Context & Official Legal Basis for the Vietnam Work Permit Health Check
If you are preparing a Vietnam work permit application, you have probably already discovered that the health check is one of the most misunderstood and commonly botched steps in the entire process. Expats routinely assume that any medical certificate from their home country will suffice, or that a quick walk-in clinic visit in Vietnam will produce an acceptable document. The result is a rejected dossier, a lost work permit, and weeks of delay while you scramble to redo the examination. This guide explains exactly what the health check involves, which hospitals are approved, what the medical form looks like, and how to avoid the mistakes that cause applications to fail. The information is based on Decree No. 219/2025/ND-CP, which took effect on August 7, 2025, and Circular No. 32/2023/TT-BYT issued by the Ministry of Health, which sets the current health examination standards.
What the Law Requires for a Work Permit Health Certificate
The health certificate is one of the mandatory documents in a Vietnam work permit application. Under Article 8 of Decree No. 219/2025/ND-CP, the application dossier must include a health certificate issued by a qualified medical examination and treatment establishment. This requirement is not merely administrative. It confirms that you are medically fit to perform the work you have been hired to do in Vietnam, and it protects both you and your employer from workplace health and safety risks.
There are two distinct pathways for the health certificate:
- Health certificate issued in Vietnam: The examination must be conducted at a medical facility that satisfies the conditions set by the Ministry of Health. These facilities are listed in Official Dispatch No. 143/KCB-PHCN&GĐ, which is updated periodically by the Ministry of Health.
- Health certificate issued abroad: Under the new rules in Decree 219, a health certificate issued by a competent foreign medical facility may be used only if Vietnam and the issuing country or territory have a treaty or agreement on mutual recognition. The certificate must also be valid for no more than 12 months from the date of issuance. This is a significant change from the previous rules, under which a foreign health certificate merely needed consular legalization to be accepted.
Approved Hospitals for Work Permit Health Checks in Vietnam
Not all medical facilities in Vietnam are authorized to issue health certificates for work permit purposes. You must go to a facility that appears on the Ministry of Health’s approved list, which is maintained under Official Dispatch No. 143/KCB-PHCN&GĐ. Below is a list of authorized hospitals in major cities as of 2026.
Hanoi
- E Hospital (Bệnh viện E)
- Saint Paul General Hospital (Bệnh viện Đa khoa Xanh Pôn)
- Duc Giang General Hospital (Bệnh viện Đa khoa Đức Giang)
- Dong Da General Hospital (Bệnh viện Đa khoa Đống Đa)
- Hoe Nhai General Hospital (Bệnh viện Đa khoa Hòe Nhai)
- Hanoi French Hospital (Bệnh viện Việt Pháp Hà Nội)
- Hong Ngoc General Hospital (Bệnh viện Đa khoa tư nhân Hồng Ngọc)
- Thu Cuc International General Hospital (Bệnh viện Đa khoa Quốc tế Thu Cúc)
- Trang An General Hospital (Bệnh viện Đa khoa tư nhân Tràng An)
- Hanoi General Hospital (Bệnh viện Đa khoa tư nhân Hà Nội)
- Vietlife General Clinic (Phòng khám Đa khoa Vietlife)
- Dr. Binh TeleClinic (Phòng khám Đa khoa Dr. Binh TeleClinic)
- Bach Mai Hospital (Bệnh viện Bạch Mai)
Ho Chi Minh City
- 115 People’s Hospital (Bệnh viện Nhân dân 115)
- Trung Vuong Hospital (Bệnh viện Trưng Vương)
- Hospital of Thu Duc District (Bệnh viện quận Thủ Đức)
- Van Hanh General Hospital (Bệnh viện Đa khoa Vạn Hạnh)
- An Sinh General Hospital (Bệnh viện Đa khoa An Sinh)
- Cho Ray Hospital (Bệnh viện Chợ Rẫy)
- FV Hospital (Bệnh viện FV)
- Saigon Columbia Asia International Clinic (Phòng khám Quốc tế Columbia Asia Sài Gòn)
Understanding the Medical Form (Mẫu số 01 under Circular 32/2023/TT-BYT)
The health certificate form used for work permit applications is prescribed under Circular No. 32/2023/TT-BYT, which took effect on January 1, 2024. The form is categorized into two groups according to age:
- Form No. 01 (Mẫu số 01): For applicants aged 18 and above. This is the form you will use.
- Form No. 02 (Mẫu số 02): For applicants under 18 years old.
The form must be accompanied by one passport-style photo (4x6 cm, white background, taken within the last six months) affixed to the certificate. The examination itself covers several categories:
- Physical examination: Height, weight, BMI calculation, pulse rate, blood pressure, and general physical assessment.
- Clinical examination: General internal medicine review covering the respiratory, circulatory, digestive, musculoskeletal, neurological, psychiatric, and urinary systems. This also includes surgery, gynecology (for female applicants), ophthalmology, otorhinolaryngology, stomatology, and dermatology.
- Paraclinical examination: Blood biochemistry, urinalysis, chest X-ray, and other tests as deemed necessary by the examining physician.
Qualifications of the Examining Physician and Interpreter Requirements
Circular 32/2023/TT-BYT sets strict qualifications for the physicians who conduct health examinations for foreign workers. Understanding these requirements helps you verify that the hospital you choose is fully compliant.
- For clinical and paraclinical examiners: The physician must hold a medical practice certificate corresponding to the specialty assigned and must be a specialist level I or a master of medicine or above.
- For the physician making the final conclusion: The physician must hold a medical practice certificate, have at least 54 months of medical practice experience, and must be assigned by the authorized person of the medical examination facility to sign health certificates. They must also be a specialist level I or a master of medicine or above.
- Interpreter requirement: If you and the examining physician do not share a common language, a certified interpreter with sufficient qualifications must be present during the examination to ensure accurate communication. This is particularly important if you do not speak Vietnamese.
Copyable Template: Authorization Letter for Health Check Appointment
If you are unable to schedule your health check appointment in person, you may authorize a representative to do so on your behalf. Below is a copyable template. Replace all bracketed placeholders with your actual information.
SOCIALIST REPUBLIC OF VIETNAM
Independence - Freedom - Happiness
--------o0o-------- [Date: DD/MM/YYYY] LETTER OF AUTHORIZATION FOR HEALTH CHECK APPOINTMENT To: [Hospital Name]
[Hospital Address] I, the undersigned: Full Name: [Applicant Full Name]
Passport Number: [Passport Number]
Nationality: [Nationality]
Date of Birth: [DD/MM/YYYY]
Address in Vietnam: [Full Address]
Phone: [Phone Number]
Email: [Email Address] Hereby authorize: Full Name: [Authorized Person Full Name]
Identification Number: [ID/Passport Number]
Relationship to Applicant: [Relationship]
Address: [Full Address]
Phone: [Phone Number] To schedule a work permit health check appointment on my behalf at [Hospital Name] and to receive any related information regarding the appointment date, time, and preparation instructions. I confirm that I take full responsibility for the actions of the authorized person in relation to this authorization. Respectfully, [Signature of Applicant]
[Full Name]
[Passport Number]
Step-by-Step Procedure for the Work Permit Health Check
- Step 1: Choose an approved hospital. Select a hospital from the Ministry of Health’s approved list in your city. Confirm with the hospital that they issue health certificates using Form No. 01 under Circular 32/2023/TT-BYT for work permit purposes.
- Step 2: Book an appointment. Most approved hospitals require advance booking. Call the hospital or use their online booking system. Inform them that you need a work permit health check under Circular 32/2023/TT-BYT.
- Step 3: Prepare your documents. Bring your original passport or ID card (or VNeID app if verified at Level 2) and two 4x6 cm white background photos taken within the last 6 months. One photo will be affixed to the health certificate.
- Step 4: Attend the examination. On the day of your appointment, avoid eating for at least 8 hours before the check-up if fasting blood tests are required. You may drink plain water, but do not consume milk, coffee, or caffeinated beverages. Inform the doctor if you have any metal implants or medical devices.
- Step 5: Complete the clinical and paraclinical examinations. The physician will conduct a general physical examination and prescribe the necessary tests and diagnostic imaging based on the work permit health check package.
- Step 6: Receive your health certificate. After the examination and test results are available, the authorized physician will complete and sign your health certificate using Form No. 01. Collect the certificate and verify that all fields are completed correctly.
- Step 7: Include the certificate in your work permit dossier. Submit the health certificate as part of your work permit application. Remember that the certificate is valid for 12 months from the date of issuance. If your work permit application is submitted more than 12 months after the health check date, the certificate will no longer be valid.
Common Mistakes & Rejection Warnings
- Using a foreign health certificate without verifying mutual recognition. Under Decree 219/2025/ND-CP, a foreign health certificate is accepted only if Vietnam has a mutual recognition treaty or agreement with the issuing country. Consular legalization alone is not sufficient. Unless you are certain your country qualifies, get the health check done in Vietnam.
- Using an outdated medical form. The form must be Form No. 01 under Circular 32/2023/TT-BYT. Older templates will be rejected.
- Expired health certificate. The certificate is valid for 12 months from the date of issuance. If your work permit application is submitted after this period, the certificate is no longer valid and you must undergo a new health check.
- Incorrect photo specification. The photo must be 4x6 cm, white background, taken within the last 6 months. Photos that do not meet these specifications may cause the certificate to be rejected.
- Insufficient fasting before the examination. If your package includes blood tests, you must fast for at least 8 hours before the check-up. Eating beforehand can affect your test results and require a repeat visit.
- Not confirming the hospital’s approved status. Some clinics may offer health check services but are not on the Ministry of Health’s approved list for work permit health certificates. Always confirm the hospital is authorized before booking.
Official Processing Time, Fees & Submission Locations
Processing Time
- Health check examination and certificate issuance: Typically completed within 1 to 2 working days, depending on the hospital and the tests required.
- Validity of certificate: 12 months from the date of issuance.
Estimated Costs
Health check package prices vary by hospital and by the scope of the examination. As a reference, the Hanoi French Hospital offers a basic work permit package at 3,150,000 VND and an advanced package at 6,990,000 VND. Other hospitals may charge different amounts. Always verify the current fee directly with the hospital before booking, as prices are subject to change.
Submission Locations
The health check itself is conducted at the approved hospital of your choice. The resulting health certificate is then included in your work permit application dossier, which is submitted by your employer at the provincial Department of Home Affairs or the Industrial/Economic Zone Authority.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1: Can I use a health certificate issued in my home country for a Vietnam work permit?
A: Under Decree No. 219/2025/ND-CP, a health certificate issued by a competent foreign medical facility is accepted only if Vietnam and the issuing country or territory have a treaty or agreement on mutual recognition. The certificate must also be valid for no more than 12 months from the date of issuance. Consular legalization alone is not sufficient. Unless you are certain your country has a mutual recognition agreement with Vietnam, it is safest to undergo the health check in Vietnam.
Q2: What is the medical form required for a work permit health check in Vietnam?
A: The required form is Form No. 01 under Circular 32/2023/TT-BYT, issued by the Ministry of Health. This form is for applicants aged 18 and above. Applicants under 18 use Form No. 02. The form must have one 4x6 cm white background photo affixed to it.
Q3: How long is a work permit health certificate valid in Vietnam?
A: A health certificate for a work permit application is valid for 12 months from the date of issuance. If your work permit application is submitted after this period, you must undergo a new health check.
Q4: Which hospitals in Hanoi are approved for work permit health checks?
A: Approved hospitals in Hanoi include E Hospital, Saint Paul General Hospital, Duc Giang General Hospital, Dong Da General Hospital, Hoe Nhai General Hospital, Hanoi French Hospital, Hong Ngoc General Hospital, Thu Cuc International General Hospital, Trang An General Hospital, Hanoi General Hospital, Vietlife General Clinic, Dr. Binh TeleClinic, and Bach Mai Hospital.
Q5: What should I bring to my work permit health check appointment?
A: You should bring your original passport or ID card (or the VNeID app if verified at Level 2) and two 4x6 cm white background photos taken within the last 6 months. If your package includes blood tests, fast for at least 8 hours before the appointment. Inform the doctor if you have any metal implants or medical devices.