Vietnam is a serious option for Indian students who want to study medicine abroad. The total cost ranges from INR 33 lakh to INR 47 lakh - all-inclusive. That is far less than most Indian private medical colleges. Five universities in Vietnam hold active WDOMS (World Directory of Medical Schools) listings and meet NMC requirements on paper.
But there is one risk most guides do not cover. A new Vietnamese law makes a Vietnamese-language licensing exam mandatory by December 2027. This changes the compliance picture significantly. This guide covers Vietnam MBBS fees, NMC rules, top universities, and the 2027 risk - so you can make a clear, informed decision.
| Parameter | Details |
|---|---|
| Program Name | Doctor of Medicine (MD) - equivalent to MBBS |
| Duration | 6 years (5 years academic + 1-year internship) |
| Medium of Instruction | English (basic Vietnamese required for patient care) |
| Intake Months | September / October (primary); March / April (select universities) |
| Regulatory Approvals | WDOMS, WHO, NMC, ECFMG (PCTU only) |
| Total Cost Range | INR 33 lakh to INR 47 lakh (all-inclusive) |
| NEET Required | Yes - mandatory |
Is MBBS in Vietnam Recognised by the NMC?
Yes - but only if your program meets all five conditions under the FMGL Regulations 2021 (Foreign Medical Graduate Licentiate Regulations). The NMC published these on November 18, 2021. Missing even one condition means your degree cannot be used to sit the FMGE or NExT exam in India.
The 5 rules are as follows:
- 54-month rule of academic curriculum: At least 54 months of academic curriculum instruction at one institution. Vietnam Programs consist of 60 months of structured academics. This will remove the bar.
- Continuous internship of 12 months requirement: A consecutive internship of 12 months is required at your own university hospital. It is not feasible to separate, delay, or conduct it at another hospital.
- English Language: Delivering all lectures, exams and clinical assessments in English. If you know basic Vietnamese, it can benefit you during patient care.
- NEET-UG qualifying score: The scorecard is valid for three years from the exam date. No NEET means no FMGE or NExT eligibility - no exceptions.
- 10-year completion rule: Everything - from your first day in Vietnam to passing the Indian licensing exam and completing your CRMI (Compulsory Rotating Medical Internship) in India - must be done within 10 years of enrollment.
Vietnam's NMC-approved MBBS programs meet all five structural requirements. The compliance risk comes from a separate regulatory development. Read the next section before you decide anything.
What is the 2027 Vietnamese Licensing Exam Risk That Every Indian Student Must Know?
This is the most important section in this guide.
- The old system: Vietnam had no national licensing exam. Graduates received a medical practice certificate after completing an 18-month clinical apprenticeship at a hospital. It was an administrative process - not an exam.
- New law: Vietnam Law number 15/2023/QH15 was passed on January 9, 2023. It is for the Medical Examination and Treatment. This law created a computer-based, multiple-choice National Competency Examination for all doctors who want a medical practice license. The first exam is scheduled for December 2027.
- The language issue: All examinations will be in Vietnamese. Foreign medical students need to demonstrate a skill level of Vietnamese language proficiency on a test conducted by a certified language testing institution in Vietnam.
How this impacts Indian students:
NMC Guideline 4 goes on to say that the Foreign Medical Graduate has to be a holder of an independent medical practice license in the country in which they studied. Here is the chain reaction if you cannot pass the Vietnamese exam:
- No Vietnamese exam pass - no Vietnamese medical license
- No Vietnamese license - NMC Guideline 4 is not met
- NMC Guideline 4 not met - you cannot sit for FMGE or NExT in India
- Your degree becomes unusable for medical practice in India
This is not a rumor. It is written into Vietnamese law.
What you should do right now:
- Start learning medical Vietnamese from Year 1 - not Year 3 when clinical rotations begin
- Choose a university that actively prepares students for the 2027 exam. Dai Nam University (DNU) and PCTU both have structured support systems for this
- Monitor official NMC circulars - the NMC may issue a formal policy response to this development
What is the Total Vietnam MBBS Fees in Indian Rupees?
The estimated total expenses for Indian students studying MBBS in Vietnam are INR 33 lakh to INR 47 lakh. This includes 6 years of tuition, hostel and administration fees (a one time payment).
Complete University wise fee breakdown is here:
| University | Year 1 Tuition (INR) | 6-Year Tuition (INR) | 6-Year Hostel (INR) | Admin Fees (INR) | Grand Total (INR) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Can Tho University (CTUMP) | 4,13,000 | 32,97,000 | 11,40,000 | 2,86,000 | 47,23,000 |
| Dai Nam University (DNU) | 2,70,000 | 21,05,000 | 9,12,624 | 2,86,000 | 33,03,624 |
| Phan Chau Trinh (PCTU) | 4,66,394 | 29,08,364 | 11,40,000 | 2,86,000 | 43,34,364 |
| Nam Can Tho (NCTU) | 1,86,750 | 12,24,250 | 7,80,000 | 2,84,188 | 35,72,688 |
| UHS - VNU HCM | 4,39,000 | 26,34,000 | 5,10,000 | 2,19,000 | 33,63,000 |
The exchange rate is 1 USD = INR 84 and 1 VND = approx 0.0034 INR. These do not include your visa extension, travelling flight, and personal expenses.
In practice, these numbers mean:
The cheapest combination is at Dai Nam University, with INR 33 lakh. CTUMP is the costliest at INR 47 lakh. In comparison, the Indian private medical colleges can be considered to be quite different from the ones mentioned above. The price of management quota seats ranges from INR 70 lakh to INR 1.5 crore. Vietnam is 40% to 70% less expensive.
You can get a lump-sum payment discount at two universities:
- Dai Nam University: Upfront tuition of INR 16,88,000 with a saving of more than INR 4,00,000
- PCTU: Pay full tuition upfront at INR 23,78,609 - saving INR 5,29,755
Pre-plan for living expenses as well. Personal expenditure per month is between INR 12,000 and 20,000. That works out to be an additional INR 8.6 lakh to INR 14.4 lakh on your spending over six years.
Realistic 6-year total cost estimate:
- The university package costs INR 33 to 47 lakh
- Living costs (6 years): INR 8.6 to 14.4 lakh
- Actual total outflow: INR 42 lakh to INR 61 lakh
Which are the Top NMC-Approved Universities for MBBS in Vietnam?
There are five universities that actively invite Indian students, and they also have existing WDOMS Indian Medical graduate recognition status at NMC.
Can Tho University of Medicine and Pharmacy (CTUMP) - Can Tho City
CTUMP was established in 1979. It is the only public-sector university on this list. Clinical clerkships begin in Year 3 across seven affiliated hospitals, including the 500-bed CTUMP Hospital.
Entry requires 80% aggregate in PCB - the highest bar of any Vietnam university. Its public credential and wide hospital access make it the most competitive option in the Mekong Delta.
Dai Nam University (DNU) - Hanoi
DNU is a private university in the capital city. It contains 3D anatomy dissection tables, virtual reality simulation systems and greater than 25 human cadavers for hands-on training.
It is the most affordable option when the lump-sum discount is used. DNU provides separate Indian hostels and a managed Indian mess serving both North and South Indian food.
Phan Chau Trinh University (PCTU) - Da Nang
PCTU is the only ECFMG-approved medical university in Vietnam (approved November 2024). This means its graduates can sit for the USMLE and apply for clinical training in the United States and Canada. The curriculum uses a US-modeled structure with American faculty. PCTU operates nine university-owned hospitals with over 1,500 beds, a Preclinical Simulation Hospital, and a Stem Cell Research Centre.
Nam Can Tho University (NCTU) - Can Tho City
NCTU is a private university founded in 2013. It has the lowest first-year tuition of all five universities at INR 1,86,750. The program holds WHO, WDOMS, and NMC recognition. Clinical rotations focus on tropical and public health medicine in the Mekong Delta - highly relevant to Indian clinical practice.
The University of Health Sciences (UHS) - Di An City
UHS is a public institution of the Vietnam National University Ho Chi Minh City system. It employs a concept of Problem Based Learning (PBL) and exposes students to clinical scenarios starting Year 1. Among the five options, on campus hostel fees to be paid are the lowest amount, ranging from INR 78,000 to INR 94,000 (per annum).
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