Vietnam

Medical Device Registration in Vietnam

Government Authority

Medical Device product registration in Vietnam is overseen by the Department of Medical Equipment and Construction (DMEC), under the Ministry of Health (MOH). Registration requirements for medical devices in Vietnam are currently in a state of transition.

New rules governing the registration of medical devices were published on November 8, 2021 with Decree No. 98/2021. This new Decree overrules previous Decree No. 36/2016/ND-CP as amended with Decree No. 169/2018/ND-CP and Decree No. 03/2020/ND-CP. Implementation for the new rules will begin January 1, 2022 with a 1-year transition period for documentation and some Class C and D products.

Important Medical Device Regulations

Decree No. 98/2021/ND-CP – effective Jan 1, 2022

Circular No. 30/2015/TT-BYT – effective since 2015 and will transition out by Dec 31. 2022

Decree No. 36/2016/ND-CP–effective Jan 1, 2020 and now overruled by Decree 98/2021

Decree No. 169/2018/ND-CP – amended Decree 36 adds fast track approval; and CSDT requirement (now overruled by Decree 98/2021)

Decree No. 03/2020/ND-CP – amended Decree 36 details implementation process of new Rules (now overruled by Decree 98/2021)

Decree No. 111/2021 – Amends Decree No. 43/2017 and Updates Labeling requirements

Medical Device Status

In Vietnam, Medical devices are any equipment, tools, materials and chemicals, necessary software, used alone or in combination that aim to prevent, examine, diagnose and/or mitigate illness or check, replace, modify or offer surgical support during examinations and treatment.

Under new rules, Software is considered a medical device but not regulated.

Product Classification

Vietnam closely follows GHTF guidelines for medical device classification with Class A, B, C and D devices, ranging from low to high risk. Previously, medical device risk classification in Vietnam had to be determined by a locally certified organization or person but under the new regulations, the Registration Holder can classify the product as part of the application.

	DMEC Fees / MA Licenses	Review Time
Class A	VND 1 million US$43	Immediate
Class B	VND 3 million US$130	Immediate
Class C	VND 5 million US$216	10 to 90 days
Class D	VND 5 million US$216	10 to 90 days

Asia Actual’s new tool for RA professionals, R.O.S.E., can help identify Same-Type devices (aka Predicate Devices) and their classification. Click here to learn more.

Regulatory Pathway in Vietnam

The first step toward regulatory compliance in Vietnam is to classify the product in accordance with its intended use and risk level. Under the previous regulations, the classification needed to be performed by a certified Classification Agent but under the new rules, the Registration Holder is permitted to classify the product.

Beginning January 1, 2022, all Class A and B products will require a Market Authorization (MA) License. Class A and B devices will undergo a quick administrative review by the Health Department of the province where the Registration Holder is located. The registration number will be issued immediately and significantly reduces the review time for Class B devices from 60 days.

Class C and D devices listed in Circular 30/2015 required an Import License prior to January 1, 2022 and will now need to apply for a Market Authorization (MA) license. Existing Import Licenses will expire December 31, 2022 while MA licenses will remain valid indefinitely. A full list of products found in Circular 30/2015 can be found further below and include ventilators, infant incubators, pacemakers, x-ray machines, MRIs, hemodialysis devices, etc.

Class C and D devices not listed in Circular 30 can continue to be freely imported through December 31, 2022 with only a classification document. This being said, manufacturers of these products are encouraged to obtain a MA License at their earliest convenience.

Regulatory Requirements for New Medical Devices

Class A and B devices are subject to a Notification process that is overseen by the provincial offices of the MOH. By handling these administrative reviews, the central MOH has more time to focus on Class C and D applications. Class C and D applications without a Reference Country approval or national standards will need to undergo a Technical Review which could take up to 90 days. Products with a Reference Country approval or the same national standards will avoid the Technical Review and should be approved in about 10 working days.

Applications will continue to require the same documentation as Import Licenses and MA Licenses for Class A until January 1, 2023. Beginning in 2023, Common Submission Dossier Template (CSDT) will be required for all applications.

The application current application requirements consist of administrative documents only (no technical file). Documentation for all Class devices may be submitted in Vietnamese or English until January 1, 2023. Some documents like the IFU and Technical Summary will need to be in Vietnamese while others like the Letter of Authorization will need to be Legalized.

MA Licenses do not expire under the new Decree.

Vietnam has special labeling requirements for registered medical devices including the registration number and License Holder contract information. Complaint labeling may be affixed after Customs clearance.

Exemptions from the registration process are made for products used for RUO, testing, training, repair, exhibition, or donated devices

Quality Systems Conformity Assessment

A Quality Systems Conformity Assessment is required for Class B, C and D devices and can be demonstrated with an ISO 13485:2016.

Expedited Review for Reference Country Approval

The MOH has also updated the expedited review process for medical devices with at least 1 Reference Country approval, which includes the USA, Canada, Europe, Japan, or Australia. As part of 98/2021, the MOH extended acceptable Reference Country approval to China’s NMPA and Korea’s MFDS. Products with an approval from at least one of these markets will still need to submit the required documentation (technical summary, label, IFU, brochure until Dec. 31, 2022, then CSDT) but will not undergo a technical dossier evaluation which intends to shorten the wait time from 60 working days to 10.

Additionally, to help manufacturers already on the market make a smooth transition to MA licenses, the MOH will also allow waive technical reviews for Class C and D for products with an Import License.

Reference Countries

Australia – Canada – European Union – Japan – United States – China – Korea

Validity and Renewal

Once issued, an MA License does not expire. All Import Licenses expire on December 31, 2022.

License Holder Requirements

Medical device manufacturers must appoint, and grant Power-of-Attorney to a local, registered company in Vietnam to submit registration applications and act as the Registration Holder. Under the new regulations, Registration Holders can authorize an unlimited number of distributors to import under the MA License, as well as participate in public tenders.

David Vo, General Manger, Asia Actual Vietnam

David’s Regulatory Hint

“While the new medical device regulations are transitioning, it can be difficult to understand what requirements apply when. We can help.”

Contact Us

US: +1 512 898-9222
SG: +65 3138-4148
EMAIL: VietNam@asiaactual.com

Frequently Asked Questions

Who can submit submit applications in Vietnam?

A local entity must submit applications, hold the license, and correspond with the Ministry of Health. License Holders can then authorize an unlimited number of importers or distributors.

How are products classified in Vietnam?

Medical devices are classified into 4 categories according to GHTF guidelines; from low-risk Class A to high-risk Class D.

How long does it take to register my medical device in Vietnam?

Class A and B are immediately listed and Class C and D applications require 30 to 60 days.

How much does it cost to register my device in Vietnam?

Class A fees are about US$45 and Class D are about US$220.

How long are medical device licenses valid in Vietnam?

Medical device licenses do not expire in Vietnam.

Does the license holder need to be a part of the importing process?

No, license holders can authorize multiple importers to import under one license.

Is there an expedited review pathway?

Yes, Class C and D products approved by a reference country will be reviewed in half the time. Reference Countries in Vietnam include: USA, Canada, Europe (incl. UK and Switzerland), Australia, Japan, China, and South Korea.

Is ISO 13485 required for medical devices in Vietnam?

Yes, ISO 13485 is required for registration in Vietnam.

Is Home Country approval required?

No, there are no requirements for home country approval. Reference country approval will significantly improve the review time.

Do documents need to be translated to Vietnamese as part of the application process?

Yes, some application documents will need to be translated including the Instructions for Use (IFU) and the labeling.

Benefits of Independent License Holding through Asia Actual

Under the new Vietnamese regulations, manufacturers can use 1 License Holder that can then authorize an unlimited number of local distributors that can then import directly and participate in tenders.

Sell directly to multiple regional distributors, avoiding mark-up by a national importer
Increase transfer pricing
Centralize public pricing strategy
Improve leverage in distributor negotiations/responses
Add or change distributors as required
Keep intellectual property away from local commercial agents
Assure expert handling of post market vigilance and license maintenance

Contact Asia Actual for a free consultation discussing the potential for your medical device or IVD in the Vietnamese market. Asia Actual is available to help navigate the complex medical device registration requirements and regulatory pathway for medical device and IVD distribution in Vietnam.