On the morning of 12 September 2025 in Ho Chi Minh City, the Department of Health, in collaboration with the Investment and Trade Promotion Centre (ITPC), organised a business dialogue in the healthcare sector. Members of EuroCham’s Medical Devices & Diagnostics Sector Committee (MDDSC) and the Cosmetics Sector Committee attended to contribute comments from the business perspective.
Esteemed participants included:
- Dr. Nguyen Hong Chuong, Deputy Director of Ho Chi Minh City Department of Health
- Ms. Cao Thi Phi Van, Vice President at Investment and Trade Promotion Center
- Mrs. Nguyen Thi Thu Hang, Deputy Director of Ho Chi Minh City Social Security
- Specialists from Department of Health, Department of Finance
At the meeting, the Department of Health provided updates on the city’s healthcare system following the recent administrative restructuring, along with the implementation of new regulations. EuroCham raised two key concerns:
1. Medical Devices & Diagnostics Sector
Concern: EuroCham MDDSC representatives highlighted that hospitals require a Certificate of Origin (C/O) for each shipment, which goes beyond regulations, creating unnecessary costs, delays, and in some cases is unfeasible. EuroCham proposed accepting product-level C/O or a supplier’s written commitment, supported by customs and invoice documents if needed.
Response: The Department of Health acknowledged this issue and confirmed that requiring C/O for each shipment is not in line with existing rules. The Department committed to work with hospitals to provide clear guidance.
2. Cosmetics Sector
Concern: Delays in implementing Circular 34/2025/TT-BYT on online procedures were highlighted, as companies are still required to submit hard copies. Additional issues with the Public Service Portal include repeated dossier resubmissions when applications are rejected and certain technical errors. EuroCham recommended enabling fully online submissions, updating the system to allow dossier amendments, and permitting companies to supplement dossiers instead of resubmitting in full. This would reduce the administrative burden for both businesses and the Department of Health.
Response: The Department of Health clarified that companies may choose between online and offline submission for now. The Department is also proposing to the People’s Committee to add a dedicated online tool to the portal. On dossier resubmission, the Department agreed that enterprises should only be required to consolidate and amend dossiers once and confirmed that IT tools to support this are being developed in coordination with the IT Center and VNPT.
The dialogue concluded with a mutual commitment to continued cooperation between authorities and enterprises to address these regulatory challenges and support the healthcare sector’s development.
Inteterested in joining EuroCham’s Medical Devices & Diagnostics Sector Committee (MDDSC) and Cosmetics Sector Committee? Please contact Mr. Trung Luong at trung.luong@eurochamvn.org.
