Decree 165/2026/ND-CP guiding implementation of Law on Disease Prevention

DECREE

Detailing and guiding the implementation of a number of articles of the Law on Disease Prevention

Pursuant to the Law on Organization of the Government No. 63/2025/QH15;

Pursuant to the Law on Organization of Local Administration No. 72/2025/QH15;

Pursuant to the Law on Promulgation of Legal Documents No. 64/2025/QH15, amended and supplemented under Law No. 87/2025/QH15;

Pursuant to the Law on Disease Prevention No. 114/2025/QH15;

At the proposal of the Minister of Health;

The Government promulgates the Decree detailing and guiding the implementation of a number of articles of the Law on Disease Prevention.

Chapter I

GENERAL PROVISIONS

Article 1. Scope of regulation

This Decree details Article 14, Point b Clause 5 Article 15, Point d Clause 1 Article 16, Article 19, Article 20, Clause 5 Article 22, Clause 4 Article 23, Article 24, Article 25, Clause 3 Article 27, Clause 5 Article 30, Clause 6 Article 31, Clause 4 Article 32, Clause 4 Article 34, Clause 3 Article 35, Article 40, Clause 2 Article 41, Clause 7 Article 43 of the Law on Disease Prevention and measures for organizing and guiding the implementation of the Law on Disease Prevention regarding the organization of health quarantine, technical requirements and implementation arrangements for medical quarantine activities and testing in infectious disease surveillance, prevention and control activities.

Article 2. Interpretation of terms

1. Health quarantine officer means a person who performs health quarantine activities within a health quarantine organization.

2. Specimen means specimens obtained from humans that contain or may contain infectious agents causing disease in humans; microbial strains, microbial genetic materials, and other specimens that contain or may contain infectious agents causing disease in humans.

3. Declarant in health quarantine means a person entering, exiting, or transiting; a representative or authorized person for conveyances entering, exiting, or transiting, imported, exported, or transited goods; or a representative for corpse, bones, body ash, specimens, human tissues, or human body parts transported across the borders of Vietnam.

4. Laboratory center means a facility having a laboratory that works with specimens containing or potentially containing infectious agents causing disease in humans.

5. Testing in infectious disease surveillance, prevention and control means a professional activity involving the collection, processing, and testing of specimens to detect and analyze characteristics of disease-causing agents for infectious disease surveillance, prevention, and control purposes.

6. Biosafety incident means an unusual event that may result in, or results in, exposure to infectious agents or the release of infectious agents into the environment.

7. Serious adverse event following immunization means an adverse event following immunization that may threaten the life of the vaccinated person, result in sequelae, or cause death of the vaccinated person.

8. Risk assessment means a systematic process of collecting information, evaluating the likelihood and consequences of exposure to or release of hazard(s) in the workplace, and identifying appropriate risk control measures to reduce such risk to an acceptable level.

9. Nutrition intervention means measures to improve nutrition for individuals and communities through promotion of appropriate nutrition, prevention and prophylactic treatment of nutrition-related diseases, and prevention and control of nutrition-related risk factors throughout the life course.

10. Lawful revenue sources other than state budget allocations of preventive medicine establishments mean revenues generated from service provision activities carried out in accordance with the functions and duties of preventive medicine establishments.

Chapter II

DISEASE PREVENTION IN EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS

Article 3. Health counseling, communication, and education

1. Contents of health counseling, communication, and education:

a) Injury prevention measures;

b) Promotion of physical activity, adequate nutrition, healthy lifestyles, and health enhancement;

c) Prevention and control of school-related diseases and health conditions;

d) Prevention and control of infectious disease outbreaks; personal hygiene; environmental sanitation; response to public health emergencies; and prevention of sexually transmitted infections;

dd) Prevention and control of noninfectious diseases; harmful effects of tobacco, alcohol, beer, narcotic drugs, and other addictive substances;

e) Age-appropriate mental health, reproductive health, sexuality, and gender equality;

g) Prevention and control of school violence and risks affecting physical and mental health;

h) Knowledge and skills for self-protection, self-care, health promotion, and response to situations posing health risks; skills for identifying misinformation related to disease prevention;

i) Law regulations on disease prevention in educational institutions;

k) Other psychological counseling, health communication, and health education contents as guided by the Minister of Education and Training.

2. Forms of health counseling, communication, and education:

a) Forms of counseling:

Direct counseling for learners or groups of learners, parents, and guardians at school health rooms, school counseling and social work offices, or other appropriate locations;

Indirect counseling through online platforms (internal networks, school websites, email, social networks), telephone, or other appropriate communication means;

Other forms of counseling as prescribed by law;

b) Forms of health communication and education:

Direct health communication and education include: Individual communication, group discussions; organization of workshops, training sessions, and health talks; integration into classroom activities, flag ceremonies, extracurricular activities, practical instruction, games, and club activities;

Indirect health communication and education include: Display or presentation of materials, films, posters, promotional images, and exhibitions; distribution of materials and leaflets; dissemination of information through internal information systems of educational institutions; posting or transmitting health communication content through social networks and telecommunications devices; organization of and participation in health-related competitions and events;

Health education through integration and incorporation of relevant content into subjects and educational activities within educational and training programs;

Other forms of health communication and education as prescribed by law.

3. Educational institutions shall implement, or coordinate with local health agencies, or enter into contracts with qualified organizations or individuals to provide health counseling, communication, and education activities for learners as prescribed in Clauses 1 and 2 of this Article, in a manner appropriate to each educational level.

4. The Ministry of Education and Training shall take assume the prime responsibility for promulgating materials and professional guidance on health counseling, communication, and education in educational institutions in accordance with its assigned functions, duties, and authority.

Article 4. Epidemic, disease, injury, and mental disorder prevention and control, and management of risk factors for diseases, injuries, and mental disorders

1. Implementation of infectious disease prevention and control measures; organization of activities enabling learners to practice personal hygiene and environmental hygiene behaviors, respond to public health emergencies, and prevent infection transmission to themselves and those around them.

2. Management of risk factors for diseases and injuries includes:

a) Prevention and control of the harmful effects of tobacco, alcohol, and beer in accordance with law;

b) Assurance of food safety, adequate nutrition, and physical activity in accordance with Article 7 of this Decree;

c) Assurance of environmental hygiene requirements and other activities in accordance with Article 8 of this Decree;

d) Coordination among educational institutions, families, and specialized health agencies in monitoring and supporting learners at risk of diseases and injuries within educational institutions.

3. Prevention and control of injuries, noncommunicable diseases, and mental disorders in educational institutions include:

a) Injury prevention and control: Establishment of a safe, healthy, and friendly educational environment; prevention and control of school violence in accordance with the Government's Decree No. 80/2017/ND-CP dated July 17, 2017, on a safe, healthy, and friendly educational environment and the prevention and control of school violence, and in accordance with the guidance of the Minister of Education and Training; monitoring of risk factors leading to injuries in accordance with regulations of the Minister of Health;

b) Prevention of noninfectious diseases in accordance with Articles 75 and 76 of this Decree;

c) Prevention of mental disorders in accordance with Articles 78, 79, 80, and 81 of this Decree.

4. Management of risk factors for mental disorders includes:

a) Assurance of appropriate teaching and learning conditions and reduction of academic pressure;

b) Organization of psychological counseling and social work activities within educational institutions in accordance with the guidance of the Minister of Education and Training;

c) Provision of life-skills education, stress-management skills, and mental health promotion for learners;

d) Coordination among educational institutions, families, and specialized health agencies in monitoring and supporting learners at risk of mental disorders.

Article 5. Beginning-of-school-year health assessment, health screening for diseases and conditions, and review of immunization history

1. Beginning-of-school-year health assessments for learners in educational institutions shall be conducted annually in accordance with the laws on school health services:

a) Subjects: All learners enrolled in educational institutions;

b) Educational institutions shall coordinate with commune-level health stations or medical examination and treatment establishments to organize beginning-of-school-year health assessments and health screening for diseases and conditions among learners.

2. Health screening for diseases and conditions among learners in educational institutions shall be conducted in accordance with Clause 2 Article 70 of this Decree.

3. Review of immunization history:

a) Subjects: All learners enrolling in preschool education, primary education, and other educational levels in specific cases as guided by the Minister of Health;

b) Contents: Review of immunization history for diseases subject to mandatory vaccination or mandatory administration of medical biological products under the Expanded Programme on Immunization at the beginning of the school year;

c) Educational institutions shall organize the review of immunization history and coordinate with commune-level health stations in developing plans for, and organizing the implementation of, the Expanded Programme on Immunization for the subjects specified at Point a of this Clause.

Article 6. Assurance of health care and first aid conditions

1. Personnel:

a) Educational institutions shall assign school health personnel (within allocated staffing quotas or under employment contracts). Where an educational institution does not have school health personnel, it shall assign personnel to concurrently perform school health duties and coordinate with the commune-level health station in providing primary health care for learners;

b) School health personnel in educational institutions shall possess professional qualifications that satisfy the job-position requirements as prescribed by law;

c) School health personnel and personnel concurrently performing school health duties shall complete training programs in professional knowledge and practice to conduct medical examination and treatment within the scope of practice prescribed by the Minister of Health, and shall complete professional training in school health activities in accordance with regulations of the Minister of Education and Training.

2. Facilities, medical equipment, and essential medicines:

a) Educational institutions shall provide a separate health room, ensuring convenience for first aid and primary health care activities for learners;

b) Lists of essential medicines and medical equipment for providing primary health care and first aid shall comply with the guidance of the Minister of Health.

3. Funding for school health activities:

a) Funding sources for school health activities include:

Financial resources in accordance with the laws on financial autonomy of public health units and public educational units;

Lawful financial resources of non-public educational institutions.

b) The preparation, allocation, implementation, and final settlement of state-budget funds for school health activities shall comply with the law on the state budget and detailing documents.

4. Educational institutions shall ensure the conditions prescribed in Clauses 1 and 2 of this Article, except for educational institutions that have established medical examination and treatment establishments.

Article 7. Assurance of food safety, adequate nutrition, and physical activity

1. Assurance of food safety as prescribed by law in the organization of meal services within educational institutions and extracurricular activities organized by educational institutions.

2. Assurance of adequate nutrition within educational institutions as follows:

a) Educational institutions that provide school meals shall ensure nutritionally balanced meals and develop diverse, age-appropriate menus;

b) Provision of nutrition education and promotion of healthy eating habits;

c) Monitoring and assessment of the nutritional status of learners;

d) Communication with families regarding learners’ nutritional status, nutritional menus, and dietary regimens that ensure adequate nutrition for learners.

3. Assurance of physical activity within educational institutions, including:

a) Organization of age- and physical condition-appropriate physical exercise and sports activities for learners through physical education programs, morning exercise sessions, between-class exercise sessions, and extracurricular sports activities;

b) Assurance of facilities and equipment serving physical activity;

c) Guidance and development of regular physical activity habits among learners;

d) Monitoring and assessment of physical fitness and assurance of safety during participation in activities.

4. The Minister of Education and Training shall prescribe facilities and equipment for physical education, sports, and physical activity in educational institutions; provide guidance on the contents of physical fitness development programs, school nutrition education, and the organization of school meals that ensure adequate nutrition in combination with the promotion of physical activity.

Article 8. Environmental sanitation and other activities

1. Provision of adequate drinking water and clean water for the daily living needs of learners.

2. Assurance of requirements relating to facilities, classrooms, desks and chairs, writing boards, lighting systems, learning materials, toys (for preschool children), and sanitary facilities appropriate to each educational level in accordance with the law on standards, technical regulations, and professional guidance of the Ministry of Education and Training. Handwashing facilities in sanitary areas shall be supplied with clean water and soap or other antiseptic solutions.

3. Assurance of general sanitation, water supply and drainage systems, sanitary latrines, waste collection and treatment, and prevention and control of infectious disease outbreaks at educational institutions, dormitories, boarding facilities, and semi-boarding facilities for learners in accordance with regulations.

Article 9. Implementation organization

1. The Ministry of Education and Training shall assume the prime responsibility for providing guidance, organizing implementation, conducting inspection and supervision, and reporting implementation results regarding disease prevention in educational institutions in accordance with this Decree.

2. The Ministry of Health shall provide professional and technical guidance on healthcare for learners and organize inspection and supervision of implementation.

3. Ministries and ministerial-level agencies shall:

a) Ensure human resources, facilities, and funding for implementation of disease prevention activities in educational institutions in accordance with Articles 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, and 8 of this Decree for educational institutions under their management;

b) Coordinate with the Ministry of Education and Training and the Ministry of Health in directing, guiding, and inspecting educational institutions under their management in implementing disease prevention activities in educational institutions in accordance with this Decree;

c) The Ministry of Public Security and the Ministry of National Defence shall, in addition to the responsibilities specified at Point a of this Clause, direct, guide, inspect, and handle violations relating to disease prevention in educational institutions under their management.

4. People’s Committees at all levels shall:

a) Ensure human resources, facilities, and funding as prescribed by law for implementation of disease prevention activities in educational institutions in accordance with Articles 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, and 8 of this Decree for public educational institutions;

b) Direct education and health specialized agencies under their management and relevant local departments and sectors in carrying out disease prevention activities in educational institutions within localities;

c) Submit annual reports and ad hoc reports on the implementation of disease prevention tasks in educational institutions in accordance with the guidance of the Minister of Education and Training and the Minister of Health;

d) Inspect and handle violations relating to disease prevention in educational institutions within their management areas.

5. Public and non-public educational institutions (including educational institutions under the management of ministries and sectors) shall:

a) Organize and implement disease prevention activities in educational institutions in accordance with Articles 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, and 8 of this Decree;

b) Develop coordination and connectivity mechanisms between educational institutions and relevant agencies and organizations for implementation of disease prevention activities in educational institutions;

c) Submit annual reports on disease prevention results in educational institutions in accordance with the guidance of the Minister of Education and Training. Educational institutions under the management of the Ministry of Public Security and the Ministry of National Defence shall report in accordance with the guidance of the Ministry of Public Security and the Ministry of National Defence.

Chapter III

PREVENTION AND CONTROL OF INFECTIOUS DISEASES AND INFECTIOUS DISEASE OUTBREAKS

Section 1

ELIMINATION OF THE PUBLIC HEALTH SIGNIFICANCE, ELIMINATION, AND ERADICATION OF CERTAIN INFECTIOUS DISEASES

Article 10. Conditions for recognition of the elimination of the public health significance, elimination, and eradication of infectious diseases

1. General conditions for the elimination of the public health significance, elimination, and eradication of infectious diseases:

a) A condition for the elimination of public health significance of an infectious disease is the reduction of the infection rate, incidence rate, number of cases, or mortality rate of an infectious disease at a specified point in time to a level at which it no longer constitutes a public health concern or has a major impact on community health;

b) A condition for the elimination of an infectious disease is the reduction of the infection rate, incidence rate, or number of cases of an infectious disease to zero, or to a specified low level in accordance with the criteria of the World Health Organization or the standing body established under a treaty to which Vietnam is a party, for a specific infectious disease within a defined geographical area through deliberate intervention measures, with continued maintenance of such intervention measures required to preserve elimination achievements;

c) A condition for the eradication of an infectious disease is the permanent reduction of the infection rate, incidence rate, or number of cases of an infectious disease caused by a specific infectious agent to zero through deliberate intervention measures, with no remaining risk of re-infection.

2. The Minister of Health shall promulgate professional guidelines on the elimination of the public health significance, elimination, and eradication of each specific disease in Vietnam in accordance with the guidance of the World Health Organization or treaties to which Vietnam is a party.

Article 11. Order and procedures for recognition of the elimination of the public health significance, elimination, and eradication of infectious diseases

1. The specialized health agency under the provincial-level People’s Committee shall prepare a dossier requesting confirmation that the conditions for elimination of the public health significance, elimination, or eradication of each infectious disease at the provincial level have been satisfied, in accordance with the guidance of the Minister of Health; submit the dossier and propose the provincial-level People’s Committee for consideration and issuance of the decision confirming satisfaction of the conditions for elimination of the public health significance, elimination, or eradication of each infectious disease at the provincial level.

2. Chairperson of the provincial-level People’s Committee shall issue a decision confirming satisfaction of the conditions for elimination of the public health significance, elimination, or eradication of infectious diseases at the provincial level, using Form No. 03 provided in Appendix I to this Decree, and shall send such decision to the Ministry of Health for consolidation.

3. The specialized health agency under or affiliated to the Ministry of Health shall consolidate and prepare a dossier for recognition of the elimination of the public health significance, elimination, or eradication of infectious diseases in Vietnam in accordance with the guidance of the Minister of Health; such specialized health agency shall submit the dossier and propose the Minister of Health for consideration and issuance of the decision confirming satisfaction of the conditions for elimination of the public health significance, elimination, or eradication of infectious diseases in Vietnam on the basis of the concurrence of the Professional Council established by the Minister of Health.

4. The Minister of Health shall submit a request for recognition of the elimination of the public health significance, elimination, or eradication of infectious diseases in Vietnam to the World Health Organization or the standing body of a treaty to which Vietnam is a party for recognition, ensuring compliance with the Law on Treaties and other relevant legal documents.

Article 12. Maintenance, inspection, and surveillance following recognition of elimination of the public health significance, elimination, or eradication of infectious diseases

1. Provincial-level People’s Committees shall develop plans, ensure resources, and organize the implementation of professional and technical activities, inspections, and surveillance to ensure the maintenance of the criteria achieved, as guided by the Minister of Health.

2. The Ministry of Health and relevant ministries and sectors shall coordinate with the World Health Organization or the standing body of a treaty to which Vietnam is a party in organizing implementation, inspection, surveillance, and direction to ensure the maintenance of the criteria achieved in localities.

Section 2

CONTAINMENT, CONTROL, AND PREVENTION OF THE SPREAD OF INFECTIOUS DISEASE OUTBREAKS BETWEEN OUTBREAK-AFFECTED AREAS AND OUTBREAK-FREE AREAS

Article 13. Containment, control, and prevention of the spread of infectious disease outbreaks between outbreak-affected areas and outbreak-free areas

1. Where an infectious disease outbreak remains within the response and outbreak-consequence management capacity of specialized forces, part-time forces, and other forces within a commune-level locality, but poses a risk of spreading to outbreak-free areas, containment, control, and outbreak-spread prevention measures shall be implemented as follows:

a) Principles of containment: Containment shall be implemented within the smallest area scope; the scope of containment shall be adjusted promptly and appropriately in accordance with developments in the outbreak situation;

b) Medical measures for containment, control, and prevention of the spread of infectious disease outbreaks between outbreak-affected areas and outbreak-free areas shall be implemented in accordance with the professional guidance of the Minister of Health;

c) Chairpersons of commune-level People’s Committees shall issue decisions on containment and termination of containment, control, and prevention measures for the spread of infectious disease outbreaks between outbreak-affected areas and outbreak-free areas according to Forms No. 01 and No. 02 provided in Appendix I to this Decree. Chairpersons of commune-level People’s Committees shall report to Chairpersons of provincial-level People’s Committees, Directors of specialized health agencies under the provincial-level People’s Committees, and Directors of the provincial Centers for Disease Control, and shall notify agencies, organizations, and individuals within localities of the containment at least 06 hours before implementation;

d) Chairpersons of commune-level People’s Committees shall direct the mobilization, allocation, and assurance of all necessary resources for containment, including forces participating in infectious disease prevention and control; supplies, equipment, vehicles, logistics, and other supporting conditions required for controlling and preventing the spread of the outbreak within the containment area.

2. Where an infectious disease outbreak exceeds the response and outbreak-consequence management capacity of specialized forces, part-time forces, and other forces within a commune-level locality, containment and control measures to prevent the spread of the outbreak between areas shall be implemented in accordance with the laws on civil defense or states of emergency.

Section 3

MEDICAL ISOLATION

Article 14. Subjects, duration, forms, and competence to decide on applying medical isolation measures

1. Subjects of medical isolation:

Persons with infectious diseases, persons suspected of having infectious diseases, carriers of infectious agents, and persons exposed to Group A infectious agents and certain Group B infectious diseases included in the list set out in Appendix II to this Decree shall be subject to medical isolation.

2. The duration of medical isolation for each infectious disease shall be determined in accordance with the professional guidance of the Minister of Health.

3. Forms, and competence to decide on applying medical isolation measures:

a) Home-based medical isolation shall be applied to persons exposed to Group A infectious agents and to persons with certain Group B infectious diseases that require medical isolation. Chairpersons of commune-level People’s Committees shall issue decisions on home-based medical isolation;

b) Medical isolation at medical examination and treatment establishments shall be applied to persons with infectious diseases, persons suspected of having infectious diseases, and carriers of infectious agents belonging to Group A; and to persons with certain Group B infectious diseases requiring medical isolation who have severe medical conditions, are at risk of developing severe disease, or have comorbidities requiring inpatient treatment as prescribed by medical practitioners (physicians or assistant physicians) at medical examination and treatment establishments. Heads of medical examination and treatment establishments shall issue decisions on medical isolation at medical examination and treatment establishments;

c) Medical isolation at border gates shall be applied to persons with infectious diseases, persons suspected of having infectious diseases, and carriers of infectious agents belonging to Group A. Heads of border gates shall issue decisions on medical isolation at border gates;

d) Medical isolation at other facilities or locations shall be applied where the medical isolation facilities prescribed at Points a, b, and c of this Clause exceed their isolation capacity. The list of other facilities and locations designated for medical isolation is set out in Appendix III to this Decree. Chairpersons of commune-level People’s Committees and heads of agencies or units assigned to manage medical isolation facilities shall issue decisions on medical isolation at other facilities or locations under their management;

dd) Where an extension of the medical isolation period is necessary, the head of the specialized health agency responsible for implementing the isolation shall report and request the person who issued the isolation decision to extend the isolation period;

e) Upon completion of medical isolation, the head of the specialized health agency responsible for implementing the isolation shall certify completion of isolation for the isolated person according to Form No. 01 provided in Appendix IV to this Decree and shall terminate the isolation.

4. For persons under the management of the Ministry of Public Security or the Ministry of National Defence, heads of units managing such persons shall issue decisions on medical isolation and compulsory medical isolation at facilities and shall organize the implementation of medical isolation and compulsory medical isolation as prescribed.

Article 15. Order and procedures for applying home-based medical isolation measures

1. Within 02 hours from the time of identifying the person falling within the cases specified at Point a Clause 3 Article 14 of this Decree, the commune-level health station shall prepare a list of cases subject to home-based medical isolation or medical isolation at their place of stay (hereinafter referred to as home-based isolation) and shall report to and request the Chairperson of commune-level People’s Committee to consider and approve such list.

2. Within 01 hour from receipt of the proposal from the commune-level health station, the Chairperson of the commune-level People’s Committee shall issue a decision on medical isolation for cases subject to home-based medical isolation, made according to Form No. 02 provided in Appendix IV to this Decree.

3. Within 03 hours from the issuance of a decision on medical isolation for cases subject to home-based medical isolation:

a) The commune-level People’s Committee shall notify the commune-level public security office and head of the residential group or equivalent person to ensure implementation of the medical isolation; for foreign nationals, the Chairperson of the commune-level People’s Committee shall simultaneously send a notification regarding the application of the medical isolation measure to the Consular Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for notification to the diplomatic mission of the relevant country;

b) The commune-level health station shall notify the person subject to medical isolation and his or her relatives of the application of medical isolation measure and shall notify the head of the residential group, head of the residential cluster, or equivalent person, while organizing the implementation of professional medical measures for the person subject to medical isolation.

4. The commune-level health station shall coordinate with the medical examination and treatment establishment in considering and deciding on applying medical isolation measure at a medical examination and treatment establishment and shall report to Chairperson of the commune-level People’s Committee for issuance of a decision changing the form of medical isolation according to Form No. 06 provided in Appendix IV to this Decree for persons currently under home-based medical isolation in the following cases:

a) Persons exposed to a Group A infectious agent are determined to suffer from infectious disease or to be carriers of Group A infectious agent;

b) Persons with Group B infectious disease develop severe disease progression.

Article 16. Order and procedures for applying medical isolation measures at medical examination and treatment establishments

1. Within 01 hour from the time of identifying the person falling within the cases specified at Point b Clause 3 Article 14 of this Decree, the medical practitioner shall prescribe the application of medical isolation measure in the patient's medical record and simultaneously report to the head of the department, division, or equivalent unit at the medical examination and treatment establishment for the latter to prepare a list of cases subject to medical isolation and reporting to and request the head of the medical examination and treatment establishment to issue a medical isolation decision.

2. Within 01 hour from receipt of the proposal from the head of the department, division, or equivalent unit at the medical examination and treatment establishment, the head of the medical examination and treatment establishment shall issue a medical isolation decision according to Form No. 07 provided in Appendix IV to this Decree.

3. For persons specified in Clause 4 Article 15 and Clause 4 Article 18 of this Decree, the head of the medical examination and treatment establishment is not required to re-approve the list of cases subject to medical isolation, but shall only carry out procedures for admission of the patient and direct the implementation of medical isolation for such person at the establishment.

4. Within 01 hour from the time a person becomes subject to a medical isolation measure, the head of the department, division, or equivalent unit at the medical examination and treatment establishment shall:

a) Notify the person subject to medical isolation and his or her relatives of the application of medical isolation measure; for foreign nationals, the head of department, division, or equivalent unit shall report to the head of the medical examination and treatment establishment for notification of the application of medical isolation measure to be sent to the Consular Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for notification to the diplomatic mission of the relevant country;

b) Organize the implementation of professional medical measures for the person subject to medical isolation.

5. Where a medical examination and treatment establishment has exceeded its capacity for medical isolation, the head of the establishment shall decide on changing the form of medical isolation from isolation at the medical examination and treatment establishment to home-based medical isolation or isolation at another isolation facility, using the Form No. 08 provided in Appendix IV to this Decree, notify the person subject to medical isolation and his or her relatives, and arrange for the transfer of the isolated person to an appropriate isolation facility.

Article 17. Order and procedures for applying medical isolation measures at border gates

1. Within 01 hour from the identification of a person falling within the cases specified at Point c Clause 3 Article 14 of this Decree, the head of the health quarantine organization shall prepare a list of persons subject to medical isolation and submit a report and proposal to the head of the border-gate management agency for consideration and approval.

2. Within 01 hour from receipt of the proposal, the head of the border-gate management agency shall issue a decision on medical isolation for persons subject to medical isolation at the border gate according to Form No. 03 provided in Appendix IV to this Decree.

3. Immediately upon approval of the list of persons subject to medical isolation:

a) The head of the border-gate management agency shall direct relevant units at the border gate to organize the implementation of medical isolation measures. In case of foreign nationals, the head of the border-gate management agency shall notify the Consular Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the application of medical isolation measure so that notification procedures may be carried out with the diplomatic mission of the relevant country;

b) The head of the health quarantine organization shall notify the person subject to medical isolation and his or her relatives of the application of medical isolation measure and shall organize the implementation of professional medical measures for such person. The period of medical isolation at the border gate shall not exceed 48 hours from the effective time of the decision on applying medical isolation measure.

4. Within 48 hours from the effective time of the decision on applying medical isolation measure, the head of the health quarantine organization shall transfer the isolated person to a designated health establishment within the locality for continued implementation of subsequent medical measures.

Article 18. Order and procedures for applying medical isolation measures at other facilities or locations

1. Within 03 hours from the time a person falls within the cases specified at Point d Clause 3 Article 14 of this Decree, the specialized health agency currently managing the person subject to medical isolation shall prepare a list of persons required to undergo medical isolation and submit a report and proposal to the Chairperson of the commune-level People’s Committee or the heads of ministries, sectors, and agencies within the locality for a decision on medical isolation at another facility or location.

2. Within 03 hours after receiving the proposal, the Chairperson of the commune-level People’s Committee or the head of the agency or unit assigned to manage the medical isolation facility shall issue a decision on medical isolation for persons required to undergo medical isolation at another facility or location according to Form No. 04 provided in Appendix IV to this Decree.

3. Within 03 hours from approval of the list of persons subject to medical isolation:

a) The commune-level People’s Committee shall notify the head of the medical isolation facility or location and organize the transportation of persons subject to isolation to the designated isolation facility or location; send notification of the medical isolation measure to the isolated person and his or her relatives; and, in case of foreign nationals, send notification to the Consular Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs so that notification procedures may be carried out with the diplomatic mission of the relevant country;

b) The head of the other medical isolation facility or location shall receive and implement the medical isolation measure.

4. Where a person undergoing medical isolation develops a severe medical condition, is at risk of severe disease, or has a comorbidity requiring inpatient treatment at a medical examination and treatment establishment, the head of the medical isolation facility or location shall coordinate with the medical examination and treatment establishment to consider and decide on applying medical isolation at the medical examination and treatment establishment. The Chairperson of the commune-level People’s Committee or the head of the agency or unit assigned to manage the medical isolation facility shall issue a decision changing the form of medical isolation according to Form No. 09 provided in Appendix IV to this Decree.

5. The requisition of facilities or locations for medical isolation as specified at Point d Clause 3 Article 14 of this Decree shall comply with the law on compulsory purchase and requisition of property.

Article 19. Provisions on applying temporary restriction measures

1. Pending issuance of a medical isolation decision, and for the purpose of immediately preventing the spread of infectious disease outbreak, Director of the commune-level health station, head of the health quarantine organization, or head of the department, division, or equivalent unit of the medical examination and treatment establishment where a person subject to medical isolation is identified shall report the case to the person authorized to issue a medical isolation decision and, at the same time, may require such person not to leave his or her current location pending a decision by the competent person specified in Clause 3 Article 14 of this Decree.

2. Duration of a temporary restriction measure:

a) Not more than 03 hours for persons specified at Point a Clause 3 Article 14 of this Decree;

b) Not more than 02 hours for persons specified at Points b and c Clause 3 Article 14 of this Decree;

c) Not more than 06 hours for persons specified at Point d Clause 3 Article 14 of this Decree.

3. Upon expiration of the period for application of a temporary restriction measure, if the competent agency has not issued a medical isolation decision, the temporary restriction measure shall automatically terminate. The person subject to the measure may continue to travel but shall comply with instructions issued by the health agency regarding self-monitoring of health status and infection prevention and control measures.

4. The agency or organization where the person subject to the temporary restriction measure is staying shall arrange an appropriate temporary location to facilitate monitoring and ensure the safety of the person subject to the measure.

5. In emergency situations where the number of persons requiring medical isolation exceeds available response capacity, the time limits prescribed in Articles 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, and 20 of this Decree may be extended, and temporary restriction measures may be applied immediately. The extension period shall not exceed one additional period equal to the applicable time limit prescribed for the persons specified in Clause 2 of this Article. For persons subject to compulsory medical isolation under Article 20 of this Decree, the extension may continue until the compulsory medical isolation measure has been fully implemented.

Article 20. Compulsory medical isolation

1. Where persons specified in Clause 1 Article 19 of the Law on Disease Prevention fail to comply with a medical isolation decision, a compulsory medical isolation measure shall be imposed immediately.

2. The person competent to issue a medical isolation decision as specified in Clause 3 Article 14 of this Decree shall issue a decision on compulsory medical isolation according to Form No. 05 provided in Appendix IV to this Decree.

3. Procedures for compulsory medical isolation:

a) Immediately upon determining the case specified in Clause 1 of this Article, the person competent to issue a medical isolation decision under Clause 3 Article 14 of this Decree shall issue a decision on compulsory medical isolation;

b) Based on the decision on compulsory medical isolation, the person issuing the medical isolation decision shall direct the specialized health agencies to coordinate with the police force or border-gate security force, and other relevant units of the local administration in organizing the enforcement of the compulsory medical isolation, transporting the person to a medical isolation facility, and coordinating with the specialized health agencies to ensure that medical isolation is implemented in accordance with regulations.

In case of foreign nationals, the person issuing the decision on compulsory medical isolation shall notify the Consular Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the application of the compulsory medical isolation measure so that notification procedures may be carried out with the diplomatic mission of the relevant country.

Section 4

HEALTH QUARANTINE

Sub-section 1.

HEALTH QUARANTINE FOR PERSONS ON ENTRY, EXIT OR TRANSIT

Article 21. Information collection

1. The following information of a person shall be collected:

a) Personal information;

b) Health status information;

c) Epidemiological history information (travel, food consumption, exposure history, etc.);

d) Information on vaccination and prophylaxis applied;

dd) Other information relevant to the prevention and control of infectious diseases, where necessary.

2. Information on the global situation of infectious disease outbreaks shall be collected from the IHR Focal Point, the World Health Organization, the Ministry of Health, and other official information sources.

Article 22. Health declaration for persons on entry, exit or transit

1. Any persons enter, exit or transit through Vietnam are required to make health declaration as prescribed in Clauses 2, 3 and 4 of this Article.

2. The Minister of Health shall provide guidance on persons and period during which health declaration requirements shall apply at border gates for each infectious disease, based on the global infectious disease situation and the risk of introduction into Vietnam at each specific point in time.

3. Health declarations may be submitted electronically or in paper form.

4. Health declaration contents:

a) Completion of the health declaration according to Form No. 01 in Appendix V to this Decree;

b) Provision of evidence of vaccination and prophylaxis applied, where required by the Ministry of Health.

5. Health declarations: shall be available in bilingual Vietnamese and English formats. Depending on the global infectious disease situation, additional languages may be used at border gates.

6. Health declarations shall be completed within 07 days before entry, exit, or transit through a Vietnamese border gate.

Article 23. Health observation of persons on entry, exit or transit

1. A health quarantine officer shall conduct direct or indirect observation and monitor health status and body temperature using health surveillance equipment for persons entering, exiting, or transiting through Vietnam in order to identify suspected cases of infectious disease.

2. Where suspected cases of infectious disease are identified, the health quarantine officer shall conduct a physical inspection.

Article 24. Health inspection of persons on entry, exit or transit

1. Document inspection:

a) Checking contents of the health declaration as prescribed in Clause 4 Article 22 of this Decree;

b) In case of identifying a person subject to physical inspection under Point d Clause 2 Article 20 of the Law on Disease Prevention, the health quarantine officer shall conduct a physical inspection.

2. Physical inspection:

a) Cases specified at Point d Clause 2 Article 20 of the Law on Disease Prevention that are identified through information collection, health observation, or document inspection shall undergo physical inspection;

b) The health quarantine officer shall conduct interviews, collect epidemiological information, applied prophylaxis against infectious disease, and identify signs and symptoms of infectious disease;

c) In case of identifying a person subject to medical control under Point dd Clause 2 Article 20 of the Law on Disease Prevention, the health quarantine officer shall provide medical control;

d) The physical inspection of an individual shall be completed within 02 hours.

Article 25. Medical control for persons on entry, exit or transit

1. Persons specified at Point c Clause 2 Article 24 of this Decree shall be subject to medical control.

2. Medical control includes:

a) Implementation of measures to prevent disease transmission;

b) Application of medical isolation at the border gate for persons with a Group A infectious disease, persons suspected of having Group A infectious disease, and carriers of Group A infectious agent. For persons with, or suspected of having, Group B infectious disease requiring medical isolation, the health quarantine organization shall instruct such persons to contact commune-level health stations where they reside for continued management in accordance with regulations;

c) Provision of initial medical management;

d) Collection of specimens for laboratory testing, where necessary;

dd) Provision of counseling on infectious disease prevention and control;

e) Taking of environmental health measures; disinfection of means of transport and goods associated with the person subject to medical control in accordance with professional guidelines;

g) Preparation of a list of close contacts of the person subject to medical isolation for applying infectious disease prevention and control measures when necessary;

h) Information sharing and reporting in accordance with regulations of the Minister of Health.

3. Where a person subject to medical control does not wish to continue entry into or transit through Vietnam, the health quarantine organization shall report the matter to the border-gate management agency. The border-gate management agency shall require such person to comply with infectious disease prevention and control measures. The health quarantine organization shall notify Vietnam’s IHR Focal Point to transmit the information to the IHR Focal Point of the intended destination country for coordination in applying infectious disease prevention and control measures.

4. Upon completion of the medical control specified in Clause 2 of this Article, the health quarantine officer shall notify the border-gate management agency to carry out entry, exit, or transit procedures for the person undergoing the medical control.

Article 26. International certificates of vaccination or prophylaxis

Vaccination facilities or health quarantine organizations engaged in vaccination activities as prescribed by law shall administer vaccinations, implement prophylaxis, and issue an International certificate of vaccination or prophylaxis to persons entering, exiting, or transiting through Vietnam in accordance with the guidance of the International Health Regulations provided in Form No. 02 of Appendix V to this Decree (where applicable).

Sub-section 2.

HEALTH QUARANTINE FOR CONVEYANCES ON ENTRY, EXIT, OR TRANSIT

Article 27. Information collection and health declaration for conveyances entering, exiting, or transiting through Vietnam

1. Persons required to provide information and submit health declarations:

The declarant of a conveyance entering, exiting, or transiting through Vietnam shall submit a health declaration, except for conveyances that have completed health quarantine procedures at the first border gate of entry and subsequently continue their journey within the territory of Vietnam, and cargo conveyances operating within the border gate area that have no person directly operating the conveyance.

2. Contents of information collection and health declaration:

a) For aircraft: Declare and submit the general declaration (air) made according to Form No. 03 in Appendix V to this Decree; and provide the certification of health inspection and control for conveyances and cargo (if any) made according to Form No. 09 in Appendix V to this Decree to the health quarantine organization before the conveyance enters, exits, or transits.

b) For ships and vessels: Declare and submit the maritime declaration of health made according to Form No. 05 in Appendix V to this Decree; provide the ship sanitation control exemption certificate/ship sanitation control certificate (if any) made according to Form No. 08 in Appendix V to this Decree, the certification of health inspection and control for cargo (on board ships and vessels) and ships and vessels (if any) made according to Form No. 10 in Appendix V to this Decree, and the general declaration made according to Form No. 42 to the Government's Decree No. 34/2025/ND-CP dated February 25, 2025, amending Decrees in the maritime sector, to the health quarantine organization or through the National Single Window Portal at least 12 hours before the ship or vessel is scheduled to enter, exit, or transit.

c) For road and railway conveyances: Declare and submit the health declaration for conveyances and cargo made according to Form No. 04 in Appendix V to this Decree, and the certification of health inspection and control for conveyances and cargo made according to Form No. 09 in Appendix V to this Decree (if any), before the conveyance passes through the border gate.

d) Information concerning the health status of persons traveling on the conveyance shall be collected in accordance with Clause 1 Article 21 of this Decree; information concerning cargo transported on the conveyance shall be collected in accordance with Article 32 of this Decree.

dd) In case where a passenger on the conveyance or the operator of the conveyance is found to have, or is suspected of having, an infectious disease, the person responsible on board the conveyance shall immediately notify the health quarantine organization at the border gate before the aircraft takes off or lands, the ship or vessel arrives at or departs from port, or the conveyance arrives at or departs from the border gate; for ships and vessels, a health quarantine signal must be displayed in accordance with Article 31 of this Decree.

Article 28. Medical observation of conveyances on entry, exit, or transit

1. Health quarantine officers shall conduct direct or indirect observation to identify signs indicating the presence of infectious disease agents or vectors of infectious diseases on conveyances and shall inspect sanitary conditions. The duration of observation shall not exceed 15 minutes for road and air conveyances, and shall not exceed 30 minutes for rail and waterborne conveyances (including maritime conveyances).

2. Where a conveyance is found to have unsanitary conditions, or to carry or show signs of carrying infectious disease agents or vectors of infectious diseases associated with Group A infectious diseases or certain Group B infectious diseases subject to medical isolation, health quarantine officers shall conduct a physical inspection.

Article 29. Health inspection of conveyances on entry, exit, or transit

1. Document inspection:

a) Verification of the information collected and the health declaration submitted in accordance with Clause 2 Article 27 of this Decree;

b) In case of identifying a conveyance subject to physical inspection under Point d Clause 2 Article 20 of the Law on Disease Prevention, the health quarantine officer shall conduct a physical inspection.

c) Where a conveyance carries a person or cargo subject to a physical inspection, the conveyance itself shall also be subject to a physical inspection;

d) Where a conveyance does not fall within the cases specified at Point d Clause 2 Article 20 of the Law on Disease Prevention, the health quarantine officer shall certify the results and end the health quarantine procedure;

dd) The document inspection shall be completed within a maximum period of 10 minutes from the receipt of sufficient documents or information.

2. Physical inspection:

a) Cases specified at Point d Clause 2 Article 20 of the Law on Disease Prevention that are identified through information collection, health observation, or document inspection shall undergo physical inspection;

b) The health quarantine officer shall require the conveyance to be moved to a designated area for inspection of sanitary conditions, identification of signs indicating the presence of infectious disease agents or vectors of infectious diseases, and assessment of the effectiveness of any medical control measures that have been applied;

c) Where, after the physical inspection, none of the cases specified at Point d Clause 2 Article 20 of the Law on Disease Prevention are identified, a certification of health inspection shall be issued in accordance with Form No. 09 of Appendix V to this Decree and the health quarantine procedure shall end;

d) In case of identifying a conveyance subject to medical control under Point d Clause 2 Article 20 of the Law on Disease Prevention, the health quarantine officer shall provide medical control;

dd) A physical inspection of a road conveyance or an aircraft must be completed within a maximum period of 45 minutes; a physical inspection of a train or a vessel must be completed within 1.5 hours. At least 15 minutes before the expiration of the prescribed inspection period, the health quarantine organization shall notify the health declarant of any extension of the physical inspection period and clearly state the reasons therefor. The extension period shall not exceed 01 hour. Upon completion of the health inspection, the health quarantine officer shall issue the certificate prescribed in Form No. 09 of Appendix V to this Decree and end the health quarantine procedure.

Article 30. Medical control for conveyances on entry, exit, or transit

1. The cases specified at Point d Clause 2 Article 29 of this Decree shall be subject to medical control.

2. Medical control consists of one or both of the following measures:

a) Disinfection and elimination of infectious disease agents and vectors;

b) Coordination with relevant agencies in implementing sanitation measures.

3. Medical control measures applicable to persons on board a conveyance shall be implemented in accordance with Article 25 of this Decree.

4. Medical control measures for cargoes on the conveyance shall be carried out in accordance with regulations in Article 35 of this Decree.

5. Upon the completion of medical control measures as prescribed in Clause 2 of this Article, a health quarantine officer shall grant the certificate of health inspection and control, made according to the Form No. 09 stated in Appendix V to this Decree, or the ship sanitation control exemption certificate/ ship sanitation control certificate, made according to the Form No. 08 stated in Appendix V to this Decree, and end the health quarantine procedure. Such certificate must be granted within 30 minutes from the completion of medical control.

6. Time limits for completion of the medical control measures prescribed in Clause 2 of this Article:

a) Not more than 01 hour for a road conveyance, a railway carriage, or an aircraft;

b) Not more than 06 hours for an entire train or a ship or vessel, calculated from the time the conveyance is identified as being subject to medical control;

c) Not more than 24 hours for a ship or vessel where the required medical control involves rat trapping, baiting, or fumigation for rodent control. If the medical control is estimated to be longer than the prescribed time limit, 15 minutes before the expiration of the prescribed period, the health quarantine organization shall provide written notice of the extension of the medical control period and clearly state the reasons therefor to the health declarant. The extension period shall not exceed 01 hour for a road conveyance, a railway carriage, or an aircraft;

d) Not more than 04 hours for an entire train or a ship or vessel, calculated from the time the extension notice is issued.

7. Where the health inspection or control is requested to be implemented for the purpose of issuing certificate of health inspection and control or ship sanitation control exemption certificate/ ship sanitation control certificate, the health declarant shall submit a written request made according to Form No. 15 provided in Appendix V to this Decree. The health inspection and control shall be carried out in accordance with Article 29 of this Decree and Clauses 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6 of this Article.

Article 31. Health quarantine signals for ships and vessels

Health quarantine signals for ships and vessels shall be implemented in accordance with the International Code of Signals (ICS) applicable to health quarantine for ships and vessels.

Sub-section 3.

HEALTH QUARANTINE FOR CARGO

Article 32. Information collection and health declaration for cargo

1. Cargoes subject to information provision and health declaration submission:

Imported, exported, and transit cargo, including cargo located at warehouses, yards, customs clearance locations, cargo consolidation sites, customs inspection sites, and customs supervision locations, shall be subject to health declaration, except for transit cargo that remains on board the conveyance without being unloaded, and cargo subject to animal quarantine, terrestrial animal products quarantine, or aquatic animals and aquatic animal products quarantine.

2. Contents of information collection and health declaration:

a) For cargoes transported by road, rail, or air: Declare and submit the health declaration for cargo, made according to Form No. 04 provided in Appendix V to this Decree, and the certification of health inspection and control (if any) in accordance with Form No. 09 provided in Appendix V to this Decree, to the health quarantine organization before the cargo is imported, exported, or transits.

b) For cargoes transported by waterway: Declare and submit a copy of the cargo declaration in accordance with Form No. 43 promulgated together with Government Decree No. 34/2025/ND-CP dated February 25, 2025 amending Decrees in the maritime sector, and the certification of health inspection and control for cargo (on board ships and vessels) and ships and vessels (if any) in accordance with Form No. 10 provided in Appendix V to this Decree, to the health quarantine organization at least 12 hours before the cargo is scheduled to be imported, exported, or transits.

Article 33. Medical observation of cargoes

1. Health quarantine officers shall conduct direct or indirect observation to identify signs indicating the presence of infectious disease agents or disease vectors on cargo, and shall assess the external condition of the cargo and the conditions under which it has been stored during transportation and storage.

2. Where cargo is found to carry, or show signs of carrying, infectious disease agents or vectors associated with Group A infectious diseases or certain Group B infectious diseases subject to medical isolation, or where cargo is found not to meet sanitary or storage requirements, the health quarantine officer shall conduct a physical inspection.

3. Medical observation of cargo shall be completed within 01 hour for a cargo consignment weighing less than 10 tons and within 03 hours for a cargo consignment weighing 10 tons or more.

Article 34. Health inspection of cargoes

1. Document inspection:

a) Verification of the information collected and the health declaration submitted in accordance with Clause 2 Article 32 of this Decree;

b) In case of identifying the cargo subject to physical inspection under Point d Clause 2 Article 20 of the Law on Disease Prevention, the health quarantine officer shall conduct a physical inspection;

c) Cargo carried on a conveyance that is subject to a physical inspection, or cargo that has been in contact with a person subject to a physical inspection, shall be subject to a physical inspection;

d) Where cargo does not fall within the cases specified at Point d Clause 2 Article 20 of the Law on Disease Prevention, the health quarantine officer shall issue the certificate prescribed in Form No. 09 of Appendix V to this Decree and end the health quarantine procedure;

dd) The document inspection of a cargo consignment shall be completed within a maximum period of 20 minutes from the receipt of sufficient documents or information.

2. Physical inspection:

a) Cases specified at Point d Clause 2 Article 20 of the Law on Disease Prevention that are identified through information collection, health observation, or document inspection shall undergo physical inspection;

b) The health quarantine officer shall require the cargo to be moved to a designated area for inspection to determine whether it carries, or shows signs of carrying, infectious disease agents or vectors associated with Group A infectious diseases or certain Group B infectious diseases subject to medical isolation; to determine whether the cargo fails to meet sanitary or storage requirements; and to assess the effectiveness of any medical control measures that have been applied;

c) In case of identifying the cargo subject to medical control under Point dd Clause 2 Article 20 of the Law on Disease Prevention, the health quarantine officer shall provide medical control;

d) Where the cargo does not fall within the cases specified at Point c Clause 2 of this Article 20, the health quarantine officer shall certify the results and end the health quarantine procedure;

dd) The physical inspection shall be completed within 01 hour for a cargo consignment weighing less than 10 tons and within 03 hours for a cargo consignment weighing 10 tons or more. Upon completion of the health inspection, the health quarantine officer shall issue the certificate of health inspection and control prescribed in Form No. 09 of Appendix V to this Decree and end the health quarantine procedure.

Article 35. Medical control for cargoes

1. Persons specified at Point c Clause 2 Article 34 of this Decree shall be subject to medical control.

2. Medical control consists of one or more of the following measures:

a) Disinfection and elimination of infectious disease agents and vectors;

b) Coordination with relevant agencies in implementing sanitation measures;

c) Forcible destruction or re-export of cargo for which the measure prescribed at Point a of this Clause cannot be implemented;

d) Collection of specimens for laboratory testing, where necessary.

3. Upon the completion of medical control as prescribed in Clause 2 of this Article, the health quarantine officer shall grant the certificate of medical control for cargoes, and then complete the quarantine.

4. The medical control measures shall be completed within 02 hour for a cargo consignment weighing less than 10 tons and within 06 hours for a cargo consignment weighing 10 tons or more. If a medical control is estimated to be longer than the prescribed time limit, 15 minutes before the prescribed time limit is over, the health quarantine organization shall notify the declarant of the extension of medical control and give reasons thereof. An extension shall not exceed 02 hour from the notification of such extension.

5. Where the health inspection or control is requested to be implemented for the purpose of issuing certificate of health inspection and control for cargo and for road, rail, air, or waterborne conveyances, the health declarant shall submit a written request made according to Form No. 15 provided in Appendix V to this Decree. The health inspection and control shall be carried out in accordance with Article 34 of this Decree and Clauses 2, 3, and 4 of this Article.

Sub-section 4.

HEALTH QUARANTINE OF CORPSE, BONES, BODY ASH

Article 36. Information collection and health declaration for corpse, bones, body ash

1. Health quarantine declaration must be carried out for corpse, bones, and body ash transported through the border.

2. Health declaration contents:

The declarant shall fill in and submit the health quarantine declaration of corpse, bones, body ash according to the Form No. 11 stated in Appendix V to this Decree, submit the copy of the certificate of medical control for corpse, bones issued by the country or territory of departure, the permit for entry of corpse, bones and body ash into Vietnam in accordance with regulations of Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and the death certificate (for corpse, bones) to the health quarantine organization.

Article 37. Medical observation of corpses, bones, and body ash

1. Health quarantine officers shall conduct direct or indirect observation and assess the external condition of coffins, containers holding bones, urns containing body ash, packaging, seals, sanitary conditions, signs of liquid leakage, unusual odors, or any indications that fail to satisfy sanitary and health safety requirements.

2. Medical observation of a corpse, bones, or body ash shall be completed within 15 minutes.

Article 38. Medical inspection of corpses, bones, and body ash

1. Document inspection:

a) Inspection of contents of the health declaration as prescribed in Clause 2 Article 36 of this Decree;

b) Following document inspection, all corpses and bones shall be subject to a physical inspection conducted by a health quarantine officer;

d) Where a corpse, bones, or body ash is not accompanied by the required certificates of medical control, health measures shall be applied in accordance with Article 39 of this Decree;

d) Where a corpse, bones, or body ash is not accompanied by any of the documents specified in Clause 2 Article 36 of this Decree, the health quarantine officer shall request the health declarant to supplement the missing document(s);

dd) Document inspection of a corpse, bones, or body ash shall be completed within 15 minutes from the time all documents specified in Clause 2 Article 36 of this Decree have been fully submitted.

2. Physical inspection:

a) The health quarantine officer shall require the corpse, bones, or body ash to be brought to a designated area. The contents of the health declaration shall be verified against the actual preservation conditions of the corpse or bones;

b) Inspection of sanitary conditions and transportation requirements in accordance with the regulations of the Minister of Health;

c) Where a corpse, bones, or body ash fails to satisfy sanitary conditions or transportation requirements, medical control measures shall be applied in accordance with Article 39 of this Decree;

d) If the corpse, bones or body have sufficient documents as prescribed in Clause 2 Article 36 of this Decree, and meet all sanitary and transport conditions as regulated by the Minister of Health, the health quarantine officer shall grant the health quarantine certificate of corpse, bones according to the Form No. 12 stated in Appendix V to this Decree, and then complete the quarantine;

dd) Physical inspection of a corpse, bones, or body ash shall be completed within 01 hour from the time all required documents have been submitted and the health quarantine officer has access to the inspected corpse, bones, or body ash.

Article 39. Medical control of corpses, bones, and body ash

1. Subjects of medical control:

Corpse, bones and body ash prescribed at Point c Clause 1 Article 38, and Point c Clause 2 Article 38 of this Decree shall be subject to medical control.

2. Medical control measures:

a) Implementation of health control in accordance with the regulations of the Minister of Health on sanitation in burial and cremation activities;

b) Inspection and issuance of a health quarantine certificate for corpses, bones, and body ash upon completion of the medical control prescribed at Point a of this Clause.

3. Medical control measures for a container holding a corpse, bones, or body ash shall be completed within 03 hours from the time the health quarantine organization requests implementation of such measures. If the medical control is estimated to be longer than the prescribed time limit, 15 minutes before the expiration of the prescribed period, the health quarantine organization shall provide written notice of the extension of the medical control period and clearly state the reasons therefor to the health declarant. An extension shall not exceed 01 hour from the notification of such extension.

Sub-section 5.

HEALTH QUARANTINE OF MICROORGANISM SAMPLE, TISSUES, HUMAN BODY ORGANS

Article 40. Microorganism samples, tissues, and human body parts subject to health quarantine

1. Imported microorganism samples of human origin that contain, or are capable of containing, infectious disease agents transmissible to humans; microbial strains and microbial genetic materials capable of causing infectious diseases in humans.

2. All tissues and human body parts transported across the border of Vietnam, except tissues and human body parts intended for tissue or human body part transplantation.

Article 41. Information collection and health declaration for microorganism samples, tissues, and human body parts

The health declarant shall declare and submit health declaration information for microorganism samples, tissues, and human body parts in accordance with Form No. 13 provided in Appendix V to this Decree to the health quarantine organization.

Article 42. Medical observation of microorganism samples, tissues, and human body parts

1. Health quarantine officers shall conduct direct or indirect observation and assess the external condition of packaging, seals, sanitary conditions, signs of liquid leakage, unusual odors, or any indications that fail to satisfy the requirements on packaging, preservation, transportation, and sanitation.

2. Medical observation of a corpse, bones, or body ash shall be completed within 15 minutes.

Article 43. Health inspection of microorganism samples, tissues, and human body parts

1. Document inspection:

a) Verification of the information collected and the health declaration submitted in accordance with Article 41 of this Decree;

b) All microorganism samples, tissues, and human body parts transported across the border shall be subject to a physical inspection. A physical inspection shall only be conducted when all required documents are available;

c) Document inspection of a consignment of microorganism samples, tissues, or human body parts shall be completed within 15 minutes from the submission of sufficient documents or information.

2. Physical inspection:

a) Verification of the contents of the health declaration for microorganism samples, tissues, and human body parts against the actual conditions of packaging, preservation, transportation, and sanitation;

b) Where microorganism samples satisfy the requirements on packaging, preservation, transportation, and sanitation, the health quarantine officer shall issue a health quarantine certificate according to Form No. 14 provided in Appendix V to this Decree and complete the health quarantine;

c) Where tissues or human body parts satisfy the requirements on packaging, preservation, transportation, and sanitation, the health quarantine officer shall issue a health quarantine certificate for tissues and human body parts and complete the health quarantine;

d) Where microorganism samples, tissues, or human body parts fail to satisfy any of the requirements for packaging, preservation, transportation, or sanitation, medical control shall be implemented in accordance with Article 44 of this Decree;

dd) Physical inspection of a consignment of microorganism samples, or of a tissue or human body part, shall be completed within 01 hour from the time all required documents have been submitted and the health quarantine officer has access to the inspected microorganism sample, tissue, or body part.

Article 44. Medical control of microorganism samples, tissues, and human body parts

1. Medical control of microorganism samples shall be implemented in accordance with the regulations of the Minister of Health on management of infectious specimens.

2. Medical control of tissues and human body parts shall be implemented in accordance with Clause 2 Article 35 of this Decree or, as appropriate to the type of tissue or human body part involved, in accordance with the medical control applicable to corpses, bones, and body ash prescribed at Point a Clause 2 Article 39 of this Decree.

3. Medical control of a consignment of microorganism samples, or for a tissue or human body part, shall commence within 01 hour from the time the health quarantine organization requests medical control.

Sub-section 6.

HEALTH QUARANTINE ORGANIZATIONS, TECHNICAL REQUIREMENTS AND ORGANIZATION FOR HEALTH QUARANTINE IMPLEMENTATION

Article 45. Health quarantine organizations

1. The health quarantine organization under the specialized health agency of the provincial-level People's Committee shall have functions, duties, powers, and an organizational structure as guided by the Minister of Health.

2. The Chairperson of the provincial-level People's Committee where a border gate is located shall decide on the functions, duties, powers, and organizational structure of the health quarantine organization based on the guidance of the Minister of Health.

Article 46. Technical requirements and organization for health quarantine implementation

1. Technical requirements regarding facilities and equipment serving health quarantine activities at border gates include:

a) Locations, headquarters, offices for on-duty and administrative activities, accommodation rooms, and specialized and technical rooms for health quarantine;

b) Rooms for providing screening and medical control measures for persons suspected of having an infectious disease;

c) Rooms or areas for medical isolation of the subjects specified at Point c Clause 3 Article 14 of this Decree. Where the number of persons subject to medical isolation exceeds the capacity of the existing medical isolation facilities, temporary isolation areas shall be arranged;

d) Locations for inspection, surveillance, and communication equipment shall be arranged in accordance with the position of the health quarantine organization within the surveillance and inspection process for persons subject to health quarantine at the border gate;

dd) Isolation area for inspection and control for conveyances and cargoes;

e) Minimum equipment.

2. The Minister of Health shall prescribe the list of required facilities and equipment serving health quarantine activities at border gates.

3. The location of a health quarantine organization in the system of surveillance and inspection process for subjects of border health quarantine:

a) With regard to land border gates, the location of a health quarantine organization shall be determined in accordance with the Government's regulations on management of land border gates;

b) With regard to seaport border gates (including waterway border gates), airport border gates, and railway border gates, a health quarantine organization shall be located first in the surveillance and inspection process for subjects of health quarantine.

4. Where a locality develops, pilots, or implements a smart border gate model or other new models, and the implementation contents are not contrary to the provisions of this Decree, the provincial-level People's Committee or an agency authorized by the provincial-level People's Committee may proactively develop and organize the implementation of specific health quarantine procedures appropriate to such border gate models.

5. Health quarantine processes and procedures may be carried out electronically, including administrative procedures through the National Single Window Portal, the National Single Window mechanism, the ASEAN Single Window mechanism, and specialized inspection procedures for exported and imported goods.

6. Management and use of seals, digital signatures, and e-signatures in health quarantine:

a) The health quarantine seal is an official seal in English as prescribed in Form No. 16 provided in Appendix V to this Decree;

b) The health quarantine organization shall use the health quarantine seal to certify health quarantine results on the forms provided in Appendix V to this Decree;

c) The number of health quarantine seals issued within a province or city shall equal the total number of land border gates, seaport border gates, and airport border gates (hereinafter collectively referred to as border gates) performing health quarantine functions, plus the headquarters of the health quarantine organization. Where a border gate has multiple clearance lanes, exit points, entry points, export points, or import points, the head of the health quarantine organization shall determine the appropriate number of seals based on actual conditions;

d) The head of the health quarantine organization shall be responsible for the engraving, use, preservation, and management of seals; promulgation of regulations on seal use; and maintenance of a seal specimen register in accordance with Form No. 17 of Appendix V to this Decree;

dd) A health quarantine organization shall only use the seal carved by a seal manufacturer holding the certificate of eligibility for security and public order in accordance with applicable regulations;

e) The health quarantine organization shall submit a written report to the Ministry of Health within 07 working days from the date of completion of the craving of a new seal, re-craving of a seal, recovery, destruction, invalidation, or loss of a seal;

g) When having a new seal craved or a seal re-craved, the health quarantine organization shall establish and retain a dossier comprising: the written request sent to the seal manufacturer for seal carving or re-carving; letter of introduction for the person carrying out the procedures for seal carving or re-carving on behalf of the health quarantine organization; copy of the identity card or citizen identity card of the introduced person; written report to the Ministry of Health as prescribed at Point e of this Clause;

h) Digital signatures, e-signatures, and e-seals may be used for health quarantine activities in accordance with the law.

7. Symbols, insignias, name badges, cards and uniforms of health quarantine officers, and traditional flags used in the health quarantine system:

a) Symbols, insignias, name badges, cards and uniforms of health quarantine officers, and traditional flags used by health quarantine organizations, public employees, and long-term contract employees working at health quarantine organizations shall comply with Forms No. 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, and 23 in Appendix V to this Decree;

b) Organizations and individuals not affiliated with health quarantine organizations are not allowed to use symbols, insignias, name badges, cards and uniforms of health quarantine officers, and traditional flags similar to the ones of health quarantine organizations mentioned at Point a of this Clause;

c) Erasing, editing or lending of symbols, insignias, name badges, cards and uniforms of health quarantine officers, and traditional flags of health quarantine organizations for other purposes is prohibited;

d) Health quarantine organizations, public employees, and long-term contract employees working at health quarantine organizations shall preserve and properly use provided symbols, insignias, name badges, cards and uniforms of health quarantine officers, and traditional flags used in health quarantine. Any loss or damage thereof must be promptly reported to the managing agencies;

dd) Each public employee or long-term contract employee working at the health quarantine organization shall be provided, at a minimum, with: 02 sets of winter uniforms, 02 sets of summer uniforms, 01 belt, 01 raincoat, 01 pair of leather shoes, 02 pairs of stockings, 02 neckties, 02 sets of laboratory coats, and 02 field jacket for using during a year; 01 overcoat and 01 document case for using during 02 years; and 01 set of insignias, and 01 name badge for using during 05 years;

e) Public employees, and long-term contract employees are required to return name badges and health quarantine officer cards to their managing health quarantine organizations upon retirement, retirement due to loss of working capacity, transfer, resignation, termination of employment, or expiration of the employment contract. Uniforms that have been issued but have not yet reached the end of their prescribed service life shall not be recovered. Where the prescribed issuance period has expired but the item has not been issued, no retroactive issuance shall be made;

g) Funding for purchasing, printing and making symbols, insignias, name badges, cards and uniforms of health quarantine officers, and traditional flag of a health quarantine organization shall be covered by its annual budget expenditure estimates as approved by the competent authority in accordance with law;

h) The issuance, re-issuance, and revocation of name badges and health quarantine officer cards for personnel performing health quarantine duties shall be carried out in accordance with Article 47 of this Decree.

8. Responsibilities of specialized authorities at border gates:

a) The head of the border gate management board, the director of the port authority, the station master, or the head of the unit assigned to manage facilities at the border gate shall arrange and ensure facilities serving health quarantine activities at the border gate in accordance with Points a, b, c, d, and dd Clause 1 of this Article;

b) Customs offices and animal and plant quarantine agencies shall carry out health quarantine-related activities at the request of the health quarantine organization when conducting physical inspections of cargo consisting of animals, plants, food products, and other goods suspected of carrying or determined to carry infectious disease agents;

c) Specialized state management agencies at border gates may carry out entry, exit, and transit procedures for persons and conveyances; import, export, and transit procedures for cargo; and cross-border transport procedures for corpses, bones, body ash, microorganism samples, tissues, and human body parts within their functions and duties only after receiving confirmation from the health quarantine organization that health quarantine procedures have been completed in accordance with this Decree. Such agencies shall share information with the health quarantine organization regarding subjects of health quarantine specified in Clause 1 Article 20 of the Law on Disease Prevention;

d) Specialized state management agencies at border gates shall coordinate with the health quarantine organization at the border gate in infectious disease prevention and control activities.

9. Responsibilities of health quarantine organizations:

a) To act as the focal point for organizing and implementing health quarantine activities in accordance with this Decree;

b) The health quarantine organization at the border gate shall serve as the focal point for coordinating with relevant units in organizing surveillance and infectious disease prevention and control activities at the border gate; and in implementing health communication and health education measures on infectious disease prevention and control for travelers at border gates in accordance with the regulations and guidance of the Minister of Health;

c) To coordinate to implement health quarantine for cargo subject to animal quarantine or quarantine of animal products upon request of the animal quarantine agency;

d) To assume the prime responsibility for, or coordinate with the competent state agency in charge of food safety in, monitoring and inspecting compliance with food safety requirements at border gates as assigned by the competent agency;

dd) To supervise the disposal of waste, wastewater posing a risk of infectious diseases from conveyances and other contaminated substances within the border gate area;

e) To carry out activities to meet the capacity requirements at border gates under the International Health Regulations (IHR). Ton coordinate with concerned agencies of other countries and international organizations in infectious disease prevention and control activities at border gates;

g) To manage the health quarantine database system at border gates and sharing electronic data with state management agencies operating at border gates;

h) To provide information and submit reports on health quarantine activities in accordance with the guidance of the Minister of Health;

i) To organize and provide disease prevention services in accordance with law.

10. Responsibilities of health quarantine officers:

a) To carry out health quarantine activities in accordance with this Decree;

b) To wear suitable uniforms, insignias, name badges, and cards as regulated in Forms No. 19, 20, 21, and 23 of Appendix V to this Decree;

c) To enter areas where health quarantine subjects are located at border gates and comply with applicable law on national defense and security at border gates;

d) To certify health quarantine results and use the health quarantine seal in accordance with Clause 6 of this Article.

11. Responsibilities of health declarants:

a) To proactively report any normal health condition to the health quarantine organization at the point of entry, exit, or transit;

b) To complete health declarations fully and assume responsibility for the contents of the health declaration prescribed in this Decree; to not prepare or use fraudulent health declaration forms;

c) To comply with health quarantine activities in accordance with this Decree;

d) To pay health quarantine service charges in accordance with law.

Article 47. Issuance, re-issuance, and revocation of health quarantine officer cards and name badges

1. The specialized health agency under the provincial-level People's Committee shall issue, re-issue, and revoke health quarantine officer cards and name badges within locality and shall be responsible for managing the health quarantine officer cards and name badges that have been issued.

2. Issuance of health quarantine officer cards and name badges.

A person to whom a health quarantine officer card and name badge are issued must satisfy the following requirements:

a) Be assigned by the head of a health quarantine organization to perform health quarantine duties;

b) Have completed at least one training course on professional knowledge, technical skills, and legal regulations on health quarantine for the purpose of issuance of a health quarantine officer card, organized by a specialized health agency under or affiliated with the Ministry of Health within the 05-year period preceding the date of issuance of the card;

c) Have a written request for issuance of a health quarantine officer card and name badge from the directly managing unit.

3. Re-issuance of health quarantine officer cards and name badges.

A health quarantine officer card or name badge remain valid shall be re-issued in the following cases:

a) The health quarantine officer card or name badge is lost or damaged;

b) Information shown on the health quarantine officer card or name badge changes due to changes in administrative units or personal information;

c) Other necessary cases as requested by the directly managing unit.

4. Revocation of health quarantine officer cards and name badges.

A health quarantine officer card or name badge shall be revoked in the following cases:

a) The person to whom the health quarantine officer card and name badge were issued no longer performs health quarantine duties;

b) The health quarantine officer retires, resigns, transfers to another position, or has his/her employment contract terminated;

c) Other cases as prescribed by a law.

5. Validity period of health quarantine officer cards and name badges.

a) A health quarantine officer card and name badge shall be valid for a period of 05 years;

b) Health quarantine officer cards and name badges issued before July 01, 2026, shall continue to be used until their expiration date.

Section 5

IMMUNIZATION

Article 48. State budget assurance for compulsory immunization through activities of the Expanded Program on Immunization and epidemic-control immunization

1. Subjects of compulsory immunization:

Subjects under the Expanded Program on Immunization: children, pregnant women; persons at risk of contracting infectious diseases included in the list of infectious diseases for which vaccines and medical bio-products are available under the Expanded Program on Immunization;

b) Subjects of epidemic-control immunization: Persons at risk of contracting infectious diseases in epidemic zones or zones at the risk of an epidemic; medical personnel directly participating in the examination and treatment of persons suffering from infectious diseases; persons directly participating in surveillance, investigation and handling of outbreaks; workers in laboratory centers in contact with agents of infectious disease causing epidemics;

c) Other subjects and the roadmap for expansion of vaccines and medical bio-products under the Expanded Program on Immunization as decided by the Prime Minister on the basis of the proposal of the Ministry of Health, in conformity with the list of diseases specified at Point a Clause 4 Article 22 of the Law on Disease Prevention;

d) The Ministry of Health shall provide guidance on determination of immunization subjects among persons at risk of contracting infectious diseases in each specific epidemic or infectious disease case;

dd) Specialized health agencies under the Ministry of National Defence and the Ministry of Public Security shall provide guidance on determination of immunization subjects within their scope of management.

2. The State budget shall ensure funding for:

a) Procurement and organization of the use of compulsory vaccines and medical bio-products for subjects through activities of the Expanded Program on Immunization and epidemic-control immunization;

b) Investment in, and maintenance and operation of, the cold chain system for the Expanded Program on Immunization and epidemic-control immunization;

c) Information, education and communication, inspection and supervision of immunization activities, expenses for training and scientific research for application of new techniques and new methods in immunization;

d) Compensation in cases where subjects of compulsory immunization under the Expanded Program on Immunization and epidemic-control immunization suffer adverse events that seriously affect their health or life.

3. The central budget shall be allocated within the current expenditure budget of the Ministry of Health to ensure funding for the following activities in the Expanded Program on Immunization:

a) Procurement of vaccines and medical bio-products for subjects under the Expanded Program on Immunization;

b) Testing of vaccines and medical bio-products;

c) Receipt, transportation, and storage of vaccines and medical bio-products to provinces and cities;

d) Information, education and communication, expenses for training and scientific research for application of new techniques and new methods in immunization; and monitoring and evaluation of the effectiveness of vaccines and medical bio-products at the central level;

dd) Compensation in case the use of vaccines and medical bio-products results in serious adverse events affecting the health or life of vaccinated persons at immunization establishments under Ministries and central agencies;

In cases where adverse events arising from the use of vaccines and medical bio-products at local immunization establishments are determined to be caused by the quality of vaccines and medical bio-products, the inherent characteristics of vaccines and medical bio-products, or errors in the storage and transportation of vaccines and medical bio-products from the central level to provinces and cities, the central budget shall allocate funding for compensation.

4. For emerging, re-emerging infectious diseases or diseases caused by virus variants for which vaccines and medical bio-products are not yet available in Vietnam; in urgent cases, epidemic emergency state, or level-3 civil defense situations, the Ministry of Health shall assume the prime responsibility for, and coordinate with relevant agencies in, reporting to the Government for consideration and permission to apply special mechanisms in the procurement, importation, testing, and use of vaccines funded by the central budget.

5. Local budgets:

a) Ensure funding for the organization and implementation of immunization and compensation in localities, and other activities under the Expanded Program on Immunization, except for those already covered by the central budget as prescribed in Clause 3 of this Article; procurement of vaccines and medical bio-products and organization of epidemic-control immunization activities in their localities when epidemics or outbreaks occur;

b) In case a locality is unable to balance its budget, the central budget shall provide the target transfer to ensure the procurement of vaccines and medical bio-products for epidemic-control immunization according to the epidemic situation and the actual needs of the locality.

Article 49. Conditions for immunization establishments

Immunization establishments must satisfy regulations on technical characteristics and management requirements in accordance with the law regulations on standards and technical regulations or professional and technical guidance of the Minister of Health.

Article 50. Cases eligible for compensation upon use of vaccines and medical bio-products under the Expanded Program on Immunization and epidemic-control immunization

1. Subjects of compulsory immunization as prescribed in Clause 1 Article 48 of this Decree must participate in immunization; in case adverse events occur that seriously affect their health or life, they shall be compensated by the State.

2. Cases eligible for compensation by the State as prescribed in Clause 1 of this Article include:

a) Vaccinated persons who suffer a serious adverse event following immunization resulting in sequelae leading to disability;

b) Vaccinated persons who die.

Article 51. Damages, scope and compensation levels upon use of vaccines and medical bio-products under the Expanded Program on Immunization and epidemic-control immunization

1. A vaccinated person suffering a damage resulting in sequelae leading to disability shall receive an amount equal to 30 times the statutory pay rate in compensation and the expenses prescribed in Clause 3 and Clause 4 of this Article.

2. In the event that a vaccinated person dies, support shall be provided as follows:

a) The expenses prescribed in Clause 3 of this Article incurred prior to death;

b) Burial expenses equal to 10 times the base salary prescribed by the State;

c) Compensation for the mental sufferings of VND 100,000,000 for the relatives of the deceased person;

d) Expenses arising due to lost or reduced income as prescribed in Clause 4 of this Article.

3. Expenses arising from medical examination and treatment at medical examination and treatment establishments:

a) In case a vaccinated person eligible for State compensation undergoes medical examination and treatment at medical examination and treatment establishments, payment of expenses for medical examination and treatment and rehabilitation shall comply with the law regulations on medical examination and treatment. For persons holding health insurance cards, the health insurance fund shall pay expenses within the scope of entitlements and benefits in accordance with the law regulations on health insurance. The co-payment portion and expenses falling outside the scope of entitlements and benefits shall be paid by the state budget based on invoices or statements of expenses certified by the medical examination and treatment establishments. The state budget shall pay expenses for persons without health insurance cards based on invoices and statements of expenses certified by the medical examination and treatment establishments;

b) In case a vaccinated person eligible for State compensation is hospitalized for treatment and, during the course of treatment, other concomitant diseases unrelated to immunization are detected, such person shall pay the expenses for medical examination and treatment of those diseases in accordance with the law on prices of medical examination and treatment services; in case the person holds a health insurance card, payment of expenses for medical examination and treatment of those diseases shall comply with the law regulations on health insurance.

4. Damage arising due to lost or reduced income:

a) For material damage, support shall be provided for 01 person who must take unpaid leave from work to care for a person eligible for State compensation, at the salary used as a basis for payment of social insurance premiums of the month immediately preceding such leave, as follows:

b) If the actual income of the person caring for a person eligible for State compensation cannot be determined, the support amount shall be determined as follows:

c) In case the vaccinated person eligible for State compensation is an employee or a person working without industrial relations as prescribed by the labor law regulation, such person shall be provided support for actual income lost or reduced during the treatment period. The support amount shall be determined in the same manner as the support amount for a caregiver prescribed at Point a and Point b of this Clause.

Article 52. Determination of cases eligible for compensation upon use of vaccines and medical bio-products under the Expanded Program on Immunization and epidemic-control immunization

1. Within 05 working days from the receipt of the investigation report on a serious adverse event following immunization, the specialized health agency under the provincial-level People's Committee shall prepare a complete dossier as prescribed in Clause 2 of this Article and convene a meeting of the professional advisory council for assessment of causes of serious adverse events occurring during the use of vaccines and medical bio-products in the locality (hereinafter referred to as the “provincial-level professional advisory council”).

2. A dossier for a meeting of the provincial-level professional advisory council to assess and determine the cause of the adverse event and determine cases eligible for compensation include:

a) Investigation form for the serious adverse event case;

b) Report on the serious adverse event;

c) Medical records (if any);

d) Documents determining the degree of disability (if any);

dd) Other relevant documents (if any).

3. The provincial-level professional advisory council shall convene to:

a) Assess and conclude on the cause of the serious adverse event following immunization;

b) Determine cases eligible for compensation in accordance with Clause 3 Article 23 of the Law on Disease Prevention and Article 50 of this Decree;

c) Determine the responsibilities of organizations and individuals related to the serious adverse event following immunization.

4. Within 24 hours from the time of the meeting minutes of the provincial-level professional advisory council, the head of the specialized health agency under the provincial-level People's Committee shall:

a) Publicly announce and report to the Ministry of Health on the cause of the serious adverse event following immunization; notify the vaccinated person or the relatives of the vaccinated person who suffered the serious adverse event following immunization of the cause of the adverse event;

b) Notify the vaccinated person or the relatives of the vaccinated person eligible for State compensation (if any).

5. In necessary cases, the Ministry of Health shall convene a meeting of the professional advisory council of the Ministry of Health to reassess the conclusions of the provincial-level professional advisory council.

6. In case the vaccinated person or the relatives of the vaccinated person are notified that the case is eligible for State compensation, the specialized health agency under the provincial-level People's Committee shall coordinate with the vaccinated person or the relatives of the vaccinated person in determining the damages, scope and compensation levels upon use of vaccines and medical bio-products under the Expanded Program on Immunization and epidemic-control immunization in accordance with Article 51 of this Decree, and shall issue a decision on compensation settlement in accordance with Article 54 of this Decree within 10 working days.

7. The Minister of Health shall prescribe the establishment, organization and operation of the professional advisory council for assessment of causes of serious adverse events occurring during the use of vaccines and medical bio-products.

Article 53. Determination of cases eligible for compensation upon use of vaccines and medical bio-products under the Expanded Program on Immunization and epidemic-control immunization at the request of the vaccinated persons or the relatives of the vaccinated persons

1. A vaccinated person or his/her relative considering that he/she or the relative fall within the cases prescribed in Article 50 of this Decree shall prepare and submit a dossier of request for confirmation of the cause of the adverse event to the specialized health agency under the provincial-level People's Committee. Such a dossier includes the following documents:

a) Application for determination of the cause of the adverse event;

b) Documents evidencing immunization with the relevant vaccine or medical bio-product;

c) Hospital discharge paper, payment invoice or statement of expenses certified by the hospital regarding expenses for medical examination and treatment, rehabilitation, and transportation of the patient;

d) Death certificate (in case of death);

dd) Other relevant papers proving the adverse event or other damages (if any).

2. Within 05 working days from the date of receipt of the application and valid documents, if the request falls within its competence for settlement, the specialized health agency under the provincial-level People's Committee shall accept the application and notify the victim or his/her relative (hereinafter referred to as the victim) in writing of the acceptance of the application. In case the dossier is incomplete, the specialized health agency under the provincial-level People's Committee shall send the victim written guidance on supplementation of the dossier.

3. Within 15 days from the date of receipt of the application of the victim, the specialized health agency under the provincial-level People's Committee shall prepare a complete dossier as prescribed in Clause 2 Article 52 of this Decree and convene a meeting of the provincial-level professional advisory council to determine the cause of the adverse event and determine whether the case is eligible for compensation, and shall notify the applicant in writing thereof and concurrently report on it to the Ministry of Health.

4. In case the vaccinated person is concluded to be eligible for compensation, the head of the specialized health agency under the provincial-level People's Committee shall send a notification in accordance with Clause 4 Article 52 of this Decree and concurrently determine the compensation level and issue a decision on compensation settlement in accordance with Article 54 of this Decree.

Article 54. Decision on compensation settlement

1. A decision on compensation settlement shall contain the following principal contents:

a) Name and address of the compensated person;

b) Summary of the grounds for compensation;

c) Compensation amount;

d) Effect of the decision on compensation settlement.

2. The decision on compensation settlement shall be sent to the victim, the person at fault, or the agency or organization at fault causing the damage (if any).

3. The decision on compensation settlement shall take effect after 15 days, from the date on which the victim receives the decision, except where the victim disagrees and lodges a complaint with the agency issuing the decision on compensation settlement, or where the complaint settlement is unsatisfactory and the victim files a lawsuit at a court.

Article 55. Order and procedures for allocation and payment of compensation

1. For cases eligible for compensation prescribed in Article 50 and Point dd Clause 3 Article 48 of this Decree:

a) Within 05 working days from the date on which the decision on compensation settlement takes effect, the specialized health agency under the provincial-level People's Committee where the immunization establishment is headquartered shall send a written request to the Ministry of Health for allocation of funds for compensation, enclosed with the effective decision on compensation settlement;

b) Within 10 days from the date of receipt of the written request for allocation of funds for compensation, the Ministry of Health shall allocate funds to the specialized health agency under the provincial-level People's Committee where the immunization establishment is headquartered for compensation payment to the victim;

c) Within 05 working days from the date of receipt of funds allocated by the Ministry of Health, the specialized health agency under the provincial-level People's Committee where the immunization establishment is headquartered shall make compensation payment to the victim.

2. For cases eligible for compensation prescribed in Article 50 that do not fall within those eligible for compensation prescribed at Point dd Clause 3 Article 48 of this Decree: Within 05 working days from the date on which the decision on compensation settlement takes effect, the provincial-level People's Committee where the immunization establishment is headquartered shall make compensation payment to the victim.

3. Compensation shall be paid in a lump sum in cash to the victim or by bank transfer at the request of the victim. In case the victim requests payment by bank transfer, such payment shall be made under the request and notified to the victim in writing. In case compensation is paid in cash, the victim shall be notified at least 02 days in advance. The record of the compensation payment shall be made in 02 copies, each party retaining 01 copy.

Article 56. Procedures and responsibility for reimbursement

1. Within 05 working days from the date of the conclusion of the provincial-level professional advisory council, the specialized health agency under the provincial-level People's Committee shall issue a decision on request for reimbursement to the State.

2. Such a decision shall contain the following principal contents:

a) Name and address of the organization or individual at fault causing the damage;

b) Summary of the grounds for requiring reimbursement;

c) Reimbursement amount;

d) Effectiveness of the decision on request for reimbursement to the State;

dd) Agency or unit receiving the reimbursement.

3. The decision on request for reimbursement to the State shall be sent to the organization or individual causing the damage.

4. The decision on request for reimbursement to the State shall take effect after 15 days from the date on which the organization or individual receives the decision, except where such organization or individual disagrees and files a lawsuit at a court.

5. The organization or individual causing the damage as prescribed in Clause 2 of this Article shall be responsible for paying the reimbursement amount to the Ministry of Health in cases where compensation is paid from the central budget as prescribed in Clause 1 Article 55 of this Decree, or to the provincial-level People's Committee in cases where compensation is paid from the local budget as prescribed in Clause 2 Article 55 of this Decree, and shall submit the receipt to the agency issuing the decision on request for reimbursement.

6. In case a competent agency has issued a decision on request for reimbursement and the organization or individual causing the damage fails to comply therewith, such organization or individual shall be handled in accordance with law regulations.

Article 57. Determination of cases eligible for compensation upon use of vaccines and medical bio-products not under the Expanded Program on Immunization and epidemic-control immunization

Determination of cases eligible for compensation upon use of vaccines and medical bio-products not under the Expanded Program on Immunization and epidemic-control immunization shall be carried out in accordance with the law regulation on compensation for non-contractual damage under the Civil Code and other relevant law regulations.

Article 58. Responsibilities of People's Committees at all levels for directing the organization of immunization within their localities

1. Responsibilities of a provincial-level People’s Committee:

a) Direct the specialized health agency under the provincial-level People's Committee to: develop plans and organize the implementation of the Expanded Program on Immunization and epidemic-control immunization within the locality; submit to the provincial-level People's Committee for approval the demand for vaccines and medical bio-products for implementation of the Expanded Program on Immunization for the subsequent 03-year period and the following year for submission to the Ministry of Health before May 30 every year;

b) Ensure resources for activities under the Expanded Program on Immunization and epidemic-control immunization, except for activities funded by the central budget as prescribed in Clause 3 Article 48 of this Decree;

c) Ensure funding for procurement of vaccines and medical bio-products for epidemic-control immunization within the locality. In case the locality is unable to balance its budget, the provincial-level People's Committee shall report on it to the Ministry of Finance for submission to competent authorities for approval of the target transfer from the central budget to ensure the procurement of vaccines and medical bio-products for epidemic control according to the epidemic situation and the actual needs of the locality;

d) Direct the specialized health agency under the provincial-level People's Committee to decide on immunization establishments authorized to conduct routine immunization, catch-up immunization, and proactive campaign-based immunization under the Expanded Program on Immunization and epidemic-control immunization in the locality;

dd) Organize inspection, examination, and handling of violations related to immunization activities within the locality. Direct the specialized health agency under the provincial-level People's Committee or the unit delegated or authorized to organize the inspection on immunization safety for immunization establishments within the locality at least once every 02 years. During the examination of immunization establishments, if an immunization establishment is found not to satisfy the prescribed requirements, the examination team shall make minutes on suspension of operation and recommend competent authorities decide on handling measures in accordance with law regulations, and concurrently send 01 copy of the minutes to the specialized health agency under the provincial-level People's Committee where the immunization establishment is headquartered.

2. Responsibilities of a commune-level People’s Committee:

a) Develop plans and organize the implementation of the Expanded Program on Immunization and epidemic-control immunization within the locality;

b) Direct the commune-level health station to coordinate with the commune-level police agency and socio-political organizations within the locality in reviewing and compiling lists of immunization subjects in the locality, ensuring accuracy and timeliness;

c) Organize inspection and supervision of immunization activities within the locality.

Section 6

BIOSAFETY IN TESTING

Article 59. Classification of infectious microorganisms by risk group

1. Microorganisms posing a risk of causing infectious diseases in humans shall be classified into 04 risk groups as follows:

a) Risk group 1 (no or low individual and community risk) includes microorganisms that are unlikely to cause human disease;

a) Risk group 2 (moderate individual risk, low community risk) includes microorganisms that can cause human disease but are unlikely to cause serious disease, can spread between people, and for which effective measures for transmission prevention and control and treatment are available in case of infection;

c) Risk group 3 (high individual risk, moderate community risk) includes microorganisms that can cause serious human disease, can spread between people, and for which effective measures for transmission prevention and control and treatment are available in case of infection;

d) Risk group 4 (high individual and community risk) includes microorganisms that can cause serious human disease, can spread between people, and for which effective measures for transmission prevention and control and treatment are not available in case of infection.

2. The Minister of Health shall prescribe the list of infectious microorganisms by risk group.

Article 60. Classification of laboratories by biosafety level

1. Laboratories are classified into 03 biosafety levels as follows:

a) A biosafety level I laboratory may perform testing and manage specimens containing or suspected of containing infectious disease agents, consistent with the testing techniques and conditions applicable to a biosafety level I laboratory;

b) A biosafety level II laboratory may perform testing and manage specimens containing or suspected of containing infectious disease agents, consistent with the testing techniques and conditions applicable to biosafety level I and biosafety level II laboratories;

c) A biosafety level III laboratory may perform testing and manage specimens containing or suspected of containing infectious disease agents, consistent with the testing techniques and conditions applicable to biosafety level I, biosafety level II and biosafety level III laboratories.

2. The Minister of Health shall prescribe biosafety levels appropriate to testing techniques.

3. A laboratory center having a biosafety laboratory must satisfy regulations on technical characteristics and management requirements in accordance with the law regulations on standards and technical regulations or professional and technical guidance of the Minister of Health.

Article 61. Practice of biosafety in testing and testing in infectious disease surveillance, prevention and control

1. The biosafety level of a laboratory shall comply with Clause 1 Article 60 of this Decree.

2. The practice of biosafety in testing shall comply with the Minister of Health’s regulations.

3. Testing in infectious disease surveillance, prevention and control may use medical products for research use only (RUO) and products for laboratory use only (LUO), and shall only be conducted at units and organizations having functions and duties relating to infectious disease surveillance, prevention and control.

Article 62. Ensuring of safety for persons collecting specimens, conducting testing, and other related persons in testing not conducted in laboratory centers

1. Comply with regulations on biosafety practices in testing as prescribed in Clause 2 Article 61 of this Decree.

2. Comply with regulations on collection, management, use and destruction of specimens as prescribed in Article 63 of this Decree.

Article 63. Management of specimens

1. Laboratory centers shall comply with regulations on specimen management.

2. The Minister of Health shall prescribe the management of infectious disease specimens.

Article 64. Biological risk assessment, risk control measures in laboratories, and protection of workers of laboratory centers

1. Biosafety level I, biosafety level II and biosafety level III laboratories shall conduct biological risk assessment by themselves to ensure biosafety, apply appropriate risk control measures in accordance with the guidance of the Minister of Health, and implement measures for prevention, handling and remediation of biosafety incidents as prescribed in Clause 2 of this Article.

2. Prevention, handling and remediation of biosafety incidents:

a) Levels of biosafety incidents include:

A minor biosafety incident means an incident occurring within a laboratory center but posing little risk of infection to testing personnel, and the laboratory center has sufficient capacity to control it;

A serious biosafety incident means an incident occurring within a laboratory center but posing a high risk of infection to testing personnel and the community, or an incident that the laboratory center does not have sufficient capacity to control;

b) Prevention of biosafety incidents:

A biosafety laboratory center shall be responsible for formulating a biosafety incident prevention plan and a biosafety incident handling plan, including the following principal contents: identification of risks of biosafety incidents occurring at the laboratory center; measures, equipment and personnel necessary for incident handling; plan on coordination with relevant agencies for responding to biosafety incidents; training for its personnel on measures for prevention and handling of biosafety incidents;

On an annual basis, a biosafety level III laboratory center shall organize drills on prevention, handling and remediation of biosafety incidents;

c) Handling and remediation of biosafety incidents:

Professional matters relating to the handling and remediation of biosafety incidents shall be carried out in accordance with the guidance of the specialized health agencies;

In case an incident occurring at a biosafety level II or biosafety level III laboratory center spreads widely and has a major impact on the community or national security, the handling and remediation of the incident shall be carried out in accordance with the law regulations on states of emergency.

3. The protection of workers at laboratory centers must fully comply with measures relating to biosafety practices in testing, specimen management, prevention, handling and remediation of biosafety incidents as prescribed in Article 62, Article 63 of this Decree and Clause 2 of this Article.

Article 65. Inspection of biosafety

1. Contents: Examination of compliance with the law regulations on biosafety in testing.

2. Responsibilities of laboratory centers: Laboratory centers shall be responsible for formulating and organizing the implementation of internal biosafety examination regulations appropriate to their characteristics, examination procedures and examination schedule.

3. Responsibilities of the specialized health agencies under provincial-level People's Committees:

a) Conduct, or delegate or authorize the conduction of, periodic examination at least once a year or ad hoc examination of compliance with the law regulations on biosafety in testing by laboratory centers;

b) During the examination process, if a laboratory center is found not to comply with the law regulations on biosafety in testing, they must take handling measures or send recommendations for handling to competent state management agencies in accordance with law regulations.

Section 7

BIOSECURITY IN TESTING

Article 66. Technical requirements for ensuring biosecurity in testing

1. laboratory centers shall satisfy the following minimum requirements for ensuring biosecurity:

a) Having written regulations on access control to testing areas;

b) Complying with regulations on collection, storage, packaging, retention, use, exchange, destruction and transportation of infectious disease specimens as prescribed by the Minister of Health.

2. A laboratory center retaining specimens containing agents on the List of infectious disease agents requiring biosecurity assurance shall satisfy the following requirements:

a) The requirements prescribed in Clause 1 of this Article;

b) Facilities and access control:

Having fences or walls to protect against unauthorized intrusion;

Rooms or equipment used for retaining specimens containing agents on the List of infectious disease agents requiring biosecurity assurance shall be locked and located in controlled areas;

Areas or cabinets storing data related to specimens containing agents on the List of infectious disease agents requiring biosecurity assurance shall be locked; computers storing such data shall install the user authentication for access;

c) Personnel:

Having at least 01 worker assigned to be responsible for biosecurity assurance and trained in biosecurity assurance;

Having a written authorization specifying personnel permitted to access specimens containing agents and related data;

Relevant workers shall be informed of biosecurity assurance;

d) Biosecurity practices:

Having a list of specimens containing agents retained at the laboratory center; the list of specimens shall be updated whenever changes occur;

Having and implementing regulations on supervision of persons who are not the laboratory’s workers when present in areas of laboratory;

Having and implementing procedures for biosecurity risk assessment; formulating and implementing risk control plans in accordance with Clause 1 and Clause 2 Article 67 of this Decree;

Having and implementing regulations on conducting an inventory at least once a year of specimens containing agents; equipment used for testing specimens containing agents; and equipment used for preserving and retaining specimens containing agents. Inventory information shall include at least the following contents: the list of specimens containing agents; names of equipment, custodians and persons authorized to access such equipment; storage locations and quantities retained; reporting the list of specimens containing agents in accordance with Clause 3 Article 67 of this Decree;

Having and implementing procedures for backup and protection of data related to specimens containing agents;

Having and implementing procedures for treatment of waste containing agents before removal of it from the laboratory center;

Having and implementing procedures for internal biosecurity examination at least once a year;

Having and implementing procedures for transportation and transfer of specimens containing agents within the establishment and outside with the written approval of the head of the laboratory center; in case of transfer, the receiving establishment must satisfy the prescribed biosecurity assurance requirements.

3. The Minister of Health shall prescribe the List of infectious disease agents requiring biosecurity assurance.

Article 67. Risk assessment and application of biosecurity risk control measures

1. A laboratory center shall conduct a biosecurity risk assessment at least once a year and whenever there are changes in personnel, facilities, equipment, technical procedures, or upon receipt of specimens containing new agents.

2. A laboratory center shall formulate plans and implement risk control measures appropriate to the results of the risk assessment.

3. The Minister of Health shall provide guidance on reporting, risk assessment, and biosecurity risk control measures.

Article 68. Examination and supervision of compliance with requirements for ensuring biosecurity in testing

1. Contents: Examination of compliance with requirements for ensuring biosecurity in testing.

2. Responsibilities of laboratory centers: Laboratory centers shall be responsible for formulating and organizing the implementation of internal biosecurity examination regulations appropriate to their characteristics, examination procedures and examination schedule.

3. Responsibilities of the specialized health agencies under provincial-level People's Committees:

a) Conduct, or delegate or authorize the conduction of, periodic examination at least once a year or ad hoc examination of laboratory centers within their localities regarding compliance with requirements for ensuring biosecurity in testing;

b) During the examination process, if a laboratory center is found not to comply with requirements for ensuring biosecurity in testing, it shall be required to take corrective measures or to destroy or transfer specimens containing agents on the List of infectious disease agents to another establishment that satisfies the requirements for ensuring biosecurity for receipt and storage.

Chapter IV

SCOPE, SUBJECTS, PRIORITY ROADMAP, IMPLEMENTING ESTABLISHMENTS, AND FUNDING SOURCES FOR IMPLEMENTATION OF THE POLICY ON FREE HEALTH SCREENINGS OR PERIODIC HEALTH CHECKS

Article 69. Scope and subjects of free health screenings or periodic health checks

1. The scope of professional contents (list of services) of free health screenings, periodic health checks shall comply with the professional guidance of the Minister of Health.

2. Subjects entitled to the policy on free health screenings, periodic health checks at least once a year include:

a) Elderly, persons with disabilities, persons in poor households or near-poverty households, persons with meritorious services, persons with chronic diseases, persons living in ethnic minority and mountainous areas, areas with difficult or extremely difficult socio-economic conditions, island communes and special zones, and not falling under Points b, c and d of this Clause;

b) Children in early childhood education institutions and students in general education institutions;

c) Employees;

d) Subjects under the management of the Ministry of National Defence and the Ministry of Public Security;

dd) Subjects other than those defined at Point a, Point b, Point c and Point d of this Clause.

Article 70. Priority roadmap for free health screenings or periodic health checks

1. From 2026:

a) Provincial-level People's Committees shall organize free health screenings or periodic health checks at least once a year for the subjects prescribed at Point a Clause 2 Article 69 of this Decree;

b) Education institutions shall continue to organize health checks at the beginning of the school year for the subjects prescribed at Point b Clause 2 Article 69 of this Decree in accordance with the law regulations on school health works;

c) Employers shall continue to organize periodic health checks and occupational disease examinations for employees under their management as prescribed at Point c Clause 2 Article 69 of this Decree in accordance with the law regulations on occupational safety and health;

d) The Ministry of Public Security and the Ministry of National Defence shall continue to organize periodic health checks for the subjects prescribed at Point d Clause 2 Article 69 of this Decree in accordance with law regulations;

dd) Based on budget-balancing capacity and lawful mobilized resources, provincial-level People's Committees shall organize free health screenings or periodic health checks for the subjects prescribed at Point dd Clause 2 Article 69 of this Decree.

2. The organization of free health screenings or periodic health checks at least once a year for the subjects prescribed in Clause 2 Article 69 of this Decree shall be carried out in coordination with occupational disease examinations, health checks, periodic health checks, health screenings, health checks at the beginning of the school year, or health insurance-covered medical examination and treatment activities in accordance with law regulations in order to provide free medical examinations and complete the formulation of electronic health records for the entire population.

3. Based on socio-economic conditions in each period, local budget-balancing capacity and lawful mobilized resources, provincial-level local administrations shall, within their competence, decide on the expansion of the scope of professional contents of free health screenings or periodic health checks within their localities.

Article 71. Establishments organizing free health screenings, periodic health checks

1. An establishment organizing periodic health checks shall be a medical examination and treatment establishment that satisfies the conditions for conducting health checks in accordance with the law regulations on medical examination and treatment.

2. An establishment organizing health screenings shall be a medical examination and treatment establishment whose scope of professional activities is appropriate to the contents of the screening.

3. The organization of periodic health checks or health screenings shall be carried out at medical examination and treatment establishments or in the form of mobile medical examination and treatment.

4. Establishments organizing health checks at the beginning of the school year for the subjects prescribed at Point b Clause 2 Article 69 of this Decree shall comply with the law regulations on school health works.

Article 72. Funding sources for implementation of the policy on free health screenings or periodic health checks

Funding sources for implementation of the policy on free health screenings or periodic health checks shall comply with Clause 2 Article 27 of the Law on Prevention of Diseases, of which:

1. The state budget shall cover expenses for the subjects prescribed at Point a, Point d and Point dd Clause 2 Article 69 of this Decree in accordance with the current budget decentralization.

2. Funding for health checks at the beginning of the school year for the subjects prescribed at Point b Clause 2 Article 69 of this Decree shall comply with the laws on school health works.

3. Employers shall pay the costs of periodic health checks for their employees prescribed at Point c Clause 2 Article 69 of this Decree in accordance with the labor laws and the laws on occupational safety and health.

4. The health insurance fund shall cover expenses for certain subjects among the subjects prescribed at Point a and Point dd Clause 2 Article 69 of this Decree and according to the priority roadmap, in line with the roadmap for increasing health insurance premium rates and the balancing capacity of the health insurance fund; the state budget shall pay for the subjects and the portion of costs not yet covered by the health insurance fund.

Article 73. Formulation of cost estimates for free health screenings or periodic health checks funded by the state budget

1. Based on the list of subjects prescribed at Point a and Point dd Clause 2 Article 69 of this Decree, the implementation roadmap, the scope of professional contents of free health screenings or periodic health checks, and the health insurance-covered medical examination and treatment service prices of the medical examination and treatment establishment where the examinations are expected to be conducted, the provincial-level People's Committee shall direct the formulation of cost estimates for periodic health checks or health screenings, with the total cost not exceeding VND 350,000/person/examination/year.

2. Based on the capacity of the state budget and socio-economic conditions in each period, the Minister of Health shall propose adjustments to the list of services for free health screenings and periodic health checks for the population and report to the Prime Minister for adjustment of the total cost of free health screenings or periodic health checks for the population prescribed in Clause 1 of this Article.

3. Based on the balancing capacity of the local budget and actual circumstances, provincial-level People's Councils shall, within their competence, decide on increase in the total cost of free health screenings or periodic health checks for the population prescribed in Clause 1 of this Article.

Article 74. Organization of free health screenings or periodic health checks

1. Agencies, enterprises, organizations, or individuals employing employees as prescribed in Clauses 1, 2 and 3 Article 2 of the 2015 Law on Occupational Safety and Health shall organize the review and preparation of lists of employees under their management; allocate funding; and refer or guide employees to commune-level health stations, medical examination and treatment establishments where employees register for initial health insurance-covered medical examination and treatment, or other medical examination and treatment establishments as prescribed, to undergo free health screenings or periodic health checks.

2. The specialized health agencies under provincial-level People's Committees shall formulate plans and submit them to provincial-level People's Committees to organize the review and preparation of lists of residents under their management within the localities (excluding the subjects prescribed in Clause 1 of this Article); and refer or guide residents to commune-level health stations, medical examination and treatment establishments where they register for initial health insurance-covered medical examination and treatment, or other medical examination and treatment establishments as prescribed, to undergo free health screenings or periodic health checks.

3. In case a commune-level health station does not satisfy the conditions for conducting periodic health checks as prescribed, the commune-level People's Committee or the specialized health agency under the provincial-level People's Committee shall direct medical examination and treatment establishments in the locality to proactively coordinate and provide professional support, or designate the commune-level health station as a location for mobile health checks in accordance with regulations.

4. Medical examination and treatment establishments shall:

a) Receive, categorize priority groups, and arrange appropriate examination to avoid overcrowding, and facilitate access of the population;

b) Conduct all examination contents in accordance with the professional guidance of the Ministry of Health in order to assess health status or classify health conditions; promptly detect disease risks and persons with diseases by subject group; and provide consultation on referral to appropriate medical examination and treatment establishments for timely examination and treatment;

c) Consolidate and evaluate examination results and formulate electronic health records; transmit, share and interconnect data on free health screenings or periodic health checks between the databases on free health screenings or periodic health checks and specialized health databases and the health insurance assessment information system; and integrate such data into the VNeID application in accordance with law regulations;

d) Comply with the Law on Medical Examination and Treatment, the Law on Prevention of Diseases, the Law on Health Insurance, and guiding documents on free health screenings or periodic health checks.

5. Commune-level People's Committees shall direct affiliated health agencies to organize free health screenings and periodic health checks within their localities; and annually report implementation plans and implementation results to provincial-level People's Committees and the specialized health agencies under provincial-level People's Committees.

6. Provincial-level People's Committees shall direct their provincial-level specialized health agencies to consolidate information and formulate implementation plans; provide professional, technical and human resource support; inspect and supervise the organization of free health screenings and periodic health checks; and report provincial implementation results to the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Finance on an annual basis.

7. The Ministry of Health shall promulgate standards and formats of output data serving free health screenings and periodic health checks.

CHAPTER V

ORGANIZATION OF EARLY DETECTION, PREVENTION, AND MANAGEMENT OF NONINFECTIOUS DISEASES IN THE COMMUNITY

Article 75. Organization of early detection of noninfectious diseases in the community

1. For children, pupils and students, early detection of noninfectious diseases shall be carried out during health checks at the beginning of the school year, periodic health checks, disease and disorder screenings, and medical examination and treatment.

2. For employees and subjects under the management of the Ministry of National Defence and the Ministry of Public Security, early detection of noninfectious diseases shall be integrated into periodic health checks, occupational disease examinations, and medical examination and treatment.

3. For the elderly, early detection of noninfectious diseases shall be carried out during periodic health checks, health screenings, and medical examination and treatment.

4. For other groups in the community, early detection of noninfectious diseases shall be carried out during periodic health checks, health screenings, and medical examination and treatment.

Article 76. Organization of prevention of noninfectious diseases in the community

1. Measures for prevention of noninfectious diseases in the community include:

a) Prevention and control of risk factors;

b) Health communication, health education, and counseling on personal behavior change;

c) Prophylactic treatment of noninfectious diseases.

2. Contents of implementation of measures for prevention of noninfectious diseases in the community:

a) Prevention and control of risk factors shall be carried out in accordance with Clause 2 and Clause 3 Article 29 of the Law on Prevention of Diseases;

b) Health communication, health education, and counseling on personal behavior change, including: appropriate nutrition; reading nutrition labels before purchasing food; increasing physical activity; weight control; prevention and control of the harmful effects of tobacco, liquor and beer; reducing salt, sugar and unhealthy fat intakes; controlling prolonged stress; minimizing exposure to environmental pollutants and other risk factors;

c) Prophylactic treatment of noninfectious diseases shall be carried out in accordance with the guidance of the Minister of Health.

3. Funding and responsibilities for implementation:

a) Funding shall comply with Clause 2 Article 3, Article 41 and Article 43 of the Law on Prevention of Diseases;

b) Responsibilities for implementation shall comply with Clause 3 Article 30 of the Law on Prevention of Diseases.

Article 77. Organization of management of noninfectious diseases in the community

1. Subjects under management:

a) Persons at risk of noninfectious diseases who have one of the risk factors prescribed in Clause 1 Article 29 of the Law on Prevention of Diseases;

b) Persons with noninfectious diseases.

2. Contents of implementation:

a) Managing personal health records; providing counseling, health communication and health education; and promoting personal behavior change for the persons prescribed at Point a Clause 1 of this Article;

b) Conducting examinations, dispensing medicines, providing counseling on behavior change, and formulating and managing outpatient medical records in accordance with regulations in order to control risk factors and prevent progression to noninfectious diseases for at-risk persons requiring prophylactic treatment;

c) Conducting examinations, dispensing medicines, providing counseling on treatment adherence, monitoring health status in order to control risk factors that aggravate diseases and prevent dangerous complications, and formulating and managing outpatient medical records in accordance with regulations for the persons prescribed at Point b Clause 1 of this Article;

d) Referring a patient to an appropriate medical examination and treatment establishment when the professional capacity of the current establishment is exceeded, in accordance with regulations;

dd) Implement the coordination between health establishments and families in the management of noninfectious diseases in the community.

3. Responsibilities for implementation:

a) People's Committees at all levels shall direct the implementation of disease management in the community;

b) Commune-level health stations shall assume the prime responsibility for, and coordinate with medical examination and treatment establishments and relevant organizations in, carrying out the activities prescribed in Clause 2 of this Article.

Chapter VI

ORGANIZATION OF PREVENTION OF MENTAL DISORDERS IN THE COMMUNITY

Article 78. Prevention of mental disorders in the community

1. Information, education and communication on prevention of mental disorders.

2. Early detection of persons at risk of mental disorders.

3. Management, monitoring, and provision of psychological and social support.

Article 79. Information, education and communication on prevention of mental disorders in the community

1. Subjects

All people, with priority given to the following subjects:

a) Pupils and students;

b) Employees;

c) Pregnant women, mothers raising children under 24 months of age, and children;

d) Elderly and persons with disabilities;

dd) Persons experiencing psychological trauma following incidents or disasters;

e) Persons with chronic diseases;

g) Families having members with mental disorders.

2. Contents:

a) Communication and education to raise public awareness of risk factors, preventive measures, clinical signs, access to services, and reduction of stigma and discrimination against persons with mental disorders;

b) Guidance on creating living, learning and working environments that support mental health; provision of psychological counseling and support; guidance on life skills and psychological stress management skills; control of risk factors; and promotion of factors that support mental health in the community.

3. Heads of agencies and organizations managing the subjects prescribed in Clause 1 of this Article shall be responsible for organizing information, education and communication activities on prevention of mental disorders in accordance with the professional guidance of the Ministry of Health, and for building living, learning and working environments conducive that support mental health and preventing violence.

4. People's Committees at all levels shall direct the specialized health agencies within their localities to perform the following tasks:

a) Assume the prime responsibility for, and coordinate with police agencies, education agencies, and other relevant agencies and organizations in, organizing information, education and communication activities on prevention of mental disorders in the community;

b) Manage agencies, organizations and individuals participating in the implementation of information, education and communication activities on prevention of mental disorders in the community;

c) Supervise, monitor, evaluate, review and report the results of information, education and communication activities on prevention of mental disorders in the community.

Article 80. Early detection of persons at risk of mental disorders

Early detection of persons at risk of mental disorders in the community shall be carried out through:

1. Periodic health checks and health screenings in accordance with Chapter IV of this Decree.

2. Medical examination and treatment.

Article 81. Organization of management, monitoring, and provision of psychological and social support for persons at risk of mental disorders

1. Commune-level health stations, medical examination and treatment establishments, and relevant establishments shall organize the management, monitoring, and provision of psychological and social support for persons at risk of mental disorders in accordance with the professional guidance of the Minister of Health.

2. Medical examination and treatment establishments and relevant establishments may provide psychological support and counseling for persons at risk of mental disorders when all of the following conditions are satisfied:

a) Having at least 01 medical examination and treatment practitioners trained in clinical psychology, psychiatry in accordance with the guidance of the Minister of Health;

b) Having a location for counseling that ensures privacy;

c) Having desks, chairs, and communication materials serving psychological support and counseling activities.

Chapter VII

ORGANIZATION OF MANAGEMENT AND PROVISION OF HEALTHCARE AND SOCIAL CARE FOR PERSONS WITH MENTAL DISORDERS IN THE COMMUNITY

Article 82. Management of persons with mental disorders in the community

1. Persons with mental disorders managed in the community are patients who have been diagnosed, whose conditions are stable, who are capable of living with their families without requiring inpatient treatment.

2. Contents:

a) Preparing lists of and managing health records for persons with mental disorders;

b) Conducting examinations, dispensing medicines, monitoring mental health status; and guiding patients and their families in providing care, treatment and rehabilitation in accordance with the instructions of medical examination and treatment establishments;

c) Conducting early detection of signs of relapse or abnormal disease progression in order to provide timely counseling and referral for medical examination and treatment when necessary;

d) Provision of psychological support and counseling.

3. Organization of implementation:

a) Commune-level health stations shall assume the prime responsibility for, and coordinate with relevant agencies and organizations in, management of persons with mental disorders in the community;

b) Education institutions, families, and caregivers of persons with mental disorders shall be responsible for coordinating with health establishments and social work service providers in the management of persons with mental disorders.

4. Commune-level health stations shall assign personnel to perform the tasks prescribed in Clause 2 of this Article.

Article 83. Organization of provision of healthcare and social care for persons with mental disorders in the community

1. Contents of provision of healthcare for persons with mental disorders in the community:

a) Guiding, monitoring, supervising and supporting the compliance with treatment prescribed by medical examination and treatment establishments at home;

b) Providing psychological support and counseling for persons with mental disorders and their families in order to improve their capacity for self-care, disease management, and adaptation to daily life.

2. Contents of provision of social care for persons with mental disorders in the community:

a) Guiding persons with mental disorders to participate in learning, work, and social activities appropriate to their capabilities and health conditions;

b) Organizing activities to support community integration; reducing stigma and discrimination against persons with mental disorders.

3. Organization of provision of healthcare and social care for persons with mental disorders in the community:

a) Commune-level health stations shall organize the provision of healthcare and social care for persons with mental disorders in the community;

b) Strengthening coordination among health establishments, local administrations, police agencies, organizations, and families in supporting persons with mental disorders in rehabilitation and community integration.

4. Technical requirements:

a) Medical personnel and social workers shall be trained in healthcare and social care for persons with mental disorders in the community;

b) Ensuring facilities, equipment, and professional materials serving the provision of healthcare and social care for persons with mental disorders in the community in accordance with the regulations of the Minister of Health;

c) Ensuring funding for implementation in accordance with the law regulations on the state budget and other lawful funding sources.

Chapter VIII

NUTRITION INTERVENTION BY AGE GROUP AND TARGET POPULATION APPROPRIATE TO NUTRITIONAL STATUS, AND STATE SUPPORT FOR IMPLEMENTATION OF NUTRITIONAL MEASURES FOR DISEASE PREVENTION FOR PREGNANT WOMEN, BREASTFEEDING MOTHERS, AND CHILDREN

Article 84. Nutrition intervention by age group and target population appropriate to nutritional status

1. Pregnant women and breastfeeding mothers shall receive micronutrient supplementation, including: iron, zinc, folic acid, and other micronutrients.

2. Children:

a) Exclusive breastfeeding for children under 06 months of age and continued breastfeeding until 24 months of age;

b) Appropriate complementary feeding shall be provided for children from 06 months of age to under 24 months of age;

c) Micronutrient supplementation shall be provided for children with nutrition-related diseases and children in high-risk communities, including: vitamin A, iron, zinc, and other micronutrients;

d) School meals shall be provided for children at education institutions in accordance with Article 7 of this Decree;

dd) Early detection, prophylactic treatment in accordance with treatment regimens, and management of children with acute malnutrition in the community.

3. Persons of working age shall practice appropriate nutrition according to the level of physical activity associated with their type of work.

4. Elderly shall practice appropriate nutrition according to their health conditions and diseases.

5. The implementation of the nutrition intervention prescribed in Clause 1 and Clause 2 of this Article shall comply with the guidance of the Minister of Health.

Article 85. State support for implementation of nutritional measures for disease prevention for pregnant women, breastfeeding mothers, and children

1. Pregnant women and breastfeeding mothers falling under the cases prescribed at Points a, b and c Clause 2 Article 35 of the Law on Prevention of Diseases shall be supported in implementing the following nutritional measures:

a) The nutritional measures prescribed at Points a, b and c Clause 2 Article 34 of the Law on Prevention of Diseases;

b) Micronutrient supplementation in accordance with the guidance of the Minister of Health.

2. Children falling under the cases prescribed at Points a, b and c Clause 2 Article 35 of the Law on Prevention of Diseases shall be supported in implementing the following nutritional measures:

a) The nutritional measures prescribed at Points a, b and c Clause 2 Article 34 of the Law on Prevention of Diseases;

b) Micronutrient supplementation for children with nutrition-related diseases and children in high-risk communities in accordance with the guidance of the Minister of Health;

c) Early detection, prophylactic treatment, and management of acute malnutrition for children under 05 years of age in the community in accordance with the guidance of the Minister of Health.

3. In addition to the cases prescribed in Clause 1 and Clause 2 of this Article, based on socio-economic conditions in each period, the budget-balancing capacity and mobilized resources of the localities, provincial-level People's Councils shall decide on support for implementation of nutritional measures for disease prevention for pregnant women, breastfeeding mothers, and children prescribed at Point d Clause 2 Article 35 of the Law on Prevention of Diseases.

4. Funding for implementation of the nutritional measures prescribed in Clause 1 and Clause 2 of this Article shall comply with Article 41 of the Law on Prevention of Diseases.

Chapter IX

CONDITIONS FOR ENSURING DISEASE PREVENTION

Section 1

DEVELOPMENT OF HUMAN RESOURCES FOR DISEASE PREVENTION

Article 86. Policies on support and scholarships for undergraduate and postgraduate students in the fields of preventive medicine, public health, and nutrition

1. Subjects eligible for support and scholarships:

a) Students and learners enrolled in training programs for bachelor's, medical doctor, master's, and doctor’s diplomas in preventive medicine, epidemiology, field epidemiology, public health, and nutrition at state-owned education institutions in the health sector who achieve fair academic and conduct results or higher and are not subject to disciplinary measures of reprimand or above during the scholarship consideration period shall be granted encouragement scholarships by the State.

Encouragement scholarships for pupils and students at private education institutions in the health sector shall be implemented in accordance with current regulations;

b) Postgraduate learners enrolled in training programs for master's and doctor’s diplomas in preventive medicine, epidemiology, and field epidemiology (hereinafter collectively referred to as “learners”) at education institutions in the health sector shall be provided by the State with full tuition support and living expense support;

c) Learners enrolled in training programs for master's and doctor’s diplomas in preventive medicine, epidemiology, field epidemiology, public health, and nutrition who are working at commune-level health stations or preventive medicine establishments in border areas, island areas, ethnic minority and mountainous areas, areas with difficult socio-economic conditions, and areas with extremely difficult socio-economic conditions shall be granted policy scholarships by the State;

d) The State encourages organizations and individuals to grant scholarships or allowances to pupils and students.

2. Order and procedures for grant and consideration of scholarships; and principles for support and scholarship grant shall be implemented in accordance with current regulations.

3. Levels of support and scholarships:

a) Tuition support:

Tuition support shall be implemented in accordance with Decree No. 238/2025/ND-CP dated September 03, 2025 of the Government defining the policies on tuition fees, tuition fee exemption, reduction and support, support for study costs, and service charges in the field of education and training (hereinafter referred to as “Decree No. 238/2025/ND-CP”);

Learners at private education institutions in the health sector shall pay the difference between the actual tuition charged by the education institutions and the level of support provided by the State;

b) Cost-of-living expense levels shall be implemented in accordance with Decree No. 116/2020/ND-CP dated September 25, 2020 of the Government providing support for tuition fees and cost-of-living expenses for students of teacher training institutions (hereinafter referred to as “Decree No. 116/2020/ND-CP”) and Decree No. 60/2025/ND-CP dated March 3, 2025 of the Government amending and supplementing a number of articles of Decree No. 116/2020/ND-CP dated September 25, 2020 of the Government providing support for tuition fees and cost-of-living expenses for students of teacher training institutions (hereinafter referred to as “Decree No. 60/2025/ND-CP”);

c) Encouragement scholarship levels shall be implemented in accordance with Decree No. 66/2026/ND-CP dated March 2, 2026 of the Government detailing a number of articles of the Law on Education (hereinafter referred to as “Decree No. 66/2026/ND-CP”);

d) Policy scholarship levels:

For learners working at commune-level health stations or preventive medicine establishments in border areas, island areas, ethnic minority and mountainous areas, and areas with difficult socio-economic conditions: the scholarship level shall be equal to 80% of the base salary per month;

For learners working at commune-level health stations or preventive medicine establishments in areas with extremely difficult socio-economic conditions: the scholarship level shall be equal to 100% of the base salary per month.

4. Funding sources for implementation; formulation of estimates; payment of support funds and scholarships; management, use and finalization of funds; reimbursement of funds; and procedures for registration for tuition fees, cost-of-living expenses, and policy scholarships shall be implemented in accordance with Decree No. 66/2026/ND-CP, Decree No. 116/2020/ND-CP, Decree No. 60/2025/ND-CP, and Decree No. 238/2025/ND-CP.

Article 87. Determination of training needs, task assignment, and order placement

1. 1. Ministries and provincial-level People's Committees shall review and determine recruitment and training needs for postgraduate learners enrolled in training programs for master's and doctor’s diplomas in preventive medicine, epidemiology, and field epidemiology for the enrollment year and send such needs to education institutions permitted to provide training before January 31 each year, and publicize them through information and communication media.

2. Based on the annual enrollment quotas determined in accordance with regulations, education institutions shall publicly announce such quotas to localities, organizations, and individuals having demand for postgraduate learner training and post them on the portal of the Ministry of Education and Training and the websites of the education institutions.

3. Based on the annual enrollment quotas determined by education institutions and the training needs of localities, agencies assigning tasks or placing orders that have such needs shall decide to assign training tasks or place training orders with education institutions in one of the following forms:

a) Assigning postgraduate training tasks for training programs for master's and doctor’s diplomas in preventive medicine, epidemiology, and field epidemiology to subordinate education institutions;

b) Placing orders for postgraduate training under training programs for master's and doctor’s diplomas in preventive medicine, epidemiology, and field epidemiology with education institutions permitted to provide such training.

4. Decisions on task assignment and training contracts between agencies assigning tasks or placing orders and education institutions shall be based on the demand and plans for postgraduate training under training programs for master's and doctor’s diplomas in preventive medicine, epidemiology, and field epidemiology for each year, consistent with the roadmap for educational development plans and annual and long-term health workforce training plans of the localities.

5. The assignment of tasks and placement of orders for postgraduate learner training under training programs for master's and doctor’s diplomas in preventive medicine, epidemiology, and field epidemiology shall comply with the Government’s regulations on assignment of tasks, placement of orders, or bidding for the provision of public products and services using state budget funds from current expenditure sources.

Section 2

STATE BUDGET EXPENDITURE FOR DISEASE PREVENTION

Article 88. State budget funding for disease prevention

1. The state budget shall ensure the development investment expenditure for disease prevention, including the construction, renovation, and expansion of infrastructure in a manner synchronized with residential areas and communities, in conjunction with investment in and upgrading of equipment for preventive medicine establishments in accordance with the law on public investment and the law on the state budget.

2. The state budget shall ensure funding from current expenditure sources in accordance with the current budget assignment for the following contents and tasks:

a) Ensuring 100% of current expenditures of preventive medicine establishments: expenditures on salaries, bonuses, wages, allowances, occupation-specific allowances, occupational preferential allowances, and statutory contributions; expenditures for operation, administration, upkeep, calibration, inspection, repair and maintenance of infrastructure and equipment, quality management, and other current expenditure items;

b) Expenditures on implementation of professional tasks related to the fields of prevention and control of infectious diseases; prevention and control of noninfectious diseases; prevention and control of mental disorders; nutrition in disease prevention; injuries; environmental sanitation and hygiene; sanitation and hygiene in agencies and schools;

c) Expenditures on periodic health checks and health screenings: ensuring funding for free health screenings or periodic health checks for the population at least once a year in accordance with the roadmap and priority target groups prescribed in Chapter IV of this Decree and in accordance with the law on medical examination and treatment and other relevant laws;

d) Expenditures on development of human resources for disease prevention: expenditures on policy scholarships, tuition support, and cost-of-living expense support for postgraduate learners in the fields of preventive medicine, public health, and nutrition in accordance with the laws on education, vocational education, higher education, and other relevant laws.

3. The state budget shall ensure extraordinary expenditures and special expenditures for epidemic prevention and control and for newly arising contents and tasks in disease prevention as decided by the Prime Minister on the basis of proposals from the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Finance.

4. The formulation, allocation, implementation of estimates, and finalization of expenditures funded from the state budget shall be carried out in accordance with the current provisions of the Law on Public Investment, the Law on the State Budget, and guiding documents thereof.

5. The Ministry of Finance shall:

a) Assume the prime responsibility for, and coordinate with the Ministry of Health in, submitting to competent authorities proposals on balancing and allocating the central budget for implementation of the policies prescribed in this Decree;

b) Based on proposals of the Ministry of Health, provide guidance on financial matters, expenditure contents, and expenditure levels for disease prevention activities prescribed in this Decree.

Section 3

ORGANIZATION AND OPERATION OF THE DISEASE PREVENTION FUND

Article 89. Legal status and legal entity status

1. The disease prevention fund is a State extrabudgetary financial fund, operating under the model of a public non-business unit that self-finances its current expenditures from the resources of the disease prevention fund, under the Ministry of Health.

2. The disease prevention fund has legal entity status, its own seal, and may open its accounts at the State Treasury and commercial banks lawfully operating in Vietnam.

3. The Minister of Health shall issue the decision on establishment and the charter on organization and operation of the disease prevention fund.

Article 90. Tasks and powers of the disease prevention fund

1. To implement the operational objectives of the disease prevention fund in disease prevention; formulate financial plans, organize its apparatus, and recruit personnel within its competence in accordance with Article 43 of the Law on Prevention of Diseases and this Decree.

2. To appraise and approve projects, tasks, activities, and beneficiaries eligible for support or sponsorship; and decide on support and sponsorship levels in accordance with law regulations, the charter of the disease prevention fund, and the support and sponsorship regulations of the disease prevention fund (if any).

3. To mobilize, receive, manage, and use the financial resources of the disease prevention fund in accordance with law regulations. Temporarily unused capital of the disease prevention fund may be deposited at commercial banks in which the State holds more than 50% of the charter capital; with appropriate deposit terms (term deposits or demand deposits), depending on the amount of temporarily unused capital.

4. To allocate funds of the disease prevention fund to support disease prevention activities on the basis of proposals from the state management agency in charge of disease prevention under the Ministry of Health.

5. To provide data and publicize the operating regulations, financial mechanism, operation results, and annual financial statements of the disease prevention fund in accordance with law regulations.

6. To conduct periodic and ad hoc inspection and supervision within its competence of the use of funding sources of the disease prevention fund; and recover support or sponsorship fundings provided by the disease prevention fund to agencies, units, organizations, or individuals that are used in contravention of regulations.

7. Management expenses of the disease prevention fund: current expenditures (excluding professional expenditure items) of the disease prevention fund shall be deducted at a maximum rate of 5% of the mandatory contribution of 2% of the excise taxed price of tobacco manufacturers and importers.

8. Other tasks and powers as prescribed by the Minister of Health and relevant law regulations.

Article 91. Organizational structure of the disease prevention fund

1. The disease prevention fund consists of the management board, the supervisory board, and professional divisions and departments.

2. The supervisory board shall assist the Minister of Health in supervising the operation of the disease prevention fund; the supervisory board shall not replace the inspection, examination, and audit functions prescribed by law regulations.

3. The advisory council shall have the function of advising on and supporting management, strategic orientation, operation planning, and supervision of the operation of the disease prevention fund and shall be established under a decision of the Minister of Health when necessary.

4. Workers of the disease prevention fund include public employees and other workers in accordance with the law on public non-business units.

Article 92. Expenditure contents of the disease prevention fund

1. Expenditures for tobacco harm prevention and control activities:

a) Development of content and organization of education on the harms of tobacco and tobacco harm prevention and control in education institutions; communication on the harms of tobacco and tobacco harm prevention and control;

b) Development and implementation of smoke-free communities, agencies, and organizations and organization of campaigns and initiatives on prevention and control of tobacco harms;

c) Organization of tobacco use cessation services;

d) Conduction of research to provide evidence for prevention and control of tobacco harms;

dd) Development, support for activities of, and enhancement the capacity of networks of collaborators and officials participating in tobacco harm prevention and control activities;

e) Research of solutions for occupational change for tobacco growers;

g) Performance of other tasks in accordance with law regulations.

2. Expenditures on support for free health screenings or periodic health checks:

a) Free health screenings or periodic health checks; beginning-of-school-year health checks and disease and disorder screenings;

b) Communication on free health screenings or periodic health checks for the population;

c) Organizing the implementation of activities on free health screenings or periodic health checks.

3. Expenditures on support for noninfectious disease prevention and control activities:

a) Prevention and control of risk factors for noninfectious diseases;

b) Implementation of noninfectious disease prevention in the community;

c) Implementation of noninfectious disease management in the community.

4. Expenditures on support of mental disorder prevention and control activities:

a) Prevention and control of risk factors for mental disorders;

b) Management of persons with mental disorders in the community;

c) Implementation of medical and social care and management for persons with mental disorders in the community.

5. Expenditures on support for activities for implementation of nutrition in disease prevention:

a) Assessment and monitoring of nutritional status;

b) Counseling and guidance on proper nutrition;

c) Information, education, and communication on proper nutrition;

d) Nutrition intervention by age group and target population appropriate to nutritional status;

dd) Other measures for implementation of nutrition in disease prevention as decided by the Minister of Health in accordance with actual conditions.

6. Expenditures on support for activities for research, application of science and technology, innovation, and digital transformation in disease prevention:

a) Standardization, integration, and interoperability of data among information technology applications serving disease prevention, ensuring information safety and security;

b) Research, assessment, and application of science and technology, big data, artificial intelligence, and innovation in research on tobacco harm prevention and control; prevention and control of infectious diseases; prevention and control of noninfectious diseases; prevention and control of mental disorders; nutrition in disease prevention; and prevention and first aid and emergency care for injuries in the community;

c) Support for professional councils in disease prevention;

d) Support for the grant of scholarships or allowances to undergraduate learners in the fields of preventive medicine, public health, and nutrition.

7. Expenditures on support for international cooperation activities in disease prevention:

a) Learning from international experience in disease prevention;

b) Participating in international meetings, conferences, seminars, and panel discussions on disease prevention.

8. Provision of certain preventive medicine services for prevention and control of infectious diseases; prevention and control of noninfectious diseases; prevention and control of mental disorders; nutrition in disease prevention; and other preventive medicine services as prescribed by the Minister of Health.

Article 93. Financial management, regimes of accounting and audit of the disease prevention fund

1. The mechanism and procedures for collection and remittance of mandatory contributions to the disease prevention fund; expenditure contents and expenditure levels for activities of the disease prevention fund shall be guided by the Ministry of Finance. Accounting reporting and finalization regimes shall comply with the law on accounting.

2. On an annual basis, the disease prevention fund shall publicize its revenues (the mandatory contributions of 2% of the excise taxed price of tobacco manufacturers and importers; lawful and voluntary contributions and sponsorships from domestic and foreign enterprises, organizations, and individuals; non-refundable aid that is not official development assistance from foreign individuals and organizations; and other lawful revenues as prescribed by law regulations), expenditures and balance of the fund.

3. On an annual basis, the disease prevention fund shall report the implementation of revenues and expenditures of the preceding year and the projected revenues and expenditures for the planning year to the Ministry of Health at the same time as the formulation of state budget estimates for consolidation and submission to the Ministry of Finance in accordance with regulations; and shall submit finalization reports and financial statements to the Ministry of Health for consolidation and reporting to the Ministry of Finance in accordance with regulations.

4. Every three years, the Ministry of Health shall report to the Government for reporting to the National Assembly on the operation results and the management and use of the disease prevention fund.

Chapter X

IMPLEMENTATION PROVISIONS

Article 94. Effect

1. This Circular takes effect on July 01, 2026, except for cases prescribed in Clauses 2 and 3 of this Article.

2. Article 49 and Clause 3 Article 60 of this Decree takes effect on July 01, 2027.

3. Articles 66, 67 and 68 of this Decree shall take effect on January 1, 2028.

4. The following documents shall cease to be effect from the effective date of this Decree, except for the cases defined in Clause 5 of this Article, including:

a) Decree No. 104/2016/ND-CP dated July 1, 2016 of the Government on immunization;

b) Clause 1 and Clause 2 Article 14; Clause 1, Clause 2 and Clause 3 Article 15; and Clause 2 and Clause 3 Article 21 of Decree No. 155/2018/ND-CP dated November 12, 2018 of the Government amending and supplementing a number of regulations concerning business conditions under the state management of the Ministry of Health;

c) Decree No. 13/2024/ND-CP dated February 5, 2024 of the Government amending and supplementing a number of articles of Decree No. 104/2016/ND-CP dated July 1, 2016 of the Government on immunization;

d) Decree No. 101/2010/ND-CP dated September 30, 2010 of the Government detailing the implementation of a number of articles of the Law on Prevention and Control of Infectious Diseases regarding the application of measures of medical isolation, compulsory medical isolation, and special epidemic control measures;

a) Decree No. 89/2018/ND-CP dated June 25, 2018 of the Government guiding the implementation of a number of articles of the Law on Prevention and Control of Infectious Diseases regarding border health quarantine;

e) Decree No. 103/2016/ND-CP dated July 1, 2016 of the Government on ensuring biosafety in laboratories.

g) Decision No. 56/2010/QD-TTg dated September 16, 2010 of the Prime Minister prescribing the authority for establishment, organization and operation of epidemic control steering committees at all levels;

h) Decision No. 02/2016/QD-TTg dated January 28, 2016 of the Prime Minister specifying conditions for announcing outbreaks of infectious epidemics and the end of infectious epidemics;

i) Decision No. 47/2013/QD-TTg dated July 29, 2013 of the Prime Minister on the establishment of, and approval of the charter on organization and operation of, the fund for prevention and control of tobacco harms;

k) Decision No. 26/2023/QD-TTg dated October 19, 2023 of the Prime Minister amending the Appendix providing the average incubation period and the repeat infection timeframe to serve as a basis for announcing the end of an infectious epidemic promulgated together with the Decision. No. 02/2016/QD-TTg of January 28, 2016;

l) Directive No. 23/2006/CT-TTg dated July 12, 2006 of the Prime Minister on strengthening health works in schools.

5. The following provisions shall remain effective from the effective date of this Decree until June 30, 2027:

a) Business conditions relating to immunization services prescribed in Article 9 and Article 10 of Decree No. 104/2016/ND-CP;

b) Business conditions relating to laboratory biosafety prescribed in Articles 5, 6 and 7 of Decree No. 103/2016/ND-CP;

c) Procedures for declaration of eligibility to provide immunization services prescribed in Article 11 of Decree No. 104/2016/ND-CP;

d) Procedures for grant, re-grant, self-declaration, and revocation of certificates of compliance with biosafety standards for laboratory centers prescribed in Articles 11, 12, 13 and 14 of Decree No. 103/2016/ND-CP;

dd) Clause 1 and Clause 2 Article 14; Clause 1 and Clause 3 Article 15; and Clause 2 and Clause 3 Article 21 of Decree No. 155/2018/ND-CP.

6. To amend and supplement a number of articles of the Government’s Decree No. 214/2025/ND-CP dated August 04, 2025, detailing a number of articles of, and measures to implement, the Bidding Law regarding contractor selection as follows:

“g) Bidding packages for consultancy service and non-consultancy services, or bidding packages for procurement of medicines (including vaccines and biological products), chemicals, supplies for medical tests, medical equipment (including immunization supplies), components, spare parts, means, construction and installation that need to be immediately executed to serve epidemic prevention and control under written directives of competent authorities (competent state management agencies in health or administrations at all levels), or according to epidemic information for an infectious disease, or at a locality’s epidemic information for an group-A infectious disease in accordance with the law regulations;”.

Article 95. Transitional provisions

1. The approved contents and plans of activities of health screenings or periodic health checks that have been approved by competent agencies and are being implemented in localities before the effective date of this Decree may continue to be implemented.

2. Immunization establishments that have been declared to be eligible to provide immunization services, and laboratory centers that have been declared as meeting level I or level II biosafety standards or have been granted a level III biosafety certificate before the effective date of this Decree may continue their operations without having to carry out declaration or certification procedures. Any change in the name, address, or head of the establishment shall comply with Point c or Point d Clause 5 Article 94 of this Decree at the time of declaration or certification.

Article 96. Reference clauses

In case any document referred to in this Decree is replaced or amended and supplemented, the replacing document or the amended and supplemented document shall apply.

Article 97. Responsibility of implementation

1. The Minister of Health shall be responsible for organizing the implementation of, providing guidance on, and monitor the compliance with, this Decree.

2. Ministers, heads of ministerial-level agencies, chairpersons of People’s Committees of provinces and centrally-run cities, and related organizations and individuals shall implement this Decree./.

* All Appendices are not translated herein.