Foreign investors open specialty clinics in Vietnam

Vietnam’s population is more than 94 million people, ranked 14th in the world and is a developing country, economic conditions are improving so the demand for health care of the people is higher. Medical examination and treatment services have also grown to attract both domestic and foreign investors. Foreign investors wishing to open specialty clinics in Vietnam should note the following procedures:

Vietnam’s commitments pursuant to the WTO and other Free trade agreements are signed by Vietnam, establishment of specialty clinic in Vietnam, the minimum investment capital for 200,000 USD.

Foreign investors open specialty clinics in Vietnam shall carry out as follows:

Step 1: Establishment of foreign-invested companies ( establishment of new companies with 1 percent to 100 percent foreign investment capital).

• If foreign investors and Vietnamese party contribute capital to establish company, the procedures shall be carried out as follows.

Step 1: Establishment of  Vietnamese companies which have registered specialty clinics business activities. The time for establishment of a company within 6 to 8 days  including procedures for issuing the certificate of business registration, the stamp carving and making an announcement using their stamp

Step 2: Apply for a qualified operating license for a specialty clinic;

Step 3: Tranfer of capital contribution to foreign investors

• In case of establishment of 100% foreign-owned capital in Vietnam

Step 1: Issuing the certificate of investment registration at Investment registration agency

Step 2: After being issuied the certificate of investment registration, investor shall establish company, issuing the certificate of business registration at the business registration agency. Then, company carry out publishing their notices of establishment, the stamp carving and making an announcement using their stamp in National enterprise registration information portal

Step 3: Apply for a qualified operating license for a specialty clinic;

Issuing the qualified operating license for a specialty clinic

Dossier shall include the following papers:

• A written proposal for issuing the qualified operating license (Annex 13 of Circular No 41/2011/TT-BYT)
• A copy of certificate of business registration or certificate of investment registration
• A copy of the practicing certificate of the person in charge of the technical and professional responsibility, the department’s head, the department or the person in charge of the speciality unit and the list of practitioners of the medical examination and treatment establishments.
• List of facilities, medical equipment, description of organization
• Human Resource record of the person in charge of the medical professional at the facility but not subject to the issuance of a practicing certificate.
• Documents proving that the health care facilities satisfy the conditions on facilities, medical equipment and Human Resources suitable to the scope of professional activities;
• Expected scope of professional activities: the health care facilities shall propose the list of specialized techniques to be implemented on the basis of the list of specialized techniques promulgated by the Minister of Health.
• Agencies receiving: The provinces and cities under (the jurisdiction of) the central government health department

Note: Conditions of issuing the qualified operating license for specialty clinic to facilities, medical equipment and Human Resources, the scope of professional activities stipulated in Article 25 of Circular No 41/2011/TT-BYT