The Ministry of Health has recently issued an implementation plan for Decree No. 90/2026/ND-CP (signed on March 30, 2026) regarding administrative sanctions in the healthcare sector. This is a strategic move to ensure synchronized and strict legal enforcement nationwide.
Objectives and Operational Methods: The plan’s primary focus is to clearly define the responsibilities of each unit, ensuring that all violations are handled promptly and consistently. The Ministry of Health mandates that functional agencies maintain regular coordination, continuous inspection, and troubleshooting of difficulties arising during the application of new regulations.
Specialized Management Decentralization: The plan clearly delineates the roles of various Departments and Administrations in guiding sanctions across specific fields:
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Preventive Medicine and HIV/AIDS Prevention: Primarily handled by the General Department of Preventive Medicine.
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Medical Examination and Treatment: Managed by the Administration of Medical Examination and Treatment in coordination with the Department of Maternal and Child Health and the Administration of Traditional Medicine.
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Pharmaceuticals and Cosmetics: Led by the Drug Administration of Vietnam in collaboration with relevant units.
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Medical Devices: Managed by the Department of Healthcare Infrastructure and Equipment.
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Health Insurance and Population: Directly overseen by the Health Insurance Department and the Vietnam Food Administration.
Dissemination and Supervision Activities: In 2026, legal training and dissemination will be intensified from central to local levels. The Legal Affairs Department is assigned the lead role in periodically reporting the enforcement status to the Ministry of Justice. Locally, Provincial and City People’s Committees are responsible for issuing separate plans and directing implementation within their jurisdictions.
Key Update on Fines: Decree 90 will officially take effect on May 15, 2026, with many stringent provisions. Notably, directly marketing tobacco to consumers can result in fines ranging from 20 to 30 million VND. Furthermore, failing to incorporate smoking bans at the workplace into internal regulations will also be subject to administrative penalties.