Is it allowed to reveal the gender of the fetus in what cases?
According to Circular 11/2026, diseases that are notified and revealed fetal sex for diagnosis and treatment (according to the detailed regulations in Clause 3, Article 6 of the Population Law) include 137 diseases, syndromes; including diseases related to genes, chromosomal abnormalities, congenital diseases...
The Ministry of Health requires medical examination and treatment facilities to only notify and disclose the fetal gender for diagnosis and treatment according to the prescribed list; provide advice before and after performing technical services for subjects on the scope, meaning, limits of technical services and the possibility of not detecting some diseases during testing.
According to the Ministry of Health, the list of 137 diseases includes diseases, disabilities, genetic or congenital syndromes related to sex chromosomes or genes that affect the process of determining and developing sex, in which determining the sex of the fetus is meaningful in diagnosis, prognosis, treatment or prevention of diseases; gender-linked genetic diseases (group of diseases caused by gene mutations on sex chromosomes); sexual developmental disorders (congenital conditions causing atypical sexual development due to abnormalities of sex chromosomes, glands or genitals).
This Circular takes effect from July 1, 2026.
Violations of fetal sex selection are fined up to 30 million VND
From May 15, violations of fetal sex selection will be fined up to 30 million VND according to Decree No. 90/ND-CP on sanctioning administrative violations in the field of health.
A fine of 7 - 15 million VND for acts of threatening to use force, psychological intimidation to force others to apply methods to achieve the desired fetal sex. A fine of 15 - 20 million VND for acts of using force to force others to apply methods to achieve the desired fetal sex.
A fine of 20 - 25 million VND for one of the following acts: prescribing, guiding the use, providing drugs, and types of preparations that affect the conception process to achieve the desired fetal sex; researching methods to achieve the desired fetal sex, unless permitted by law. Additional penalties: suspension of operation of the facility for 1 - 3 months; revocation of the right to use the license or practicing certificate for medical examination and treatment for 1 - 3 months.
A fine of 7 - 10 million VND for the act of seducing and enticing pregnant women to abort the fetus for gender selection reasons. A fine of 10 - 15 million VND for the act of psychological intimidation to force pregnant women to abort the fetus for gender selection reasons. A fine of 15 - 20 million VND for the act of using force to force pregnant women to abort the fetus for gender selection reasons. A fine of 20 - 25 million VND for one of the following acts: providing chemicals or drugs to abort the fetus and knowing clearly that the pregnant woman wants to abort the fetus for gender selection reasons.
A fine of 25 - 30 million VND for the act of abortion knowing that the pregnant woman wants to remove the fetus for gender selection reasons and additional penalties: revocation of the right to use an operating license, license or practicing certificate for 3 - 6 months; revocation of the right to use an operating license, license or practicing certificate for 6 - 12 months...
