, or adoption of, electronic forms.
To be considered valid, an electronic labor contract must satisfy the conditions provided under Decree 337, and further retain compliance with applicable regulations on electronic transactions, cybersecurity, and personal data protection.
Under Decree 337, electronic labor contract requirements include execution via an eContract service provider with the use of certified digital signatures and ID verification, before uploading to the new National Electronic Labor Contract Platform (“National Platform”).
The Government set a deadline of 1 July 2026 for the National Platform to be officially operational. Considering this transition period and gradual adoption of the National Platform, further updates and practical guidance are expected.
In more detail
1. Execution Requirements
- Identification: Both the employee and the employer’s signatory must possess a Level 2 electronic ID account (VneID or tài khoản định danh điện tử mức độ 2 in Vietnamese), or other valid ID documents like a citizen ID card or passport (for foreign nationals). The employer will also require standard enterprise registration documents (e.g., enterprise registration certificate, investment registration certificate).
- Digital Signatures: The employee and employer must use certified digital signatures and timestamp services in accordance with the Law on Electronic Transactions.
- Authentication: Employers and employees must utilize a licensed eContract service provider to facilitate the execution and authentication of electronic labor contracts.
2. National Platform
Decree 337 mandates the establishment of a centralized National Platform, specifically developed and operated by the Ministry of Home Affairs to manage electronic labor contract data.
Following the above execution steps (identification, digital signature and authentication via eContract service provider), electronic labor contracts must be uploaded by the eContract service provider to the National Platform within 24 hours from execution. Upon submission to the National Platform, a unique electronic labor contract identifier (“Contract ID”) will be assigned. The eContract service provider is then responsible for sending the finalized electronic labor contract and corresponding Contract ID to employees and employers via appropriate electronic means.
New electronic labor contracts (including those converted from physical form) must be uploaded to the National platform and assigned a Contract ID. Presently, any electronic labor contracts concluded before Decree 337 do not yet need to be uploaded to the National Platform (though this may be subject to change).
3. Conversion between paper and electronic formats
As stated above, it is not mandatory to convert physical labor contracts to electronic form (and Decree 337 has no impact on standard unconverted physical labor contracts). However, any discretionary conversions to electronic records must comply with the requirements of Decree 337 (i.e., sufficiently executed and uploaded to the National Platform).
It is also possible to revert an electronic labor contract back to physical form if desired.
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Hoang Anh Nguyen, Special Counsel, has contributed to this legal update.
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