The Vietnam Food Administration (Ministry of Health) has officially announced the latest list of 27 testing laboratories designated for state management of food safety. This update, current as of February 6, 2026, aims to enhance transparency and efficiency in national food quality control.
Regulatory shifts in decentralization Under Decree 148/2025/ND-CP, which took effect in mid-2025, the authority to designate food testing facilities has been decentralized. Specifically, the heads of provincial health departments or agencies authorized by Provincial People’s Committees now hold the power to appoint these facilities. Consequently, the current management framework comprises two tiers: facilities designated directly by the Ministry of Health and those approved by 34 provinces and cities.
A diverse testing network The 27 facilities listed include leading national institutes, provincial Centers for Disease Control (CDC), and high-capacity private enterprises. Key entities include:
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Northern Region: National Institute for Food Control, National Institute of Nutrition, CDC Quang Ninh.
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Southern Region: Institute of Public Health in Ho Chi Minh City, Pasteur Institute in HCMC, SGS Vietnam Ltd.
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Central & Highlands Regions: Pasteur Institute in Nha Trang, Central Highlands Institute of Hygiene and Epidemiology.
Each designated facility is assigned a unique identification code and operates under specific legal mandates, ensuring their capacity to perform standardized testing for state management nationwide.