Vietnam allows VNeID electronic health records to replace paper medical files

Vietnam’s Ministry of Health has confirmed that electronic health records integrated into the national VNeID application now carry the same legal validity as traditional paper health records, enabling their use in administrative and medical procedures.

The announcement follows the issuance of Decision No. 31/QD-BYT, which sets out the publication of data and guidance on accessing and using integrated electronic health records on VNeID as a replacement for paper documentation in administrative processes.

Under the decision, health data displayed on VNeID is interconnected, fully integrated, and legally equivalent to paper records when used in official procedures. Medical facilities and administrative agencies will no longer require individuals or organisations to submit paper copies of health documents if the relevant information is already available on the VNeID platform.

The Ministry of Health stated that all data exploitation, use, and sharing must comply with existing regulations on information security, data safety, and personal privacy, in line with relevant legal frameworks and technical standards governing digital data connectivity and sharing between government bodies.

The electronic health record on VNeID comprises several data categories, including personal administrative information; medical history such as allergies, illnesses, and vaccinations; records of individual medical examinations and treatments; and consolidated medical summaries.

Each medical examination and treatment record includes details such as the receiving healthcare facility, examination date, hospital admission and discharge information, type and reason for the visit, treatment outcomes, discharge diagnoses, clinical and paraclinical indicators, and medications associated with procedures or surgeries. Medical summaries include patient history, clinical progress, relevant diagnostic results, treatment methods, prescriptions, follow-up instructions, and information on the attending physician.

Patients or their legal representatives are entitled to access and download detailed records of each medical visit in PDF format via the VNeID application, in accordance with the Law on Personal Data Protection.

The Ministry of Health has instructed ministries, departments, local authorities, and healthcare providers to review administrative procedures, update information systems, and implement data connectivity between electronic health records and the VNeID platform.

According to Ha Anh Duc, Director of the Department of Medical Examination and Treatment Management at the Ministry of Health, the move represents a significant step in administrative reform and data interoperability. He said the initiative enables integrated electronic health records on VNeID to replace equivalent medical documents in administrative procedures once data is fully connected and displayed.

The announcement follows Decision No. 4048/QD-BYT, issued on December 31, 2025, which approved the Ministry of Health’s shared digital platform roadmap, including plans to complete nationwide implementation of integrated electronic health records on VNeID.

Healthcare authorities are currently accelerating the rollout of electronic medical records across medical facilities nationwide, alongside guidance on connecting, accessing, and using integrated health record data on VNeID to replace paper-based documentation in related administrative processes.