Vietnam Cuts Advertising Red Tape for Healthcare Products

On February 12, 2026, the Ministry of Health of Vietnam issued “Circular No. 03/2026/TT-BYT,” abolishing several previously issued legal normative documents related to advertising for healthcare products and services. The Circular took effect on February 15, 2026, as part of the government’s broader effort to review and streamline the regulatory framework governing advertising activities under the Ministry of Health’s authority.

For foreign manufacturers and overseas brand owners, the changes may reduce administrative steps for advertising certain healthcare products in Vietnam.

Vietnam Moves to Simplify Healthcare Advertising Regulations

Over time, new legislation and regulatory amendments can render earlier provisions redundant or misaligned with updated frameworks. In the healthcare sector, changes to the legal environment — including updates to advertising regulations and related implementing rules — have created the need to revise or remove certain earlier documents.

Through Circular No. 03/2026/TT-BYT, the Ministry of Health seeks to ensure that the remaining regulatory framework is consistent with current laws while eliminating unnecessary administrative provisions.

The main objectives of the Circular include:

• Reviewing and abolishing outdated or unnecessary regulatory provisions
• Ensuring consistency within the healthcare advertising regulatory framework
• Eliminating redundant administrative procedures
• Facilitating regulatory compliance for businesses operating in regulated healthcare sectors

These measures align with the Vietnamese government’s broader policy of administrative reform and regulatory simplification.

Abolition of Existing Advertising Regulations Under the Ministry of Health

The Circular introduces both the full repeal of one regulatory document and the partial repeal of another that previously governed advertising confirmation procedures for products managed by the Ministry of Health.

Full Abolition of “Circular No. 20/2024/TT-BYT”

“Circular No. 03/2026/TT-BYT” fully abolishes “Circular No. 20/2024/TT-BYT,” which had been issued on October 14, 2024.

That Circular amended and supplemented several provisions of “Circular No. 09/2015/TT-BYT,” a key regulation governing the confirmation of advertising content for special products, goods, and services managed by the Ministry of Health.

By repealing “Circular No. 20/2024/TT-BYT,” the Ministry has removed amendments that were previously introduced into the advertising confirmation framework. This step forms part of a broader restructuring of the legal framework governing advertising activities in the healthcare sector.

Partial Abolition of “Circular No. 09/2015/TT-BYT”

In addition to the full repeal described above, “Circular No. 03/2026/TT-BYT” abolishes several provisions within “Circular No. 09/2015/TT-BYT,” while retaining certain clauses that remain compatible with the current regulatory system.

The provisions that remain in effect primarily relate to:

• Certain advertising regulations applicable to food products
• The validity of advertising content confirmation certificates for food and infant nutrition products
• Technical provisions that continue to align with the current food safety regulatory framework

Meanwhile, provisions related to pharmaceutical advertising are no longer governed by the earlier framework, as these areas have already been amended or replaced through other legal instruments.

Advertising Content Confirmation Requirements Removed for Multiple Product Categories

One of the most consequential outcomes of “Circular No. 03/2026/TT-BYT” is the removal of the requirement to obtain a Certificate of Advertising Content Confirmation for several categories of healthcare products and services.

Starting February 15, 2026, businesses are no longer required to obtain this certificate before advertising the following:

• Medicines (except those prohibited from advertising)
• Cosmetics
• Medical devices
• Insecticidal and disinfectant chemicals and preparations used in household and medical sectors
• Medical examination and treatment services

Previously, companies promoting these products were required to submit advertising materials to the Ministry of Health or its designated authorities for approval before conducting promotional activities.

The removal of this requirement eliminates an administrative step that had applied to advertising campaigns for several regulated healthcare product categories.

However, the change does not remove legal responsibility for advertising compliance. Companies must still ensure that all promotional materials comply with Vietnam’s Law on Advertising and other applicable sector-specific regulations.

Advertising Confirmation Requirements Remain for Food-Related Products

Despite the broader reduction in administrative procedures, advertising content confirmation requirements remain in place for several categories of food and nutrition products.

Under the revised framework, businesses must still obtain confirmation of advertising content before promoting the following product types:

• Health supplements (food supplements)
• Micronutrient-fortified foods
• Natural mineral water and bottled drinking water
• Food additives
• Milk and nutritional products for children

These products fall within the food safety regulatory system, which maintains stricter controls on advertising claims and promotional content due to their potential impact on public health and consumer protection.

Companies operating in these categories must therefore continue to follow existing advertising approval procedures before marketing these products.

Compliance Implications for Healthcare Companies and Foreign Manufacturers

The regulatory changes introduced through “Circular No. 03/2026/TT-BYT” affect a wide range of businesses operating in Vietnam’s healthcare and consumer health sectors, including companies involved in pharmaceuticals, medical devices, cosmetics, and health-related food products.

For companies advertising medicines, cosmetics, medical devices, or healthcare services, the removal of the advertising content confirmation requirement simplifies the administrative process for launching promotional campaigns.

At the same time, companies remain responsible for ensuring that advertising content complies with Vietnam’s broader legal requirements governing advertising practices.

Businesses should review their internal compliance procedures to ensure that:

• References to abolished regulations are removed from internal policies and procedures
• Advertising review processes reflect the updated regulatory framework
• Product categories still subject to advertising confirmation are clearly identified

This review will help ensure that marketing activities remain compliant while taking advantage of the simplified administrative requirements introduced by the Circular.

Administrative Reform Continues in Vietnam’s Healthcare Regulatory Framework

For companies operating in Vietnam — particularly foreign manufacturers — the reforms reduce certain pre-approval requirements but also place greater responsibility on companies to ensure their advertising practices remain compliant. While several healthcare product categories are no longer subject to advertising content confirmation, others continue to fall under stricter controls through separate regulatory frameworks.

As the regulatory structure evolves and older provisions are removed, companies may need to reassess internal review procedures and verify that marketing materials align with Vietnam’s current advertising and sector-specific regulations.

Cisema helps international manufacturers, importers, and distributors navigate these regulatory changes by translating policy developments into clear compliance strategies. Our team supports companies in interpreting regulatory updates, assessing their operational impact, and maintaining compliant market access across Asia’s complex healthcare regulatory landscape.

If your organization is preparing marketing activities for healthcare products in Vietnam, get in touch with Cisema to discuss how our regulatory expertise can support your compliance and market strategy.

Further Information

Learn more about cosmetic registration in Vietnam and how Cisema supports compliant market entry.

Explore Cisema’s medical device regulatory services in Vietnam, including registration and market access support.

References

• Circular No. 03/2026/TT-BYT Abolishing Certain Legal Normative Documents Issued by the Minister of Health
• Circular No. 09/2015/TT-BYT on Confirmation of Advertising Content for Products, Goods, and Services Managed by the Ministry of Health