Vietnam’s National Medical Council announces 2027 doctor competency testing plan

Vietnam will hold its first competency examinations for doctors in 2027, with two testing rounds planned for four professional categories. The National Medical Council said the first round is expected in March, while the second is planned for December.

The tests will cover medical doctors, traditional medicine doctors, dentists and maxillofacial doctors, and preventive medicine doctors. Application periods are tentatively set for January for the first round and September for the second. The council stressed that the dates, locations and registration requirements remain subject to further updates.

Candidates will take the tests in person on computers or tablets at locations announced during registration. The council will not use one common format for all categories. Instead, each field will have its own question format, competency areas, list of essential professional issues, structure and test blueprint, set out in separate council decisions.

The plan follows Vietnam’s 2023 Law on Medical Examination and Treatment, the government’s Decree 96/2023 and the council’s adjusted 2026-2027 work plan. The council asked health-training institutions to inform students and prospective candidates so they can prepare, update their knowledge of testing requirements and complete their applications.

Previously, practitioners generally received licenses based on professional qualifications, practical training and other legal conditions. Nguyen Viet Tien, vice chairman of the National Medical Council, said the new examination aims to ensure that practitioners meet requirements for professional knowledge, practical skills and professional ethics, while improving healthcare quality and patient safety.

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The aim of the examination is to ensure that practitioners meet the full requirements for professional knowledge, practical skills and professional ethics, thereby improving the quality of healthcare services and patient safety.