More and more foreign doctors are choosing Vietnam to practice — from international hospitals to specialized clinics. Medical practice in Vietnam is, however, a strictly conditional activity: foreign doctors must hold a practice license, register their practice and meet language, health and other requirements. This guide covers all conditions and timelines under current law.
1. New Terminology: “Practice License” Replaces “Practicing Certificate”
The Law on Medical Examination and Treatment 15/2023/QH15 (effective 1 January 2024, replacing Law 40/2009/QH12) replaced the term “practicing certificate” with “practice license”. Older texts using the old term should be read under the new terminology.
2. Applicable Legal Framework (in force as of 14 October 2026)
- Law on Medical Examination and Treatment 15/2023/QH15 (effective 1 January 2024).
- Decree 96/2023/ND-CP (effective 1 January 2024) — detailed guidance.
- Decree 219/2025/ND-CP on work permits (effective 7 August 2025) — replacing Decree 152/2020/ND-CP; applicable to foreign workers in Vietnam, including doctors.
3. Conditions for Practicing in Vietnam (Article 19, Law 15/2023)
Medical practitioners — including foreigners — must simultaneously meet:
- (a) Hold a valid practice license;
- (b) Have registered their practice;
- (c) Meet the language requirements under Article 21;
- (d) Be physically fit to practice;
- (e) Not fall under the prohibitions in Article 20.
4. Conditions for a New Practice License (Article 30, Law 15/2023)
- Assessed as competent to practice via a competency assessment (Article 24) or hold a recognized practice license (Article 29);
- Physically fit to practice;
- Meet Vietnamese language competency requirements (for foreigners);
- Not fall under Article 20.
License validity: under Article 27, each practitioner is granted only one practice license, valid nationwide, for 5 years.
5. Two Routes for Foreign Doctors
5.1. Recognition of a Foreign-Issued Practice License (Article 29)
A practice license issued by a competent foreign authority may be recognized in Vietnam if statutory conditions are met (the list of recognized issuing authorities should be checked against the original legal text).
5.2. New License Issued in Vietnam
- Clinical practice as a doctor for 12 months: under Decree 96/2023, comprising 9 months of medical examination and treatment plus 3 months of emergency resuscitation;
- Competency assessment organized by the National Medical Council — applicable from 1 January 2027. Before that date, completing the practice period with suitable qualifications suffices.
6. Language Requirements (Article 21) — Timelines to Remember
The language of medical examination and treatment is Vietnamese. Foreign practitioners may use another language in three cases:
- Sharing the patient’s mother tongue;
- The patient is a foreigner;
- Humanitarian campaigns or technology transfer — in which case an interpreter is required.
Medical records must be translated into Vietnamese.
Key upcoming change: the Vietnamese language competency requirement for foreigners (Article 19(1)(c), Article 30(2)(c)) only takes effect from 1 January 2032 (Article 120(4), Law 15/2023). It should not be read as “mandatory immediately” today.
7. Work Permit — A Parallel Requirement
Beyond the practice license, foreign doctors working in Vietnam need a work permit under Decree 219/2025/ND-CP (replacing Decree 152/2020/ND-CP from 7 August 2025). These are two independent procedures handled by different authorities — prepare them in parallel to avoid delaying the start date. See also: Hiring Foreign Workers in Vietnam: Work Permit Guide.
8. Common Pitfalls and Recommendations
- Practicing on an expired license (5-year term): complete renewal/re-issuance in time.
- Misreading the timelines: competency assessment applies from 1 January 2027; Vietnamese language requirements from 1 January 2032 — prepare early but apply the right dates.
- Missing work permit: even with a practice license, working without a work permit is punishable.
- No practice registration at a specific establishment: the license is valid nationwide, but practice registration remains mandatory.
9. Frequently Asked Questions
Can a foreign doctor with a foreign degree practice immediately?
Not yet. They need recognition of their practice license (Article 29) or a new Vietnamese license (12 months’ practice + competency assessment from 1 January 2027), plus a work permit.
How long is a practice license valid?
5 years, valid nationwide; each practitioner holds only one license (Article 27).
When must foreign doctors be proficient in Vietnamese?
The Vietnamese language competency requirement takes effect from 1 January 2032 (Article 120(4)). Until then, permitted cases of using another language require an interpreter and Vietnamese-translated records.
When does the competency assessment start?
From 1 January 2027, organized by the National Medical Council. Before that, a new license mainly requires 12 months of practice and suitable qualifications.
10. Legal Sources
- Law on Medical Examination and Treatment 15/2023/QH15 (Articles 19, 21, 27, 29, 30, 120; effective 1 January 2024).
- Decree 96/2023/ND-CP guiding the Law on Medical Examination and Treatment (effective 1 January 2024).
- Decree 219/2025/ND-CP on work permits (effective 7 August 2025; replacing Decree 152/2020).
Validity status checked on 14 October 2026 via thuvienphapluat.vn.
Transparency Note
This article is for general reference only and does not constitute legal advice for your specific case. It has been quality-checked by FLAT’s AI Legal Council; it is not a conclusion reviewed by a licensed human lawyer.
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