Procedures and Costs for Obtaining a Spa Business License in 2025 – A Complete Guide

In recent years, the spa industry in Vietnam has experienced rapid growth, driven by emerging trends and high profitability. Consumers are increasingly investing in comprehensive wellness services that integrate modern technology. The growing awareness of a healthy lifestyle has significantly boosted the spa market, attracting many investors.

To operate legally and build credibility with customers, spas must comply with business registration regulations for beauty and wellness services. These regulations ensure that services meet hygiene and health safety standards, minimizing the risk of penalties or business suspension. Compliance also lays the foundation for sustainable growth in the highly competitive beauty industry. So, what are the procedures and costs involved in obtaining a spa business license?

1. What is a Spa Business License?

The government has established detailed regulations for registering a business license for beauty and wellness services to ensure service quality and legal compliance in spa operations. Obtaining a spa business license not only proves adherence to legal requirements but also plays a crucial role in building a spa’s credibility. A legally licensed spa gains customer trust by meeting strict hygiene, safety, and service quality standards. Additionally, having a business license helps spa owners proactively avoid legal risks.

Types of Spas in Vietnam

• Day Spa: Offers short-term relaxation and body care services, typically lasting 1-2 hours. Common services include relaxation massages, steam baths, mud baths, and stress-relief therapies.
• Beauty Spa: Focuses on non-invasive aesthetic treatments such as facial care, acne treatment, hair removal, and skin whitening. The primary goal is to enhance clients’ appearance while providing a relaxing space to unwind after long working hours.
• Medical Spa: Combines spa services with medical treatments, offering advanced beauty procedures like Botox injections, laser treatments, and skin rejuvenation. All services are performed under the supervision of specialized doctors.
• Clinic Spa: More advanced than Medical Spas, specializing in medical aesthetics and cosmetic surgery, including rhinoplasty, liposuction, and high-tech skin treatments. These procedures require highly skilled professionals and must be performed by certified doctors to ensure absolute safety.

2. Certificates and Qualifications Required to Obtain a Spa Business License

According to Article 37 of Decree 109/2016/NĐ-CP, obtaining the necessary certifications and qualifications is a fundamental requirement for legally operating a spa. To start a spa business, owners must secure a spa business license, a spa certification, a professional practice certificate, or a training certificate from a licensed vocational institution. Each type of spa has specific requirements for degrees and certifications, ensuring professionalism and safety in the services provided.

Spa Practitioner Certificate

• Spa owners must complete a professional training course at a state-recognized institution and obtain a Spa Practitioner Certificate issued by the Department of Labor, Invalids, and Social Affairs. This certificate verifies that the individual has been thoroughly trained in essential beauty care skills.

Skin Care Spa

• Spa owners and staff must possess a certified training diploma in skincare from legally recognized institutions. If the spa provides services involving advanced techniques such as microblading or microneedling, additional certification in infection control is required to ensure absolute safety for clients.

Aesthetic Spa

• It is mandatory to have a licensed doctor with specialized qualifications in plastic surgery and dermatology. The doctor must have at least 36 months of professional experience. Aesthetic spas are only permitted to perform minor cosmetic procedures. Major surgeries such as breast augmentation or buttock enhancement can only be performed in licensed cosmetic hospitals.

Medical Skin Treatment Spa

• Opening a skin treatment spa requires a dermatology certification to verify professional competency. If the spa utilizes high-tech devices such as lasers, Botox injections, or fillers, additional training certifications specific to each technology are required to ensure safety and effectiveness in service delivery.

3. Other Conditions Required for Obtaining a Spa Business License

3.1. Business Type

• Sole Proprietorship (Household Business):A sole proprietorship is suitable for small spas or home-based spas that primarily serve local customers. This type of business license is easy to register, has simple procedures, and involves low costs. However, it has limitations, such as not being allowed to have multiple branches and being restricted to a maximum of 10 employees. Sole proprietorships typically do not require complex accounting systems, reducing financial management pressure for spa owners.
• Enterprise: Businesses can choose among the following structures: limited liability company (LLC), joint-stock company, or private enterprise..
  • Limited Liability Company (LLC): This is a preferred option due to its ability to protect personal assets. The owner’s liability is limited to their capital contribution. It is a popular choice for medium- and large-sized spas.
  • Joint-Stock Company: Suitable for large spas with plans to raise investment capital from multiple shareholders. This structure facilitates business expansion, brand development, and potential stock market listing if eligibility criteria are met.
  • Private Enterprise: The owner has unlimited liability and is responsible for all debts using personal assets. While this business type offers simpler management, it carries higher risks compared to other structures.

3.2. Business Registration Categories

According to Decision No. 27/2018/QĐ-TTg, issued on July 6, 2018, by the Prime Minister regarding the classification of business industries, the following industry codes are relevant to spa services:

• Industry Code 9610: Sauna, massage, and similar health-enhancing services (excluding sports activities). This category includes services such as massage, sauna, sunbathing, and non-surgical aesthetic treatments like fat reduction and body contouring.
• Industry Code 9631: Other personal care services not classified elsewhere. This category includes beauty services such as haircuts, perming, straightening, dyeing, blow-drying for both men and women, eyebrow and eyeliner tattooing, shaving, facial massage, nail care, and makeup services.

3.3. Personnel Requirements

According to Clause 3, Article 38 of Decree No. 109/2016/NĐ-CP, massage service businesses must comply with the following regulations:

• Employee Attire and Identification: Massage therapists must wear professional and neat uniforms. Employee ID cards must display the business name, employee’s full name, and a photo for easy identification and professionalism.
• Professional Qualifications: Employees performing massage or physiotherapy services must have a professional license or a certificate from a recognized training institution. They must possess specialized knowledge in physiotherapy, traditional medicine, or rehabilitation.
• Health and Professional Ethics Requirements:

  • Health Requirements: Employees must undergo regular health check-ups every 3 to 6 months to ensure they are free from infectious diseases, protecting both clients and colleagues.

  • Professional Ethics: Employees must adhere to ethical standards, including:
    • Honesty and dedication to their work.
    • Professional attitude and respect for clients.
    • Strict confidentiality regarding client information and health conditions.

Important Note: Individuals suffering from mental illness, hepatitis B, tuberculosis, skin diseases, or other infectious diseases under treatment are prohibited from practicing in the spa industry to ensure hygiene and public health safety. Compliance with these regulations helps businesses operate legally and gain customer trust.

3.4. Facility Requirements

According to Article 38 of Decree No. 109/2016/NĐ-CP, to obtain a professional license and an operating permit for massage service businesses, the following conditions must be met:

Facility Requirements:

• Location: The facility must be in a fixed location, have adequate lighting, and be separate from residential areas.
• Massage Rooms:
  • Each massage room must have a minimum area of 4m² and a ceiling height of over 2.5m.
  • A one-way emergency bell must be installed to connect the massage room to a doctor’s office or the reception area for immediate assistance.
  • Rooms must not have locks or internal security latches to prevent unauthorized activities.
  • Lighting should be moderate, with no dimmable switches, and the light switch must be located outside the massage room.
  • A clearly printed massage procedure guide (size A1) must be displayed in a visible location inside the massage room.
  • Restrooms and shower rooms must be hygienic, have a stable electricity and water supply, and provide a comfortable environment for clients.

Equipment Requirements:

• Massage Equipment: The spa must have massage beds, chairs, or mats suitable for different types of massage services. Bed linens, towels, and pillows must be kept clean at all times.
• Medical Equipment: The facility must be equipped with a first-aid kit, an examination bed, a work desk, and medical tools such as stethoscopes, blood pressure monitors, thermometers, and syringes for emergency use.
• Emergency Medications: The facility must stock essential first-aid medications to handle unexpected health incidents during client service.

4. Procedures for Registering a Spa Business License

4.1. Preparing the Application

For Sole Proprietorship (Household Business) Registration:

• Business Registration Application for a household business.
• A notarized copy of the National ID card (CMND), Citizen Identification Card (CCCD), or Passport of the household business owner (issued within the last 6 months).
• Minutes of the group meeting regarding the establishment of the household business (if the business is founded by a group of individuals).

For Enterprise Registration:

• Enterprise Establishment Application.
• List of shareholders or capital-contributing members, depending on the registered business type.
• Notarized copies of National ID cards (CMND), Citizen Identification Cards (CCCD), or Passports of shareholders, capital-contributing members, the business owner, the legal representative, and the authorized person for license registration.
• Company charter.

4.2. Application Submission Process

• Submitting the Application to the Competent Authority:
  • Submission location: Business Registration Office under the District/City People’s Committee, where the spa is headquartered.
  • Applications can be submitted in person or through the online business registration portal (if available).
• Processing Time:
  • For Sole Proprietorship Registration: Within 3 business days from the date of receipt.
  • For Enterprise Registration: Within 7 business days from the date of receipt.
• Completing Additional Procedures:
  • Registering for taxes and obtaining a tax identification number.
  • Registering a company seal (for company-type businesses).
  • Registering employees and social insurance for staff.
  • Ensuring compliance with hygiene, food safety, and fire prevention regulations as required by local authorities.

5. Costs Related to Obtaining a Spa Business License

5.1. Business Registration Fees

• Enterprise Registration Fee: According to Circular No. 47/2019/TT-BTC, the fee for new issuance, reissuance, or modification of the Business Registration Certificate is 50,000 VND per application.
• Business Registration Content Announcement Fee: Also stated in the Circular, the fee for announcing the business registration details is 100,000 VND per application.

5.2. Training and Certification Costs for Employees

• Specialized Training Course Fees: To meet the requirements for obtaining professional certification and practicing licenses in spa services, employees must complete specialized courses such as massage, aesthetics, and physiotherapy. Tuition fees range from 5,000,000 to 20,000,000 VND per course, depending on the content and training level.
• Spa Practitioner Certification Fee: The cost of obtaining a spa practitioner certificate typically ranges from 500,000 to 1,000,000 VND per person, depending on the training institution and licensing authority.
• Advanced Training Costs: For professional spas, advanced training costs can reach tens of millions of VND per person to train expert aestheticians and high-level massage technicians.

5.3. Infrastructure Investment Costs

• Equipment: This includes massage beds, steam machines, exfoliation devices, LED light therapy machines, hair removal devices, etc. The average cost ranges from 50,000,000 to 500,000,000 VND, depending on the spa’s scale and equipment quality.
• Interior Furnishings: Investment in furniture such as tables, chairs, storage cabinets, display shelves, room dividers, and other decorative items. The estimated interior investment is 30,000,000 to 200,000,000 VND.

5.4. Other Costs

• Rental Fees: The cost of renting a business space varies from 10,000,000 to 50,000,000 VND per month or more, depending on the location (city center vs. residential areas).
• Advertising Costs: To build brand awareness, advertising expenses include online ads, website design, and spa signage. The average cost ranges from 10,000,000 to 50,000,000 VND or more for a three-month promotional campaign.
• Utilities (Electricity, Water, Internet): Monthly utility expenses for a spa range from 2,000,000 to 10,000,000 VND, depending on the spa’s size and customer volume.

6. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Do I need a professional certification to open a spa?

• Yes. To legally operate a spa, the owner or a responsible professional must have a spa practitioner certificate or a training certificate from a licensed institution. This requirement ensures that service providers possess the necessary skills and knowledge for safe and high-quality services.

What documents are required for spa business registration?

For an individual household business:

• The owner or responsible professional must have a spa practitioner certificate.
• A business registration application (as per the official template).
• Proof of a legitimate business location (rental contract or land use certificate).

For a company:

• No immediate requirement for certification upon registration.
• However, if offering physical therapy, rehabilitation, or traditional medicine services, additional sub-licenses may be required, proving technical and professional qualifications.
• If the spa provides treatments involving prescribed medications, a licensed medical professional (such as a doctor specializing in dermatology or related fields) must be in charge, according to Article 38, Clause 3, Point Q of Decree 109/2016/ND-CP.

Can I open a home-based spa without a business license?

If your spa does not offer massage or medical-related treatments, obtaining a spa operating license is not mandatory. However, you must:

• Register as an individual household business by submitting the required legal documents, including personal information and a valid business location.
• Ensure compliance with basic legal and safety regulations, including hygiene and sanitation.

How much capital is required to start a spa business?

• The required investment varies by spa type:

  • Small spa with basic services: Providing facial treatments, scalp massage, and body relaxation services for budget-conscious customers. Requires around 200 million VND for 3-4 treatment beds.
  • Mid-range spa: Offers a broader range of services catering to middle- and high-income clients. Requires at least 300 million VND for 6+ treatment beds and essential equipment.
  • Luxury spa: High-end beauty centers targeting premium customers, requiring 6-8 treatment beds, including VIP sections. Total investment starts from 700 million VND, covering advanced equipment and premium services.

Should I use spa management software?

Yes. Using spa management software helps automate operations, including:

• Appointment scheduling and customer data management.
• Tracking revenue, expenses, and inventory.
• Optimizing customer service with automated reminders and feedback collection.

Is it necessary to establish a company to run a spa?

• No, registering a household business or private enterprise is sufficient for most small and medium-sized spas. However, larger spas or chain businesses may benefit from company registration, facilitating expansion and brand credibility.

Conclusion

Obtaining a spa business license involves multiple steps, including document preparation, certification, and registration with the appropriate authorities. Spa owners must also comply with hygiene, safety, and professional qualifications to ensure a legal and successful operation. Adhering to regulations not only ensures a smooth business process but also builds trust and professionalism among customers. Entrepreneurs should view business licensing as a solid foundation for long-term success in the beauty industry.