The short answer: yes. Vietnam’s WTO commitments on hospital services allow foreign investors to establish 100% foreign-owned hospitals — no joint venture with a Vietnamese partner required.
Conditions for a 100% FDI hospital
Foreign-invested hospital projects follow the Investment Law 2025 (143/2025/QH15, in force since 1 March 2026, replacing the 2020 law): obtain an Investment Registration Certificate (hospital projects need in-principle approval from the competent authority depending on scale), then a medical operation licence under the Law on Medical Examination and Treatment 2023 and Decree 96/2023/ND-CP. The law sets minimum capital thresholds by facility type (hospital, polyclinic, specialty clinic) — investors should verify the current figures in Decree 96/2023 when structuring the project, as they may be adjusted.
Practical limits to know
- Personnel: foreign practitioners need a Vietnamese practice licence (or recognized equivalent) and must meet language requirements for professional communication with patients.
- Land: foreign investors cannot receive allocated land with land-use fees like domestic investors; hospital projects typically use annually-paid leased land.
- Pricing: state-regulated prices apply to insured care; only on-demand and non-insured services are freely priced.
The right sequence: in-principle approval → Investment Registration Certificate → construction → acceptance → operation licence. Rushing the operation licence before facilities meet standards is the classic reason FDI healthcare projects stall.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is opening a 100% foreign-owned clinic easier than a hospital?
Broadly similar in principle, but minimum capital and facility requirements scale down by type. Specialty clinics face the lightest conditions among foreign-invested medical facilities.
Can an FDI hospital treat health-insurance patients?
Yes, if it contracts with the social insurance agency for insured care and meets the conditions. Many FDI hospitals target the on-demand segment and skip insurance to price freely.
Can foreign doctors practise at an FDI hospital?
Yes, with a valid Vietnamese practice licence and compliance with professional and language requirements under medical practice law.
This article has been quality-reviewed by the FLAW AI Legal Council
