The answer is yes, but only under the conditions prescribed by Vietnamese law.
Clause 7, Article 11 of Circular No. 32/2023/TT-BYT, which details certain provisions of the Law on Medical Examination and Treatment, defines the professional scope of practice for nurses. Among the technical procedures that fall within a nurse’s scope of practice are several cosmetic injectable techniques, including:
Technique No. 638: Botox injection for wrinkle reduction in the forehead area.
Technique No. 639: Botox injection for jawline contouring.
Technique No. 640: Botox injection for facial wrinkle reduction.
Technique No. 641: Dermal filler injection for wrinkle reduction in the forehead area.
Technique No. 642: Dermal filler injection for nose bridge augmentation.
Technique No. 643: Dermal filler injection for facial wrinkle reduction.
These procedures are specifically recognized within the nursing scope of practice. However, nurses are NOT automatically authorized to perform them solely by virtue of being registered nurses.
Under Circular 32/2023/TT-BYT, these techniques MUST be prescribed by a doctor. Once a valid medical prescription has been issued, the procedures may be performed independently by a nurse who satisfies the applicable professional qualification requirements.
The nurse performing the procedure must either:
possess a specialized qualification in the relevant field; or
hold a university degree in nursing (or higher) and have completed additional training in the specific specialized technique.
Accordingly, Vietnamese law expressly permits qualified nurses to independently perform certain Botox and dermal filler injections after a doctor has prescribed the procedure and provided the nurse meets the required educational and technical competency standards.
It is also important to distinguish between performing a cosmetic injectable procedure and independently practicing aesthetic medicine. While Circular 32/2023/TT-BYT authorizes qualified nurses to carry out these specified techniques within their professional scope, all procedures must still be provided in compliance with the Law on Medical Examination and Treatment, the licensing requirements applicable to healthcare facilities, and other relevant regulations governing cosmetic medical services.