In Vietnam, a small spa that only offers ordinary services (relaxation massage, basic skin care, herbal hair washing) usually needs at least: a household business (or company) registration certificate listing the right business lines, compliance with security and public order conditions if it offers massage, fire safety, and tax registration. Invasive services such as injections, invasive tattooing and permanent make-up, or therapeutic laser belong to cosmetic medicine and medical treatment and need a licence from the health authorities — an ordinary spa is not allowed to do them. Rules can change and differ between localities, so before you start, check with the local ward or commune People's Committee and the local finance and planning office where the spa will be located.
By the end of this lesson, you will be able to:
- Distinguish ordinary spa services from cosmetic medical services, so you know which paperwork your menu requires.
- List the 5 groups of procedures for opening a spa: business registration, business lines, security and public order, fire safety, tax.
- Assess whether you can open a spa at home: premises, emergency exits, hygiene, neighbours.
- Draw up a budget for a small 2–3 bed spa and calculate a contingency fund.
- Prepare a document pack and a checklist of questions for the local authorities before you spend money on renting premises.
Getting ready to open your own spa? The NAMBIN course Spa Therapist Level 4 – Manager shows you how to open a spa legally, plan your finances, build a menu and set prices, write operating procedures and manage a team of therapists — for experienced therapists who want to become their own boss.
Important: this lesson describes the situation in Vietnam and is career guidance, not legal advice. Procedures, fees and tax rates below are described as "under current regulations" — they change over time and are applied differently from one province to another, so always check the current rules with your local authorities. If you plan to open a spa in another country, the categories in this lesson (business registration, massage-specific permits, fire safety, tax, the line between beauty and medical services) are a useful checklist, but the actual requirements will be different. Amounts are 2026 references in Vietnamese dong (VND) and vary by region; as a rough guide, 25,000 VND is about 1 US dollar.
Which licences do you need to open a spa? The short answer by type of service
The paperwork depends on which services you provide, not on the word "spa" on your sign: if you only offer massage and basic skin care, the procedures are fairly simple; add filler injections or laser treatment for melasma and you have moved into the medical field.
| Service group | Examples | Basic paperwork usually needed | Can an ordinary spa do it? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ordinary care | Relaxation massage, herbal hair washing, basic facials, exfoliation, face masks, waxing | Household business or company registration with the right business lines, fire safety, tax | Yes |
| Massage (a business line with security and public order conditions) | Body massage, foot massage, steam bath | In addition: a file showing you meet the security and public order conditions, as instructed by the local police | Yes, once the conditions are met |
| Cosmetic medicine – medical treatment | Filler, botox, mesotherapy injections, invasive tattooing and permanent make-up, therapeutic laser, deep microneedling, deep chemical peels | An operating licence from the health authorities, and practitioners holding a medical practising certificate | No |
In short: if a service does not pierce the skin, does not use medicines and does not use treatment devices, it is an ordinary spa service. Once needles, injectable substances or lasers aimed at treatment are involved, treat it as the job of a medical facility. Figure 1 shows a typical treatment room in a spa that only offers care services.
Photo: Matt @ PEK from Taipei, Taiwan / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 2.0
The line between an ordinary spa and cosmetic medicine: do not let your menu cross it
This is where the biggest risk lies: if a client suffers complications after an injection at a facility without a medical licence, the owner may face criminal liability and the business may be closed down.
Ordinary spa services (allowed once your business paperwork is complete)
- Relaxation body massage, foot massage, head, neck and shoulder massage.
- Herbal hair washing with scalp massage, steam bath, herbal foot soak.
- Basic facial care: cleansing, surface exfoliation, facial massage, face masks, moisturising.
- Extraction of surface blackheads and whiteheads following an aseptic procedure, waxing, body brightening with registered topical cosmetics.
Services that belong to cosmetic medicine and medical treatment (not allowed in an ordinary spa)
- Injecting anything into the skin: filler, botox, mesotherapy, "whitening injections", fat-dissolving injections.
- Invasive tattooing and permanent make-up, any procedure that changes the structure of the skin, eyelids, lips or nose.
- Laser, IPL or RF for treatment purposes (melasma, tattoo removal, scars), deep microneedling, deep peels with high-concentration acids.
- Prescribing or selling medicines, "treating" severe inflammatory acne or skin diseases.
Photo: No machine-readable author provided. Fifo assumed (based on copyright claims). / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 2.5
Three "grey areas" to ask about carefully before adding them to your menu
Some services sit between the two groups, depending on how they are done and which equipment is used: cosmetic eyebrow tattooing, hair removal machines, skin peels. The safe approach is: (1) read the current rules on cosmetic practice carefully, (2) ask the district health office or the provincial Department of Health directly, and (3) if you have no clear answer yet, do not put it on the menu. In-depth knowledge about this boundary is covered in the NAMBIN Level 3 and Level 4 courses.
Warning: do not believe claims such as "the machine supplier says any spa can use it" or "a 3-day course gives you a filler injection certificate". A short-course certificate does not replace the operating licence and practising certificate issued by the health sector. Advertising medical services without a licence is also a violation.
Procedures for opening a spa: 5 groups of tasks in order
Opening an ordinary spa in Vietnam involves five groups of tasks. Doing them in the right order means you will not have to rebuild your premises or remake your sign. Names, forms and receiving offices can change with current regulations and with how local government is organised, so call or visit to ask before each step.
Step 1: choose between a household business and a company
A spa with 2–3 beds, one owner and few staff usually chooses a household business (a simple form of sole-proprietor registration in Vietnam): a simple file, low cost, and tax paid in a way that fits the size of the business. Choose a company (a single-member limited liability company) if you have co-investors, want to issue invoices to businesses, sign contracts with hotels, or plan to open several branches.
| Criterion | Household business | Limited liability company |
|---|---|---|
| Suits | A small spa at one location, where the owner works directly | Partners who invest together, several branches |
| Where to register | The business registration office at commune or district level where the spa is located (ask the ward/commune People's Committee) | The provincial business registration office |
| Books and accounting | Simple | Requires an accountant and financial statements |
| Liability | All of the owner's personal assets | Limited to the capital contributed |
Step 2: list the right business lines
When you register, the business lines must match the services you actually provide. Spas usually register groups such as steam bath, massage and similar health-enhancing services (excluding sports activities), hairdressing and hair washing, and non-medical beauty services. Look up the exact codes in the current national classification of economic activities, or ask the officer who receives your file for guidance. Do not register "cosmetic medicine" if you do not hold a medical licence — having a business line on paper does not mean you are allowed to do it.
Step 3: security and public order conditions for massage
Under current regulations, massage services are a business line with security and public order conditions. Usually you need to submit a file to the competent police authority and be confirmed as meeting the conditions before you start operating. The file often includes: the business registration certificate, a personal background statement of the person named on the registration, and documents on the premises' fire safety. General requirements are that massage rooms must operate in a wholesome way, room doors must not be locked from the inside, lighting must be adequate, and staff must be listed with clear contracts. Ask the ward or commune police where the spa is located for the exact documents.
Step 4: fire prevention and fire fighting (fire safety)
A spa has lots of towels and linen, massage oil, steamers, dryers and sockets — all of them fire sources. Depending on floor area, number of storeys and type of building, the premises may only need to equip and inspect themselves, or may need a design review and acceptance by the fire police. At a minimum you should have:
- Portable fire extinguishers (powder or CO2) placed in the corridor, at reception and near the laundry area.
- Emergency exit signs and emergency lighting, with exits not blocked by shelves or beds.
- Residual current breakers for wet areas (steam bath, hair washing); the wiring for the dryer and the towel steamer on separate circuits, never sharing one socket.
- Fire safety rules posted on the wall, and staff trained to use the extinguishers.
Photo: Mibrahim74 / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 3.0
Step 5: tax and bookkeeping
Once registered, a household business is managed for tax under current regulations: small households often use presumptive (lump-sum) tax, where the tax office sets the revenue and the tax amount for each period, while households with higher revenue, or under newer policies, may have to declare their actual revenue and use e-invoices or a cash register. Tax policy for household businesses is being adjusted, so ask the tax office responsible for your area about: the taxable revenue threshold, the tax rate for services, the payment period and whether invoices are required. Even if you pay a lump sum, keep a daily income and expense book so you know whether the spa is making a profit or a loss.
| Group of procedures | Where to ask (reference) | When |
|---|---|---|
| Household business registration, business lines | Ward/commune People's Committee, local finance and planning office | Before opening |
| Security and public order conditions (massage) | Ward/commune police, the competent police authority | After business registration, before operating |
| Fire safety | Local fire police | Before renovating the premises (so the design is right) |
| Tax | The tax office responsible for your area | Immediately after business registration |
| Medical services (if any) | Provincial Department of Health / district health office | Before adding them to the menu — an ordinary spa skips this |
Opening a spa at home: possible, but it must meet the standard
Many therapists start with one room on the ground floor of their own house — the cheapest option because there is no rent. The conditions for a home spa are basically the same as for rented premises: you still have to register the business at that address, and still meet the security and public order conditions (if you offer massage) and fire safety. In addition, pay attention to:
- Separating business and living areas: a separate entrance, or at least clients should not walk through the family's bedrooms or kitchen.
- Property documents: apartment buildings often restrict service businesses inside flats — read the building rules and ask the management board first. If you rent the house, you need the landlord's written consent.
- Hygiene and hot water: a toilet for clients, a hand basin in the treatment area, and a separate place to wash and dry towels.
- Neighbours: the noise of washing machines and dryers at night, and clients parking motorbikes in front of other people's houses, are the most common sources of complaints.
- Emergency exit: a tube house with a roller shutter locked from inside during treatments is dangerous if there is a fire — always keep one exit that can be opened immediately.
Photo: Santeri Viinamäki / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
Cost of opening a small 2–3 bed spa: a 2026 reference budget
The cost of opening a small spa varies widely with location and level of investment. The table below compares two common options: a 2-bed spa at home (no rent) and a 3-bed spa in rented premises in a residential area of a city, with rent of about 8 million VND per month (roughly 320 USD). Figures are 2026 references, varying by region; replace them with your own real quotes.
| Item | 2-bed home spa (million VND) | 3-bed rented spa (million VND) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Deposit and first month's rent | 0 | 24 | 2 months' deposit + 1 month × 8 million |
| Repairs, painting, partitions, electrical and plumbing | 10 | 40 | Includes separate circuits for wet areas |
| Beds, therapist stools, trolleys | 12 | 18 | About 6 million per set |
| Towels, sheets, washing machine and dryer | 8 | 15 | At least 3 sets of towels per bed |
| Facial steamer, magnifying lamp, towel steamer | 6 | 12 | Basic care equipment, not treatment machines |
| Cosmetics, massage oil, initial supplies | 8 | 15 | Choose products with valid registration |
| Fire safety: extinguishers, emergency lights, exit signs | 2 | 3 | Excludes an automatic fire alarm system |
| Sign, reception desk, booking software | 4 | 10 | |
| Fees, paperwork, other procedural costs | 2 | 3 | Fees follow the current local fee schedule |
| 3-month operating contingency fund | 18 | 60 | Covers shortfalls while the client base grows |
| Total | 70 (about 2,800 USD) | 200 (about 8,000 USD) |
Check the sums: home spa 0 + 10 + 12 + 8 + 6 + 8 + 2 + 4 + 2 + 18 = 70 million; rented spa 24 + 40 + 18 + 15 + 12 + 15 + 3 + 10 + 3 + 60 = 200 million. The contingency fund is 18 of 70 and 60 of 200 — do not cut it, because in the first 2–3 months a new spa usually does not yet have enough regular clients.
Often forgotten: electricity bills rise sharply because of the washer-dryer, air conditioning and hot water, plus the cost of opening promotions.
Photo: Matt @ PEK from Taipei, Taiwan / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 2.0
Worked example: Hoa opens a 3-bed spa after 5 years as a therapist
Hoa, 29, has worked as a senior therapist for 5 years and has about 40 regular clients. She plans to rent the 45 m² ground floor of a townhouse for 8 million VND per month and open 3 beds with this menu: 60/90-minute body massage, herbal hair washing and basic facials. An acquaintance suggests adding "skin-whitening mesotherapy injections" because they sell at a high price.
Step 1: review the menu
Hoa keeps massage, hair washing and basic skin care; she drops the mesotherapy injections, because that service uses a needle to put a substance into the skin and belongs to cosmetic medicine. She notes: if clients want this service, she will refer them to a licensed medical facility and will not do it herself.
Step 2: ask before signing the lease
She takes a hand-drawn floor plan to the ward People's Committee to ask about household business registration and business lines, asks the ward police about the security and public order file for massage services, and asks the fire police about the requirements for her single-storey premises. She adds clauses to the lease stating that the landlord agrees to a spa business and to the installation of partitions.
Step 3: finalise the budget
Following the table above, she budgets 200 million VND, including 60 million of contingency. She has 140 million of her own and borrows 60 million from family: 140 + 60 = 200 million. Fixed monthly costs are estimated at 20 million (8 million rent, 3 million electricity and water, 9 million for one assistant therapist's wage and basic supplies) — 3 months of contingency is 3 × 20 = 60 million, which matches the table.
Common mistakes when opening a small spa
Signing the lease first, asking about procedures later
Premises with no emergency exit, an apartment building that bans service businesses, a landlord who will not let you register the address — finding out after you have paid the deposit means losing money. Always ask the local authorities and read the lease carefully first.
Registering business lines that do not match the services
Registering only "hairdressing and hair washing" while actually doing body massage means a business line is missing, and you will be penalised at inspection. List all the services you really provide when you register.
Putting invasive services on the menu "just to look good"
Hanging a banner saying "filler injections, permanent make-up, laser for melasma" to attract clients is a violation even if you have not done a single treatment. Your menu, social media page and sign must only show permitted services.
Checklist before opening day
- The menu contains only ordinary spa services; the "grey area" services have been clarified.
- Household business or company registration certificate with the correct address and business lines.
- The security and public order file has been submitted and the result received (if you offer massage).
- Fire extinguishers, emergency lights, exit signs and fire safety rules in the right places; staff know how to use the extinguishers.
- Registered for tax, know the payment period and method (lump-sum or declaration); an income and expense book is in place.
- Price list publicly displayed, staff list ready, cosmetics with invoices showing their origin.
To find out which trade certificates you should have before putting your name on a spa, read the lesson trade certificates and the spa career path. If you are weighing up employment against opening your own shop, the lesson how much a spa therapist earns (in Vietnamese) helps you compare your current income with the risks of being an owner.
Frequently asked questions
Which licences do I need to open a spa that only offers massage and basic skin care?
In Vietnam you usually need a household business (or company) registration with the right business lines, compliance with the security and public order conditions for massage, fire safety and tax registration. No medical licence is needed if you do not offer invasive services. Check with the ward/commune People's Committee and the local finance and planning office before you start, because the rules change and differ between localities.
How long does it take to complete the procedures for opening a spa?
Household business registration usually takes only a few working days when the file is complete; the security and public order and fire safety files can take a few more weeks depending on the locality. Including renovation, many small spas need about 4–8 weeks from the first enquiry to opening day.
What are the conditions for opening a spa at home?
The property must be allowed to register a business at that address (apartment buildings often restrict this), the treatment area must be separate from family living space, there must be a toilet and hand basin for clients, the emergency exit must not be locked, and you still have to complete all the same procedures as a spa in rented premises.
How much does it cost to open a small spa?
As a 2026 reference that varies by region: about 70 million VND (around 2,800 USD) for a 2-bed home spa, and about 200 million VND (around 8,000 USD) for a 3-bed spa in rented premises, including a 3-month contingency fund. You can open for less by reusing things you already own, but do not drop the contingency fund.
Can a spa do tattooing, filler injections or laser treatments?
An ordinary spa may not provide invasive services such as injections, invasive tattooing and permanent make-up or therapeutic laser — these belong to cosmetic medicine and medical treatment, which require a licence from the health sector and practitioners with the appropriate practising certificate.
How long should a therapist train before opening their own spa?
Usually after several years as a senior therapist, plus some management knowledge. The lesson how long it takes to learn spa work (in Vietnamese) has a timeline from apprentice to senior therapist to help you estimate.
Practice exercises and self-assessment
- Write your planned menu and mark each service as "ordinary", "grey area" or "medical". Cross out the "medical" column.
- Make a list of questions to take to the ward/commune People's Committee, the ward/commune police, the fire police and the tax office.
- Fill in the budget table again with real quotes from your area; add it up yourself and calculate a 3-month contingency fund.
Self-assessment criteria
- Pass: your menu has no invasive services left, and you can explain to a client why the spa does not offer them.
- Pass: you can name all 5 groups of procedures and where to ask about each one.
- Pass: your budget adds up correctly and includes a contingency fund of at least 3 months of fixed costs.
- Not yet: you plan to sign a lease before asking about procedures, or you skip fire safety.
Open a legal spa that is profitable from year one: the course Spa Therapist Level 4 – Manager takes you from spa opening procedures, floor plan design, financial planning and break-even point to menu building, pricing per bed-minute and managing a team of therapists — with exercises that build a plan for your own spa.
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