VLIC CONSULTING

Private Clinic License — Requirements, Documentation & Procedures 2026 — VLIC Consulting Private Clinic License Consulting Service
Special Topic
Consulting Service for Private General and Specialty Clinic Licenses
Comprehensive Legal Guidance · 2026

Licensing Consulting Service for
Licenses
Private Clinics

Operating a private general or specialty clinic is a conditional business line. To operate lawfully, organizations and individuals must obtain a business registration/license and medical examination and treatment operation license issued by the Department of Health — before receiving or providing medical examination and treatment to any patient.

Risks of Operating Without a License
No Clinic Operation License —
Serious Legal Consequences
→ Immediate suspension of operations and significant administrative penalties for providing medical services without a valid license or with an expired license.
→ Criminal liability may apply if serious harm is caused to patients due to inadequate facilities or professional qualifications.
→ May be forced to close and have the license revoked permanently, and may be barred from re-issuance for a specified period under the Law on Medical Examination and Treatment.
01
Legal Classification · Entities Subject to Mandatory Licensing

Three Groups of Entities
Required to Obtain a Private Clinic License

Under the Law on Medical Examination and Treatment and its guiding regulations, organizations and individuals in the groups below must complete the procedures for business registration/licensing and the medical examination and treatment operation license before receiving patients.

01
Household Business
Individual Household Business

Domestic individuals seeking to establish a clinic as an individual household business must register a household business with the appropriate medical examination and treatment business line and obtain an operation license from the Department of Health.

Typical Examples
Doctor-owned clinic Family clinic Small specialty clinic
Licensing Authority Provincial/Municipal Department of Health
02
Enterprise
Domestic Organizations & Enterprises

Limited liability companies, joint-stock companies, or private enterprises with domestic capital seeking to establish a private general or specialty clinic in corporate form.

Typical Examples
Healthcare limited liability company Private clinic chain Healthcare group
Licensing Authority Provincial/Municipal Department of Health
03
Foreign
Foreign Investors

Foreign individuals and organizations seeking to invest in and open a clinic in Vietnam must additionally obtain an Investment Registration Certificate (IRC) before carrying out medical operation licensing procedures.

Typical Examples
International healthcare organization Foreign investor Vietnamese–foreign joint venture
Licensing Authority Department of Planning and Investment + Department of Health
Full-Service Package
Free consultation on all requirements for opening a private clinic
From
VND 5.7 million
to receive a detailed quotation
View Services →
02
Legal Requirements · Facilities, Personnel & Equipment

Requirements for Opening a
Private Clinic in Detail

To obtain an operation license, a private general or specialty clinic must concurrently satisfy all requirements regarding facilities, medical equipment, personnel, and complete legal documentation as prescribed by law.

🏥
Facility Requirements
& Medical Equipment
—The clinic must have adequate consultation rooms, procedure rooms, waiting areas, and sanitation areas in accordance with medical technical standards; room areas must meet the minimum requirements for each specialty.
—Medical equipment must be adequate and suitable for the registered professional technical scope; equipment must have clear origin, valid usage status, and required inspection/certification.
—The person in charge of professional and technical operations must hold a valid medical practice certificate corresponding to the registered specialty.
—All practitioners at the clinic must have valid medical practice certificates issued by the Department of Health or Ministry of Health.
—The fire prevention and fighting system must meet standards and be inspected/accepted and certified by the competent authority before the licensing dossier is submitted.
—There must be a medical waste treatment system in accordance with regulations of the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, ensuring environmental hygiene.
📋
Dossier for Applying for a
Private Clinic License
—Business registration/license (enterprise or household business) with the appropriate medical examination and treatment business code; or an Investment Registration Certificate for foreign investors.
—Declaration of facilities and medical equipment and the clinic’s organizational model; registered professional technical scope.
—List of practitioners at the clinic, with copies of valid practice certificates for all medical personnel.
—Dossier of the professional and technical person in charge: ID card/citizen ID, professional qualifications, practice certificate, labor contract, and health examination certificate.
—Fire prevention and fighting certificate meeting applicable standards; legal documents proving the right to use the location or a valid lease agreement.
—Documents proving that the clinic satisfies requirements for medical equipment, facilities, and personnel under the Law on Medical Examination and Treatment.
"A clinic operation license is not only a legal obligation — it is the foundation for building a reputable healthcare brand, protecting patients, and developing sustainably in the healthcare sector."
— Vlic Legal Advisory · Experience from more than 500 private clinics
03
Filing Process · Provincial/Municipal Department of Health

Process &
Licensing Timeline

The application dossier for a private clinic operation license is submitted to the Department of Health where the clinic is located. The total time to complete the procedure is approximately 120 days depending on each specific case.

Step 1 · Business Registration
Obtain business registration/license
Establish a household business or enterprise
Include the medical examination and treatment business code
Obtain an Investment Registration Certificate (foreign investors)
Timeline: 5 days (domestic enterprises)
25–30 days (foreign investors)
Step 2 · Prepare Required Conditions
Satisfy healthcare requirements
Complete clinic facilities
Install adequate medical equipment
Recruit personnel with valid practice certificates
Obtain fire prevention and fighting approval/certificate
Prepare complete legal dossiers
Step 3 · Obtain the License
Department of Health appraisal & licensing
Submit the dossier to the Department of Health
Department of Health reviews the dossier
On-site inspection at the clinic
Issuance of licensing decision
Timeline: approximately 90 days
Note: In addition to the two main steps, the clinic must concurrently complete other legal procedures such as obtaining fire prevention and fighting approval/certification and ensuring a compliant medical waste treatment system. The total completion time is approximately 120 days; if handled independently, it may take 5–6 months. Vlic provides free notarization for all dossiers and documents.
Benefits of a Private Clinic License
Lawful medical examination and treatment operations Permitted to receive patients, provide medical services, and charge service fees in accordance with law.
Health insurance & reimbursement Provides a basis for entering into health insurance medical service contracts and significantly expanding the patient base.
Contracts & healthcare cooperation Facilitates contracts with higher-level hospitals, pharmaceutical companies, and healthcare partners.
Strong legal foundation Provides a legal foundation to protect rights, resolve disputes, and develop a healthcare brand.
Avoid suspension & criminal liability Avoids risks of operational suspension, administrative penalties, and criminal liability.
Full Service Package
From consultation → condition preparation → dossier drafting → submission → operation license receipt
From only
VND 5,700,000
Written timeline commitment
1
Free legal consultation

Analyze the clinic model, determine the appropriate form (general/specialty), advise on all regulations and requirements for opening a general or specialty clinic, and provide a detailed service quotation.

2
Business registration

Assist in establishing a household business or enterprise with the appropriate medical examination and treatment business code; obtain an Investment Registration Certificate for foreign investors as quickly as possible.

3
Review & completion of requirements

Review all existing conditions — facilities, medical equipment, personnel, and practice certificates — identify deficiencies and guide completion in accordance with Ministry of Health regulations.

4
Complete dossier preparation

Prepare the complete operation license dossier: facility declaration, practitioner list, professional technical scope, and all related documents. Free notarization included.

5
Representative submission & follow-up

Submit the dossier to the Department of Health on behalf of the client; monitor the entire process, coordinate the on-site clinic appraisal, and promptly respond to any supplementation requests.

6
Post-licensing support

Advise on post-licensing legal obligations; assist with fire prevention and fighting approval, health insurance contract registration, and procedures arising when adding specialties or new facilities.

05
Representative Clients · Real Testimonials

More Than 500 Private Clinics
Have Trusted Vlic

Feedback from organizations and individuals that have completed private clinic licensing procedures with Vlic Consulting — from small family clinics to nationwide general clinic chains.

500+Successful Cases
4.9Rating / 5
98%Satisfaction Rate
15+Years of Experience
"
★★★★★
Vlic provided very thorough advice from the first meeting, helping us identify the missing requirements regarding facilities and staff practice certificates. As a result, our dossier was approved by the Department of Health on the first submission, saving significant time and costs.
"
★★★★★
I am a doctor and wanted to open a private pediatric clinic. Vlic supported me from business registration and operation license dossier preparation to free notarization of all documents. The license was obtained on schedule with no additional costs.
"
★★★★★
At first, I submitted the dossier myself but it was returned due to missing fire safety certification and an incorrect technical scope template. Vlic helped correct and complete everything within two weeks. The second submission went smoothly, with no further requests from the Department of Health.

Frequently Asked
Questions

Practical situations clients often encounter when applying for licenses to open private general and specialty clinics.

Ask a Consultation Question →
Q1 How long does it take to obtain an operation license for a general or specialty clinic? +

The total time to complete the procedure is approximately 120 daysincluding: 5 days to obtain business registration for domestic enterprises; 25–30 days to obtain an Investment Registration Certificate for foreign investors; and approximately 90 days for the Department of Health to review the dossier and conduct an on-site clinic appraisal. Vlic provides a written timeline commitment.

Q2 What legal procedures are required to open a general clinic? +

A general clinic is a form of organization in the medical examination and treatment sector. To operate lawfully, you need to complete two main steps: (1) obtain business registration with the appropriate medical examination and treatment business code; (2) obtain the medical examination and treatment operation license (sub-license) from the Department of Health. In addition, you must complete obtaining fire prevention and fighting approval/certification and ensure a compliant medical waste treatment system.

Q3 Can foreign investors open a clinic in Vietnam? +

Yes. Foreign investors and foreign-invested enterprises may operate clinics in Vietnam, but must additionally complete the procedure to obtain an Investment Registration Certificate (IRC) at the Department of Planning and Investment (25–30 days) before proceeding with the medical operation licensing steps at the Department of Health (approximately 90 days). Vlic supports the entire process for foreign investors.

Q4 Are the dossiers and procedures for opening a private clinic complicated? +

The procedure for opening a private clinic includes two main steps and several concurrent procedures such as obtaining fire prevention and fighting approval, satisfying facility and medical equipment requirements, and collecting practice certificates for all personnel. If handled independently, it will take at least 5–6 months. Vlic helps shorten the timeline and ensures the dossier meets requirements on the first submission.

Q5 How much does Vlic’s clinic operation license service cost? +

The service fee for obtaining business and operation licenses for a private specialty or general clinic depends on each specific case — including the clinic type, location, number of registered specialties, and current dossier status. Vlic provides free consultation and a detailed, transparent quotation before contract signing. Contact us to receive a quotation today.

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