You have the right to know what doctors wrote about you — and to copy your entire medical record. A right few Vietnamese use, even fewer foreigners know. When transferring hospitals, seeking a second opinion, or evidencing a complaint, the medical record is the key.
Patients’ right to access medical records
- Right to information (Article 9, 2023 Medical Law): patients are informed and briefed on their health status — the medical record is that information’s official form.
- Right to copies: patients (or lawful representatives) may request copies/summaries of their records from the facility — for transfers, assessments, complaints or personal archiving.
- How: written request to the hospital’s general planning/social work department; show ID (passport) + authorisation if representing someone. Hospitals charge regulated copying fees.
- Timing: facilities must provide records within a reasonable time — request early, not on discharge day (crowded, slow).
Patient-information confidentiality: two sides
- Hospitals must keep secrets: your health information and records may not go to third parties (family, insurers, employers included) without your consent, except where law permits (epidemic control, criminal investigation…).
- Keep your own counsel too: don’t post record photos or prescriptions on social media — exposing personal health data and possibly undermining complaints (revealing evidence strategy).
Foreigners: 3 situations needing records
- Hospital/country transfer: bring an English summary (ask the hospital for translation or get certified translation) — the next country’s doctors need treatment history.
- International-insurance reclaim: insurers require records + invoices — keep copies from the start, not at discharge.
- Medical complaints: records are the central evidence — copy them before filing (see EXP-0473).
FAQs
Hospital refusing to provide records?
Patients have the right to request — groundless refusal violates the law. Report to the Department of Health if obstructed. Note: hospitals may charge reasonable copying fees, not extortionate ones.
Can relatives copy my records?
Only with your written authorisation or when you’ve lost decision-making capacity (coma, death — then representative/heir rules apply). Hospitals don’t hand records to relatives unprompted.
How long are records kept?
Facilities must archive records for statutory periods (inpatient records often decades). Keep your own copies permanently — especially for chronic conditions.
Contact us
FLAT Law Firm advises foreign nationals and their families on inheritance, wills, driving licences, health insurance and money transfers in Vietnam. Contact us for advice on your specific case.
