Complete guide to medical examinations for foreign work permits in Vietnam

You need a health certificate for foreigners when applying for a Vietnam work permit. This certificate is a must for anyone planning to work in Vietnam for over six months. Without it, the authorities won’t process your work permit or long-term visa application. The medical examination for foreigners working in Vietnam includes several tests like physical exams, blood tests, urine tests, ECG, and screening for infectious diseases. You can only get these check-ups at medical facilities approved by Vietnam’s Ministry of Health. Once issued, your certificate stays valid for 12 months.

This guide explains everything about getting a health certificate for foreigners for your Vietnam work permit: health requirements, how long the certificate lasts, where to get tested in major cities, what tests you need, things to know before your exam, and how much it costs. Whether you’re applying for your first work permit or renewing one, knowing these medical examinations for foreigners working in Vietnam helps you deal with Vietnam’s work rules smoothly and avoid delays in getting your work authorization.

What health certificate requirements do you need for a work permit?

To work in Vietnam, you need to show you’re healthy enough to do your job. This is one of the four main things you need for a work permit under Vietnam’s labor laws.

Your medical check-up is only valid when a doctor confirms you’re fit to work.

SituationsFeatures
Have a health certificate for foreigners from another country– It can be accepted if Vietnam has an agreement with that country.
– The certificate must be less than 6 months old, translated into Vietnamese, certified, and legally stamped.
Get your check-up in Vietnam– Must go to a medical facility approved under health regulations.
– These places are checked regularly by the Department of Health

>> Depending on your role in the company, there may be different specific requirements for your work permit application. For more details, you can refer to our guides for work permit for directors or work permit for managers to understand the complete documentation needed.

Your health certificate for foreigners won’t be accepted if you get it from a clinic that isn’t on the Department of Health’s approved list.

Health examination form for foreign workers in Vietnam
Health examination form for foreign workers in Vietnam

How long is your medical certificate valid for a work permit?

Health certificates for foreigners from approved Vietnamese healthcare places are valid for 12 months from when the doctor signs off to when you submit your work permit application.

Before your certificate expires, you need to get a new medical examination for foreigners working in Vietnam. You must go to an approved medical facility and follow the same steps as before. Your new certificate will replace the old one and be valid for the same amount of time.

>> If you’re a technical professional coming to Vietnam, you should also check our guide on Vietnam work permit for technical workers as there are specific qualification requirements in addition to health checks.

Where can you get a medical check-up for your work permit?

You can choose from 3 types of healthcare providers for your health certificate for foreigners.

  • Public hospitals
  • International hospitals
  • Approved general clinics
  • They are common and have experienced staff.
  • They’re usually affordable with clear pricing.
  • However, you might face long waits, complex procedures, and language barriers.
  • Offer better service with staff who speak different languages, modern equipment, simpler procedures, and shorter waits.
  • But they cost much more than public hospitals.
  • Often have simple procedures, flexible schedules, and reasonable prices.
  • They’re smaller but still do all the required tests for a medical examination for foreigners working in Vietnam.

>> The location where you’ll be working affects where you should get your medical examination. If you’re planning to work in provinces near Ho Chi Minh City, check out specific requirements for a work permit in Binh Duong or a work permit in Dong Nai as these industrial provinces may have their own preferred hospitals.

Need help finding the right medical facility for your work permit? VisaNow can guide you through the process and recommend suitable options based on your location and needs. Contact our HOTLINE at 1900 63 63 50 for personal assistance.

Below is a list of healthcare facilities approved by the Department of Health for medical check-ups for foreigners in Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi.

  • Authorized hospitals for work permit medical examinations in Ho Chi Minh City
  • Approved medical centers for work permit check-ups in Hanoi
No.AreaMedical facility nameAddress
1District 1Saigon General Hospital125 Le Loi Street, Ben Thanh Ward
2DYM Medical Center Vietnam Co., Ltd PolyclinicRoom B103, Basement 1, mPlaza Saigon Building, 39 Le Duan Street, Ben Thanh Ward
3District 3Yersin International Polyclinic – Branch of 3H Investment Joint Stock Company10 Truong Dinh Street, Vo Thi Sau Ward
4Vigor Health Joint Stock Company Polyclinic100-102-102A-104-106-108 Truong Dinh Street, Ward 9
5Diamond Medical Center – Branch 3 of Kim Cuong Quality of Life Co., Ltd179-181 Vo Thi Sau Street, Ward 7
6Bernard International Specialist Medical Center – Branch 1 of Bernard International Hospital Joint Stock Company201 Nam Ky Khoi Nghia Street, Vo Thi Sau Ward
7Scotts Healthcare Services Co., Ltd Polyclinic285B Dien Bien Phu Street, Vo Thi Sau Ward
8District 5Ho Chi Minh City University of Medicine and Pharmacy Hospital215 Hong Bang Street, Ward 11
9Nguyen Tri Phuong Hospital468 Nguyen Trai Street, Ward 8
10District 6Hoang Khang Medical Center Co., Ltd Polyclinic285 Ba Hom Street, Ward 13
11District 7FV Hospital6 Nguyen Luong Bang Street, Tan Phu Ward
12Tan Hung General Hospital871 Tran Xuan Soan Street, Tan Hung Ward
13Careplus International Polyclinic – Branch of CityClinic Vietnam Co., Ltd2nd Floor, Crescent Plaza Building, 105 Ton Dat Tien Street, Tan Phu Ward
14DYM Medical Center Vietnam Co., Ltd HCMC Branch PolyclinicRoom 3A01, 3A Floor, The Grace Building, 71 Hoang Van Thai Street, Quarter 1, Tan Phu Ward
15District 10Y Viet Joint Stock Company – University Medical Center Polyclinic 120-22 Duong Quang Trung Street, Ward 12
16Trung Vuong Hospital266 Ly Thuong Kiet Street, Ward 14
17Nhan Hau International Polyclinic522-524 Nguyen Chi Thanh Street, Ward 7
18People’s Hospital 115527 Su Van Hanh Street, Ward 12
19Phuoc An Medical Center Co., Ltd – Branch 2 on 3/2 Street686 3/2 Street, Ward 14
20Van Hanh General Hospital781/B1-B3-B5 Le Hong Phong Street, Ward 12
21District 11Multidisciplinary Clinic of Dai Phuoc Medical Company Limited829-829A 3/2 Street, Ward 7
22Binh Tan DistrictTimec International Polyclinic1st Floor, Block F-G Tecco Town Apartment Complex, 4449 Nguyen Cuu Phu Street, Tan Tao A Ward
23City International Hospital532A Kinh Duong Vuong Street, Binh Tri Dong Ward
24Gia An 115 Hospital5 Street 17A, Binh Tri Dong B Ward
25Binh Thanh DistrictBinh Thanh District Hospital112 A-B Dinh Tien Hoang Street, Ward 1
26Gia Dinh People’s Hospital1A No Trang Long Street, Ward 7
27Jio Health Polyclinic30 Nguyen Van Lac Street, Ward 19
28HCMC Family Medical Center – Clinic No. 291 Nguyen Huu Canh Street, Ward 22
29Sante Specialized Hospital11A Dinh Bo Linh Street, Ward 24
30Go Vap DistrictHong Duc III Hospital32/2 Thong Nhat Street, Ward 10
31Phu Nhuan DistrictAn Sinh General Hospital10 Tran Huy Lieu Street, Ward 12
32Hoan My Saigon General Hospital60-60A Phan Xich Long Street, Ward 1
33Tan Binh DistrictTam Anh General Hospital2B Pho Quang Street, Ward 2
34Golden Healthcare International Polyclinic37 Hoang Hoa Tham Street, Ward 13
35Hoan My Saigon Polyclinic4A Hoang Viet Street, Ward 4
36Bernard 2 International Polyclinic22 Phan Dinh Giot Street, Ward 2
37Thu Duc CityLe Van Thinh Hospital130 Le Van Thinh Street, Binh Trung Tay Ward
38Van Phuc City Hospital1 Street 10, Van Phuc 1 Residential Area, Quarter 5, Hiep Binh Phuoc Ward
39American International Hospital6 Bac Nam 3 Street, An Phu Ward
40Thu Duc City Hospital29 Phu Chau Street, Tam Phu Ward
41Victoria Healthcare Polyclinic37-39-41-43 Luong Dinh Cua Street, An Khanh Ward
42Cu Chi DistrictXuyen A General Hospital42 National Highway 22, Cho Hamlet, Tan Phu Trung Commune
No.AreaMedical Facility NameAddress
1Hoan Kiem DistrictHoe Nhai General Hospital36 Hoe Nhai, Nguyen Trung Truc Ward
2Hanoi Medical University Hospital1 Ton That Tung, Phuong Mai Ward
3Vietlife Medical Center14 Tran Binh Trong, Tran Hung Dao Ward
4Ba Dinh DistrictXanh Pon General Hospital12 Chu Van An, Dien Bien Ward
5Hong Ngoc Private General Hospital55 Yen Ninh, Truc Bach Ward
6Post Hospital285B Dien Bien Phu, Vo Thi Sau Ward
7Dong Da DistrictHospital E89 Tran Hung Dao, Nghia Tan Ward
8Dong Da General Hospital192 Nguyen Luong Bang, Quang Trung Ward
9Viet-Phap Hospital1 Phuong Mai, Phuong Mai Ward
10Transport Hospital52 Nguyen Chi Thanh, Lang Thuong Ward
11Aviation Medical Center49 Quang Trung, Quang Trung Ward
12Ha Thanh General Hospital61 Vu Thanh, O Cho Dua Ward
13Cau Giay DistrictThu Cuc International General Hospital6 Thuy Khue, Buoi Ward
14Hanoi Family Medical Center228 Trung Kinh, Yen Hoa Ward
15Hanoi National University Medical Center144 Xuan Thuy, Dich Vong Ward
16Hanoi-Tokyo International Medical Center10 Truong Cong Giai, Dich Vong Ward
17Tay Ho DistrictDr. Binh TeleClinic175 Xuan Dieu, Quang An Ward
18Mediatec Tay Ho Medical Center99 Trich Sai, Buoi Ward
19Thanh Xuan DistrictHanoi Private General Hospital29 Han Thuyen, Phuong Liet Ward
20Construction HospitalArea A1, Nguyen Quy Duc, Thanh Xuan Bac Ward
21Mining and Geology HospitalAlley 1 Phan Dinh Giot, Phuong Liet Ward
22Bac Tu Liem DistrictPhuong Dong General Hospital9 Pho Vien, Co Nhue 2 Ward
23Nam Tu Liem DistrictMy Dinh Medical Center8/11 Le Quang Dao, Me Tri Ward
24Long Bien DistrictDuc Giang General Hospital120 Ngo Gia Kham, Duc Giang Ward
25Bac Ha International Hospital137 Nguyen Van Cu, Ngoc Lam Ward
26Hai Ba Trung DistrictTrang An Private General Hospital59 Tran Quy Cap, Tran Hung Dao Ward
27Vinmec International Hospital458 Minh Khai, Vinh Tuy Ward
28Friendship Hospital1 Tran Khanh Du, Bach Dang Ward
29Hoang Mai DistrictThien Duc General Hospital69 Hoang Mai, Hoang Van Thu Ward

>> For those planning to work in the capital city, our guide on the work permit in Ha Noi provides detailed information on the application process specific to the northern region, including preferred medical facilities.

VisaNow: Work permit application services for foreign workers
VisaNow: Work permit application services for foreign workers

Required Health Tests for Work Permit Medical Examination

For your medical examination for foreigners working in Vietnam, you’ll need to do these tests.

  • Physical examination
  • Clinical examination
  • Laboratory tests
  • Height and weight measurement
  • BMI calculation
  • Pulse check and blood pressure measurement
  • General physical examination
  • General internal medicine check
  • General surgery examination
  • Specialty checks: ear-nose-throat, dental, skin
  • Gynecological examination (for women)
  • Complete blood count and blood chemistry tests
  • Malaria test
  • Syphilis test
  • HIV test
  • HBsAg test
  • Chest X-ray
  • Abdominal ultrasound
  • Electrocardiogram

>> For specific nationalities, there might be additional requirements or considerations. Check our guides for Vietnam work permit for Chinese, Vietnam work permit for Taiwanese, work permit for Japanese, or work permit for Koreans to understand any nationality-specific requirements.

4 important things to know about work permit medical examinations

Doctors who do your health check-up for foreigners must be specialists with proper qualifications and certificates.

Not all hospitals have staff who speak different languages. For example, FV Hospital in Ho Chi Minh City only serves people who speak English or French. Make sure to check if the hospital can accommodate your language needs before you go.

If you and the doctor don’t speak the same language, you’ll need a certified medical interpreter during your check-up.

Private hospitals usually cost more than public ones, and prices can change. It’s best to contact the hospital directly to ask about current fees.

>> If you’re in education or wellness fields, check our specialized guides for work permit for teaching English or work permit for Yoga teachers as these professions have specific requirements beyond the standard health checks.

How much does a medical examination for work permit cost in Vietnam?

The cost for a medical examination for foreigners working in Vietnam ranges from 500,000 to 4,000,000 VND depending on where you go. Here are some price examples:

AreaMedical facility nameAddressFee (VND)
Ho Chi Minh CityVigor Health Joint Stock Company Polyclinic100-102-102A-104-106-108 Truong Dinh Street, Ward 9, District 31.800.000
FV Hospital6 Nguyen Luong Bang Street, Tan Phu Ward, District 73.200.000 – 3.500.000
People’s Hospital 115527 Su Van Hanh Street, Ward 12, District 10from 1.000.000
Gia Dinh People’s Hospital1A No Trang Long Street, Ward 7, Binh Thanh Districtfrom 500.000
Hoan My Saigon General Hospital60-60A Phan Xich Long Street, Ward 1, Phu Nhuan District2.500.000 – 2.800.000
HanoiThu Cuc International General Hospital6 Thuy Khue, Buoi Ward, Cau Giay District1.300.000 – 1.500.000
Hong Ngoc Private General Hospital55 Yen Ninh, Truc Bach Ward, Ba Dinh District1.900.000 – 2.000.000
Viet-Phap Hospital1 Phuong Mai, Phuong Mai Ward, Dong Da District3.000.000

>> When budgeting for your work permit process, it’s important to consider all costs involved. Our guide on Vietnam work permit cost provides a comprehensive breakdown of all fees you might encounter, including the medical examination, application fees, and related expenses.

Getting a work permit can be complicated and take a lot of time. VisaNow can make it easier for you. We’ve helped over 500 businesses across Vietnam with more than 1,000 work permit applications. Our team knows exactly what to do and can save you time and stress. Call us at 1900 63 63 50 for help with your work permit process.

  • Our experts are ready to help with all your needs and follow all Vietnamese legal steps.
  • We keep your information safe and private.
  • We help prepare all the needed documents for foreign workers.

I’ve shared detailed information about medical examinations for foreigners working in Vietnam. For help with work permit procedures, contact our HOTLINE at 1900 63 63 50. Why choose VisaNow? We’re always ready to support you and provide the best solutions for your business.