Circular 08/2026/TT‑BNV, promulgated by the Ministry of Home Affairs, provides detailed guidance for implementing electronic labor contracts in Vietnam. The Circular focuses on the procedure for issuing a unique identification code (ID) for each electronic labor contract and on rules for managing and operating the Electronic Labor Contract Platform. The Circular also establishes technical standards for eContract service providers to connect data with state management systems, defines access rights and confidentiality obligations for personal data, and prescribes periodic reporting duties of relevant parties. The attached forms serve to standardize the process of registration, access, management, and storage of labor data in the digital environment. This regulation officially takes effect on July 1, 2026.
1. Steps for issuing an ID Code to an Electronic Labor Contract
The process of issuing an identification code (ID) for an electronic labor contract shall be executed through the following specific steps:
Step 1: The eContract provider submits the electronic labor contract to the Electronic Labor Contract Platform. The submission of data depends on the category of each contract:
- For contracts executed from July 1, 2026: The eContract provider shall submit the contract along with the prescribed data to the Electronic Labor Contract Platform.
- For contracts converted from paper documents: The provider shall submit the electronic contract along with relevant data, accompanied by detailed information on the conversion log (such as system name, executor, completion time, document capacity, and digital signature/public signature for sealing to confirm integrity).
- For contracts executed before July 1, 2026: The eContract provider must assist the employer and the employee in reviewing and supplementing digital signatures, timestamps attached to digital signatures, and authentication of data messages into the contract. Upon completion of the review and supplementation, the Provider shall then submit the contract and relevant data to the Platform.
Step 2: The platform receives, inspects, and automatically issues the ID
- The Electronic Labor Contract Platform shall receive, inspect the information (including identity verification of the parties, timestamps, digital signatures, and data message authentication), and issue the ID within 24 hours from the time of receipt.
- The issuance of the ID shall be performed automatically through the information system of the Platform. Should a technical incident occur during synchronization, the ID shall be issued immediately after the incident is rectified.
- If an electronic contract fails to comply with legal regulations (lacking identity verification, or failing to meet the regulations for converted contracts or contracts executed before/after July 1, 2026), the Platform shall refuse to issue the ID and automatically transmit a notification stating the reasons for non-issuance to the system of the eContract Provider.
Step 3: Synchronization and storage of the ID
- Upon successful issuance, the ID information shall be simultaneously transmitted to the system of the eContract Provider for management and storage alongside the electronic labor contract.
2. What is the structure of the ID code?
The identification code (ID) of an electronic labor contract is generated by the Electronic Labor Contract Platform using an automated algorithm, with a structure comprising 01 alphabetical character followed by 12 numerical characters. The detailed structure is prescribed as follows:
The alphabetical character (A, B, or C) is positioned at the beginning, representing the category of the contract:
- Letter A: Assigned to electronic labor contracts executed from July 1, 2026, through eContract platforms.
- Letter B: Assigned to electronic labor contracts converted from paper-based labor contracts.
- Letter C: Assigned to electronic labor contracts executed before July 1, 2026.
The 12 subsequent numerical characters are composed of:
- The first 02 numerical characters: Representing the last two digits of the year in which the electronic labor contract is issued the ID.
- The 10 following numerical characters: Being a randomly generated numerical sequence.
3. Does the ID code change when the contract is amended?
The identification code (ID) shall not change when the electronic labor contract is amended. Under the regulations, the ID is issued only once and remains unaltered in all cases where the electronic labor contract is amended, supplemented, suspended, or terminated. Furthermore, all documents arising during the performance of the contract, such as contract appendices, notices of suspension, or notices of termination, shall be attached to the same ID code of that original electronic labor contract.
4. What is the retention period for the contract ID code?
The information regarding the identification code (ID) shall be managed and retained together with the electronic labor contract. Therefore, the retention period of the ID code shall be identical to the retention period of the contract, specifically as follows:
- On the Electronic Labor Contract Platform: The data retention period is 10 years from the date of contract termination.
- At the system of the eContract Provider: The retention period shall be based on the service provision agreement between the parties, but must ensure a minimum duration equal to the retention period on the Platform (at least 10 years).
Note: If the employer and the employee enter into multiple consecutive labor contracts, this 10-year retention period shall be calculated from the date of termination of the final labor contract.
5. Who has the right to access the contract ID code?
The following subjects have the right to access, manage, and exploit information related to the identification code (ID) of electronic labor contracts:
- Employees and Employers: These are the two primary subjects directly participating in the execution of the contract. They are permitted to use accounts on the Electronic Labor Contract Platform to access, retrieve, and share information regarding their own electronic labor contracts. To serve this look-up demand, the ID code is linked to the personal identification code of the employee and the tax code of the employer.
- State Management Authorities: State authorities use the ID as a digital data management code for electronic labor contracts. Specifically, officials, public servants, and employees of authorities such as the Ministry of Home Affairs, the Vietnam General Confederation of Labor, the Department of Home Affairs, and the Management Boards of industrial parks, economic zones, and export processing zones will be granted accounts to exploit and process relevant professional operations on the Platform.
- eContract Service Providers: Information on the ID code immediately after issuance will be simultaneously sent by the Platform to the system of the eContract Provider. Consequently, the eContract provider can manage and retain this ID code together with the original electronic labor contract.
Other related organizations and individuals: In case of a demand to exploit and use specific data related to the execution and performance of electronic labor contracts, such organizations or individuals are required to submit a written registration to the Ministry of Home Affairs (according to the prescribed form) for consideration and provision of information. This access must strictly comply with regulations on personal data protection and information confidentiality.
Circular No. 08/2026/TT-BNV, applicable from July 1, 2026, will significantly change traditional human resource management practices. The assignment of an identification ID code to each electronic labor contract serves as the foundation for state authorities to conduct automated and continuous post-inspection activities.
To avoid operational disruptions, enterprises need to proactively cooperate with eContract providers to review the entire digital signature system, the 24-hour data submission process, and the document retention plan for a minimum of 10 years. Early standardization of technical infrastructure is therefore essential to minimize legal and data security risks while supporting more efficient operations in the digital era.
Time of writing: May 20, 2026
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