Vietnam Ministry of Health Abolishes 14 Administrative Procedures in Disease Prevention Starting July 2026

The Ministry of Health will officially abolish 14 administrative procedures in the field of disease prevention starting July 1, 2026. This decision aims to implement Government Resolution 21/2026/NQ-CP, which focuses on decentralizing administrative authority and refining business conditions in the medical sector, alongside Decree 165/2026/ND-CP regarding the Law on Infectious Disease Prevention.

Did You Know? The upcoming changes specifically target a wide range of operational requirements, including the importation of pathogenic samples and the certification of facilities handling HIV confirmation tests and opioid substitution therapy.

Why these administrative procedures are being removed

The removal of these 14 procedures is part of a broader government initiative to streamline medical oversight. According to the Ministry of Health, the move is designed to align current practices with the stipulations set forth in Resolution 21/2026/NQ-CP and Decree 165/2026/ND-CP. By eliminating these specific administrative hurdles, the government intends to decentralize the management of disease prevention activities, shifting responsibilities to provincial-level medical agencies or simplifying the requirements for health facilities.

Expert Insight: Samantha Carter notes that this shift represents a significant move toward reducing the bureaucratic footprint on specialized medical facilities. By removing the need for central ministerial intervention in routine facility certifications—such as those for Level 1 and 2 biosafety labs—the health sector could experience faster operational timelines and clearer, more localized regulatory pathways.

Impact on laboratory and treatment facilities

Facilities currently managing sensitive medical activities will see the most direct impact. The abolished procedures include the issuance of permits for importing pathogenic samples and various certifications for biological safety labs. Furthermore, administrative requirements for HIV testing facilities—including the initial designation, adjustment of status, and re-issuance of certificates—are being removed to facilitate more efficient testing operations.

The reform also extends to public health services. Facilities providing vaccination services and those offering opioid substitution therapy for substance addiction will no longer need to navigate the previously mandated administrative procedures for qualification announcements and document cancellations. These changes shift the focus from centralized administrative approval to adherence to the standards defined in the new decrees.

What may happen next

Following the July 1, 2026, implementation date, stakeholders expect a period of transition as provincial health departments assume the roles previously managed by the Ministry of Health. It is likely that medical facilities will see a reduction in the time spent on document preparation, provided they align their operations with the requirements of Decree 165/2026/ND-CP. Analysts expect that this decentralization may improve the responsiveness of local health authorities, though the success of the transition will depend on the readiness of provincial agencies to manage these newly delegated responsibilities.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which specific HIV-related procedures are being abolished?
The Ministry of Health is removing procedures related to the designation of HIV confirmation testing facilities, adjustments to those designations, and the initial issuance, re-issuance, and adjustment of certificates for facilities meeting HIV testing standards.

Are biosafety lab certifications still required?
While the specific administrative procedures for announcing Level 1 and 2 biosafety facilities and the issuance/re-issuance of Level 3 certificates are being abolished, facilities must still operate in accordance with the Law on Infectious Disease Prevention and the guidance provided in Decree 165/2026/ND-CP.

When do these changes take effect?
These 14 administrative procedures will be officially abolished nationwide starting July 1, 2026.

How will your local medical facility adapt to these changes in administrative oversight?