Vietnam’s dental sector has seen strong growth, attracting significant foreign investment including from US dental practitioners and investors. Establishing a US-owned dental clinic in Vietnam involves navigating both foreign investment law and the specialized healthcare licensing framework under Decree 96/2023/ND-CP, which implements the Law on Medical Examination and Treatment 2023.
This guide provides a comprehensive, step-by-step overview of the dental clinic licensing procedure for US investors and dentist-owners who those looking to invest through the establishment of an enonomic organization.
Phase 1: Company Registration and Investment Approval
A US investor (individual or entity) wishing to own a direct dental clinic in Vietnam must first establish a foreign-invested enterprise. The process involves: You can choose to get IRC first and then ERC, or get ERC first and then IRC.
- Your can choose applying for an Investment Registration Certificate (IRC) from the provincial Department of Finance first and then registering a limited liability company (LLC) or joint-stock company under the Law on Enterprises, obtaining an Enterprise Registration Certificate (ERC) or get ERC first and then IRC.
The company must have a minimum charter capital appropriate to the scale of its planned operations. According to Vietnam’s WTO Commitments on Services, the specific minimum capital amount required for dental clinics is US$200,000, investors should be prepared to document that they have such sufficient capital to cover setup and operating costs in advance.
Phase 2: Healthcare Operating License (Giay Phep Hoat Dong)
Following company registration, the dental clinic must obtain a healthcare operating license from provincial Department of Health.
Under Decree 96/2023/ND-CP, a dental clinic (phong kham rang ham mat) is classified as a specialty outpatient clinic and is subject to the requirements of Article 47:
- Fixed location complying with load-bearing safety (Construction Law 2014), fire protection and prevention (Decree 105/2025/ND-CP), infection control (Decision 5991/QD-BYT), environmental protection, and radiation safety (Circular 59/2025/TT-BKHCN) regulations
- Reception area and examination room of at least 10 m2;
- Minimum one dental chair, with at least 5 m2 of floor area per dental chair;
- If implant procedures are offered: a dedicated implant room of at least 10 m2;
- Anaphylaxis emergency kit and specialty-appropriate emergency medications;
- Appropriate signage and layout documentation.
Phase 3: Appointing the Responsible Clinical Director
Every dental clinic in Vietnam must designate a responsible clinical director (nguoi chiu trach nhiem chuyen mon ky thuat). Under Article 47 of Decree 96/2023/ND-CP, this person must:
- Hold a valid Vietnamese medical practice license with a scope of practice covering dentistry (rang ham mat) or dental specialty;
- Be present at the clinic during operating hours;
- Not serve as responsible director at more than one additional healthcare facility;
- Must have at least 36 months of experience in medical practice.
For US dentist-investors who hold US dental licenses, they must first complete credential recognition (under Article 29 of the 2023 Law) and obtain a Vietnamese dental practice license before they can serve as responsible director. During the period before their Vietnamese license is issued, the clinic may appoint a locally licensed Vietnamese dentist as interim responsible director.
Phase 4: Dossier Submission and DOH Review
The operating license application dossier for a US-owned dental clinic includes:
- Application form (Form No. 02, Appendix II of Decree 96/2023/ND-CP);
- Copy of IRC and ERC;
- Copy of the responsible director’s Vietnamese practice license;
- Declaration of facility infrastructure, equipment, and staffing (Form No. 08);
- List of all licensed practitioners at the clinic (Form No. 01);
- Proposed clinical service scope;
- Fire safety compliance documentation;
- Radiation safety permit (if X-ray equipment is used);
- Infection control protocol documentation.
The competent authority reviews the dossier and, if complete, may conduct an on-site inspection before issuing the license.
Phase 5: Additional Regulatory Compliance
After receiving the operating license, US-owned dental clinics in Vietnam must maintain ongoing compliance with:
- Annual reporting to the Department of Health;
- Infection control audits;
- Radiation safety compliance (if X-ray equipment is operated);
- Fire safety certificate renewals;
- Vietnamese practice license renewals for all clinical staff;
- Work permit renewals for foreign employees;
- Vietnamese labor law compliance for all staff;
- Corporate income tax, VAT, and personal income tax obligations.
Conclusion
Licensing a US-owned dental clinic in Vietnam is a multi-phase process involving company formation, healthcare facility licensing, practitioner credentialing, and ongoing regulatory compliance. With the right legal support, the process is achievable within 4–8 months from initial investment to clinic opening. TTVN Legal provides end-to-end legal services for US dental investors establishing compliant clinics in Vietnam.
Ready to invest in Vietnam’s dental sector? TTVN Legal provides end-to-end legal support. 101 Nguyen Van Thu, Tan Dinh Ward, Ho Chi Minh City | +84 349661336 | tham@ttvnlegal.com.vn | https://ttvnlegal.com.vn/
