Under the decision, individuals eligible for centralized assistance include people engaged in begging, including those accompanying them; and those who bring children, persons with disabilities or elderly people to sell goods, follow or harass passersby, including the accompanying children, persons with disabilities and older persons.

The policy also applies to elderly people and children who are separated from their families, homeless persons, and individuals living in public places during the Lunar New Year or periods of severe cold, when temperatures fall below 10 degrees Celsius.

These individuals will be taken to public social assistance facilities for temporary reception and care, while arrangements are made to return them to their place of residence or provide temporary accommodation if their residence cannot be identified.

Individuals showing signs of mental illness, as well as those who are ill or severely physically weakened, will be transferred to designated medical facilities in the city for medical stabilization and treatment.

The decision also clearly stipulates procedures for inspection, concentration, reception and case handling. People’s Committees at the ward and commune levels are responsible for identifying, reporting and coordinating the handling of homeless individuals within their jurisdictions.

For individuals with mental illness or those who are sick and physically exhausted, local authorities are required to contact Emergency Center 115 to arrange transport to inpatient medical facilities or coordinate directly with medical institutions for admission and treatment.

In cases of force majeure where Emergency Center 115, medical facilities or social assistance centers are unable to provide transportation, ward and commune authorities may use local budget funds to hire vehicles to transfer individuals to public social assistance or medical facilities.

For other cases of homelessness, ward and commune authorities will escort individuals to temporary shelters, compile initial records, and coordinate with the police and relevant agencies to verify personal identity and place of residence, with the aim of reuniting them with families or returning them to their localities. If residence information cannot be verified, individuals will be transferred to public social assistance facilities within the management area.

Emergency Center 115 and designated medical facilities are responsible for receiving individuals with mental illness or those who are sick and physically exhausted upon notification. These facilities must conduct medical examination and treatment, while coordinating with the police and local authorities to verify identity and residence information.

After medical conditions are stabilized, cases will be handled in accordance with classification results. For individuals with identifiable addresses, medical facilities will notify families and local authorities to arrange handover and return. For those whose residence cannot be identified, medical facilities must complete case files and submit written requests to the Department of Health, which will direct public social assistance facilities to receive and provide temporary care.

For individuals with mental illness or those who remain sick or severely weakened after stabilization, social assistance facilities will promptly coordinate with Emergency Center 115 or medical institutions, upon instruction from the Department of Health, to implement decisions on reception, care and management.

For other homeless cases, social assistance facilities may directly identify and receive individuals or act upon notifications from local authorities. Individuals will be admitted for temporary care for a maximum period of three months. Within five days, social assistance facilities must submit reception decisions and complete case files to the Department of Health. During the care period, individuals will be informed of relevant legal provisions and facility regulations, and facilities may arrange early handover to families or localities in accordance with guidance from the Department of Health.

Social assistance facilities will coordinate with the police and local authorities to verify residence information and complete procedures for family or community reintegration. If individuals cannot be returned after the three-month period, facilities must report to the Department of Health and propose appropriate long-term care arrangements.

For homeless foreign nationals, the Hanoi Police will take the lead in handling cases in accordance with the Law on Entry, Exit, Transit and Residence of Foreigners in Vietnam, relevant city regulations and other applicable legal provisions.