The Ministry of Health has announced significant progress in reviewing and streamlining investment and business regulations. Following the roadmap of Resolution 21/2026/NQ-CP, the medical examination and treatment sector will undergo transformative changes to alleviate the administrative burden on enterprises and practitioners.
Major reduction in investment barriers Following two extensive reviews during 2025-2026, the number of business conditions in the healthcare sector has seen a sharp decline:
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Impressive figures: From an initial 920 conditions, only 307 remain (a reduction of over 600 conditions).
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Time optimization: The total duration for administrative procedures has been cut by 105 days, enabling healthcare facilities to commence operations more swiftly.
Transfer of authority to provincial levels Effective July 1, 2026, the Ministry of Health will implement a large-scale decentralization to provincial People’s Committee Chairpersons:
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Practice management: Procedures for issuing, re-issuing, extending, adjusting, or revoking medical practice licenses will be handled directly by local authorities instead of the Department of Medical Service Administration.
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Workload redistribution: The Ministry of Health will retain only 16 out of 33 administrative procedures. Most routine applications will be processed locally, allowing the Ministry to focus on highly specialized tasks.
The redefined role of the Ministry of Health Post-decentralization, the Ministry will concentrate on high-tech, complex procedures or those involving foreign elements (which represent a very low volume, approximately 1.2% of national applications). Remaining ministerial tasks include:
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Licensing operations and special technical categories for major private hospitals and Ministry-affiliated hospitals.
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Evaluating new medical techniques and innovative treatment methods for nationwide application.
These reforms aim to not only enhance transparency in the healthcare service market but also create a favorable environment for investors, fostering a more synchronized and efficient healthcare system.