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Is MBBS in Vietnam Valid in India? NMC Rules Explained

Quick Answer on NMC Approval:"NMC-approved university" is technically a misnomer. The National Medical Commission does not issue lists of approved foreign colleges. Instead, the NMC enforces the Foreign Medical Graduate Licentiate (FMGL) Regulations 2021, which define strict conditions on course duration, internship, and language. Vietnamese medical universities meet all FMGL 2021 conditions.
NMC Compliance & Recognition Guidelines

Indian students must satisfy NMC's Foreign Medical Graduate Licentiate (FMGL) Regulations 2021 to sit FMGE/NExT and register as doctors in India. Key conditions include: mandatory NEET-UG qualification; minimum 54 months of medical coursework plus a continuous 12-month internship at the same institution; and 100% English-medium instruction.

Read complete guide: Is MBBS in Vietnam valid in India?

The 4 Non-Negotiable FMGL Regulations 2021 Conditions

Gazetted on November 18, 2021 by the National Medical Commission, any Indian student enrolling in a foreign medical course must ensure their program fulfills every one of these statutory criteria:

Condition 1: Minimum 54 Months Coursework

The academic course must span at least 54 months (4.5 years) of theoretical and clinical instruction. In Vietnam, all 5 partner universities offer 6-year programs (72 months total), easily exceeding this minimum.

Condition 2: 12 Months Same-Institution Internship

Students must undergo a continuous 12-month rotating internship at the same medical college and affiliated teaching hospital where they studied. External or outsourced clerkships are not permitted by NMC.

Condition 3: 100% English-Medium Instruction

The entire medical curriculum must be taught and examined in English. Bilingual degrees (such as Russian/Chinese clinical years) do not meet this standard. Vietnam uses English-medium course materials.

Condition 4: License Eligibility in Host Country

The student must be legally eligible to register as a medical practitioner in the country where the degree was granted. Vietnam's Law 15/2023/QH15 governs national licensing assessments.

How to Verify WDOMS Listing for Vietnamese Medical Colleges

The World Directory of Medical Schools (WDOMS) is the definitive global database jointly developed by FAIMER and WFME. Follow these steps to verify any university:

  1. Visit the official portal at search.wdoms.org.
  2. In the search form, select Country: Vietnam.
  3. Enter the university name (e.g. Can Tho University of Medicine and Pharmacy).
  4. Open the university profile and navigate to the Sponsor Notes tab.
  5. Verify that the listing confirms eligibility for international certification and recognition.

Frequently Asked Questions: NMC Regulations & Validity

Does the NMC publish a list of approved foreign medical universities?↓
No. The National Medical Commission (NMC) no longer issues a static 'approved universities list'. Instead, under the Foreign Medical Graduate Licentiate (FMGL) Regulations 2021, the NMC specifies mandatory conditions that the medical degree program must satisfy: 54 months minimum coursework, 12 months continuous internship at the same institution, 100% English-medium instruction, and license eligibility in the granting country.
How do I verify if a Vietnamese medical college is listed in WDOMS?↓
Visit search.wdoms.org, select 'Vietnam' under Country, and search for the university name. Check the 'Sponsor Notes' tab for the 'National Medical Commission, India' or 'ECFMG' endorsement ensuring international recognition.
What is Vietnam's Law 15/2023/QH15 regarding medical practice?↓
Law 15/2023/QH15 on Medical Examination and Treatment is Vietnam's updated national health law. It establishes a National Medical Assessment to evaluate clinical competency for medical practitioner licenses. Vietnamese language skills are taught during the degree to ensure students can communicate fluently during hospital rotations.
Will graduates from Vietnam be allowed to sit the NExT exam in India?↓
Yes, provided the student qualified NEET prior to admission and their degree fulfills all clauses of the FMGL Regulations 2021. Upon clearing NExT Step 1, completing the mandatory CRMI internship in India, and passing NExT Step 2, foreign medical graduates receive their permanent Indian medical practice registration.
On-Ground Clinical Verification

Clinical Ward Rotations & Cadaveric Anatomy Labs in Vietnam

NMC FMGL 2021 mandates comprehensive clinical clerkships in affiliated tertiary hospitals. Here is how partner universities conduct hands-on training for Indian MBBS students:

NMC FMGL 2021 Compliant Clinical Ward Rounds at Affiliated Teaching Hospital in Vietnam
Bedside Rounds

Tertiary Hospital Inpatient Clerkships

Indian students rotate through General Medicine, Surgery, Pediatrics, and Obstetrics under dual senior clinical professor supervision across 1,200+ to 2,500+ hospital beds.
Cadaveric dissection and medical skills laboratory compliant with National Medical Commission requirements
Practical Skills

Cadaveric Anatomy & Dissection Labs

Pre-clinical training includes hands-on cadaveric dissection, histology microscopy stations, and clinical simulation manikins strictly meeting NMC curriculum requirements.
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