Work Permit Health Check in Ho Chi Minh City: What Counts
A work permit file includes a health certificate from a qualified medical facility. In Ho Chi Minh City the Department of Health keeps a list of qualified facilities, with 72 cleared for exams with a foreign element on 18 May 2026. A doctor holding a practising certificate or licence carries out the exam.
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The work permit dossier includes a health certificate from a qualified medical facility. The employer files the dossier.
What the permit file asks for
Giấy khám sức khỏe do cơ sở khám bệnh, chữa bệnh có đủ điều kiện cấp, trừ trường hợp kết quả khám sức khỏe đã được kết nối, chia sẻ trên Hệ thống thông tin về quản lý hoạt động khám bệnh, chữa bệnh hoặc cơ sở dữ liệu quốc gia về y tế.
A health certificate issued by a qualified medical facility, except where the result is already connected and shared on the health information system or the national health database. Decree 219/2025/NĐ-CP, Điều 18 khoản 2
The same dossier holds a judicial record issued within 6 months of filing, a passport that is still valid and two colour photos. The work permit guide lists the items and the filing steps.
Which clinic counts in Ho Chi Minh City
The decree asks for a qualified facility, so the clinic matters. In Ho Chi Minh City the Department of Health publishes a list of facilities it has declared qualified to carry out health exams. The newest edition found is updated to 18 May 2026.
The list has a column for exams with a foreign element, next to the columns for under-18s, adults, drivers and students. On 18 May 2026 the city had 272 facilities qualified for adults and 72 qualified for exams with a foreign element. On 28 March 2025 the foreign-element count was 53.
The foreign-element column shows the exam language. Two rows with English in that column are below.
- Victoria Healthcare general clinic, 20-20 Bis-22 Dinh Tien Hoang, Tan Dinh Ward.
- Nhan Hau International general clinic, 522-524 Nguyen Chi Thanh, Dien Hong Ward.
20-20Bis-22 Dinh Tien Hoang, Tan Dinh, Ho Chi Minh 700000, Vietnam · Open in Google Maps (opens in a new tab)
What the exam covers
A doctor holding a practising certificate or licence carries out the exam.
Người thực hiện khám sức khỏe là người hành nghề có chức danh chuyên môn là bác sỹ có chứng chỉ hành nghề hoặc giấy phép hành nghề khám bệnh, chữa bệnh.
The exam is carried out by a practitioner who is a doctor holding a practising certificate or licence. Health ministry circular on the Law on Medical Examination and Treatment, as amended in 2026, Điều 36 khoản 6
The decree names no separate exam type for a work permit. An exam for anyone aged 18 or over follows the content of Form 03 in Appendix XXIV of the circular. An exam that classifies health for study or work does its laboratory tests under section III part 1 of that form. Articles 2 and 3 of the 2026 amending circular took effect on 1 July 2026.
Price and validity
Nhan Hau prices its work-permit package at VND 1,260,000. That is one clinic’s own list, not a city rate. A Vietnamese health certificate is valid for 12 months from the date the doctor signs the health conclusion.
Timing and foreign certificates
The employer files the dossier 60 to 10 days before the worker is due to start. The agency decides within 10 working days of a complete file. A permit lasts up to 2 years.
A certificate from abroad
A foreign certificate is accepted where Vietnam and that country or territory recognise each other’s certificates. It must be no more than 12 months old.
Foreign-issued papers in the dossier must be consularly legalised unless a treaty, reciprocity or the law exempts them. Legalised papers are then translated into Vietnamese and certified.
Where the file goes
The employer files at the Public Administrative Service Centre in the place where the worker will work. The city centre opened on 31 December 2025 at 43 Nguyen Van Ba (Thu Duc Ward).
The work permit guide covers the decision, validity and fines.
Step by step
- Pick a facility from the city listFind the clinic in the foreign-element column of the 18 May 2026 Department of Health list.
- Have a doctor examine youA doctor holding a practising certificate or licence carries out the exam, following Form 03 for an adult.
- Collect the health certificateThe dossier needs a certificate from a qualified medical facility.
- Give it to your employerThe employer files the dossier 60 to 10 days before your start date.
- Wait for the decisionThe agency decides within 10 working days of a complete file.
Not confirmed: Which countries' health certificates Vietnam recognises: no list was found, so an exam in Ho Chi Minh City is the safe route. The department adds and withdraws clinics between list updates, so confirm your clinic is still on the newest list when you book.
Common questions
Does a work permit file need a health check?
The dossier includes a health certificate from a qualified medical facility. The employer files the dossier.
Which facilities in Ho Chi Minh City qualify?
The city Department of Health publishes the facilities it declared qualified, with a separate column for exams with a foreign element. On 18 May 2026 the list had 72 in that column.
How many facilities were on the foreign-element list?
72 on 18 May 2026, up from 53 on 28 March 2025.
How long is the health certificate valid?
A Vietnamese health certificate is valid for 12 months from the date the doctor signs the health conclusion.
How much does the exam cost?
One qualified clinic, Nhan Hau, prices its work-permit package at VND 1,260,000.
Who carries out the exam?
A doctor holding a practising certificate or licence.
Which exam type does a work permit need?
The decree asks only for a health certificate. For anyone aged 18 or over the exam follows Form 03 in Appendix XXIV of the circular. When the exam classifies health for work, the lab tests follow section III part 1 of that form.
Is a certificate from my home country accepted?
A foreign certificate is accepted where Vietnam and that country or territory recognise each other's certificates, and it must be no more than 12 months old.
Do I need a paper certificate if my result is already in the health system?
The dossier item has an exception for a result already connected and shared on the health information system or the national health database.
Do foreign papers need legalising?
Foreign-issued papers in the dossier must be consularly legalised unless a treaty, reciprocity or the law exempts them. Legalised papers are then translated into Vietnamese and certified.
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General information checked against the sources listed above, not legal advice for your situation. Rules and office practice change; confirm with the immigration office or a licensed adviser before you act. See how guides are checked.
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