Workplace accidents and serious technical incidents are among the most sensitive legal issues that businesses may face in Vietnam. Beyond immediate concerns for employee safety, these incidents trigger strict legal reporting obligations for employers. Failure to comply with reporting requirements can expose businesses to administrative penalties, increased liability, and heightened scrutiny from labor authorities.
For many companies—especially foreign-invested enterprises (FDI)—the challenge lies not only in handling the incident itself, but also in understanding when, how, and to whom workplace accidents must be reported under Vietnamese law.
This article provides a practical legal overview of workplace accident reporting obligations in Vietnam, helping businesses stay compliant and reduce legal risk.
Under Vietnamese occupational safety and health regulations, a workplace accident is an unexpected incident that occurs during the performance of work or tasks related to employment and causes injury, health damage, or death to an employee.
A serious technical incident affecting occupational safety refers to failures, breakdowns, or abnormal conditions of machinery, equipment, or technical systems that exceed permitted safety limits and pose a risk to human life, health, property, or the working environment.
Both types of events fall under mandatory reporting obligations when they reach certain levels of severity.
The primary reporting responsibility lies with the employer or business entity where the accident or incident occurs.
In practice:
Employees or witnesses must immediately inform their direct supervisor or employer when an accident occurs.
The employer must then take prompt action to secure the scene, provide emergency assistance, and report the incident to competent authorities.
This obligation applies regardless of whether the injured person is a permanent employee, a contract worker, or—in certain technical incidents—a third party affected at the workplace.
Not all workplace accidents require formal reporting to authorities. However, reporting is mandatory in the following cases:
Workplace accidents resulting in death
Workplace accidents causing serious injuries to two or more employees
Serious technical incidents that result in death or severe injuries
Incidents that pose a high risk of causing serious harm if not promptly controlled
In these cases, businesses must report immediately upon becoming aware of the incident.
When a reportable workplace accident or serious technical incident occurs, the employer must notify:
The Department of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs (DOLISA) in the locality where the incident took place
In the event of a fatal accident, the district-level police authority must also be informed
Notification must be made as quickly as possible using the fastest available means, such as:
Direct notification
Telephone
Fax or official dispatch
Delayed reporting is considered a violation, even if the incident is eventually reported.
An initial workplace accident report should provide sufficient information to allow authorities to understand the nature and severity of the incident.
Typical information includes:
Name and address of the business
Location and time of the accident or technical incident
Description of what happened
Number of injured or deceased persons
Initial measures taken to provide first aid and control risks
Current status of the accident scene
After the initial notification, businesses are often required to cooperate in further investigation and submit more detailed reports in accordance with official forms and procedures.
A common area of confusion arises when a serious technical incident affects individuals who are not employees of the business, such as visitors, contractors, or third parties.
Vietnamese law still requires the business where the incident occurred to:
Immediately report the incident to DOLISA
Notify local police if the incident results in death
This rule reflects the principle that responsibility for occupational safety extends to anyone present within the operational control of the business.
Workplace accident reporting is not a one-time obligation.
After the initial notification, businesses may be required to:
Preserve the accident scene (unless emergency intervention is necessary)
Participate in accident investigations conducted by authorities
Provide documents, witness statements, and technical records
Submit formal investigation reports within statutory time limits
Implement corrective and preventive measures as required
Failure to cooperate fully during investigation stages can result in additional legal consequences.
Non-compliance with workplace accident reporting obligations can lead to serious legal consequences, including:
Administrative fines imposed on the business
Increased liability in labor disputes or compensation claims
Adverse findings during labor inspections
Reputational damage and operational disruption
In severe cases, improper handling of workplace accidents may also expose company managers to personal liability.
Many businesses struggle with workplace accident reporting because:
Regulations are technical and frequently updated
Reporting thresholds are misunderstood
Internal procedures are unclear or undocumented
Responsibility is split between HR, operations, and management
There is no in-house legal team to guide compliance
These challenges are particularly common among FDI companies that are unfamiliar with local enforcement practices.
Workplace accident reporting should not be treated as an isolated compliance task. It is part of a broader legal framework governing labor management, occupational safety, and corporate responsibility.
An ongoing legal consultancy service helps businesses:
Establish clear internal reporting procedures
Identify when reporting is legally required
Prepare compliant reports and documentation
Coordinate with labor authorities and inspectors
Reduce legal exposure during investigations
Proactive legal support allows businesses to respond confidently and lawfully when incidents occur.
DEDICA provides ongoing legal consultancy services for businesses operating in Vietnam, with a strong focus on labor and compliance matters.
Our support includes:
Legal advice on workplace accident classification and reporting obligations
Assistance in preparing and submitting compliant reports
Support during inspections and accident investigations
Review and improvement of internal occupational safety procedures
Ongoing updates on labor and occupational safety regulations
DEDICA acts as an outsourced legal department, helping businesses manage risks before they escalate into legal disputes or penalties.
Reporting workplace accidents and serious technical incidents is a mandatory legal obligation for businesses in Vietnam. Understanding when reporting is required, how to report correctly, and how to cooperate with authorities is essential for legal compliance and risk management.
For businesses—especially foreign-invested enterprises—having reliable legal guidance ensures that workplace incidents are handled lawfully, transparently, and efficiently.
📞 Hotline: (+84) 39 969 0012 (Available via WhatsApp, WeChat, Zalo)
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Contact us today for a free initial consultation with our experienced lawyers!
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