Vocational Q&A

Massage courses "approved by the Ministry of Health and MOLISA": the honest truth about paperwork and how to check for yourself

Lương Y (traditional healer) Tống Văn Huynh · Tong Gia Acupoint Wellness (Huyệt Đạo Tống Gia) · 20/10/2026

Quick summary: People searching for a massage course approved by the Ministry of Health (Bộ Y tế) or the Ministry of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs (Bộ LĐTBXH, MOLISA) usually need paperwork to open a shop or get a job. But a short massage course is not health-sector training, and the words "Ministry-approved" in an advert must be verified against a specific licence. Ask clearly what licence the school holds, who issued it, and what the paper you receive after the course can actually be used for. Tong Gia does not label itself "Ministry-approved"; what Tong Gia teaches is hand skill.

Why do people search for "massage course approved by the Ministry of Health / MOLISA"?

The phrase "massage course approved by the Ministry of Health / MOLISA" is searched a lot. Behind it there is usually one of three very real worries:

• Wanting to open a shop: fear of lacking paperwork when doing business registration or when an inspection team visits.
• Wanting to get a job: fear that the employer will demand a paper "with a Ministry stamp".
• Fear of being scammed: wanting a quick criterion to rule out poor schools.

All three worries are legitimate. But the phrase "Ministry-approved" is often used as an advertising slogan without anyone explaining exactly what standard it is or who recognises it. In this article Tong Gia states plainly what we know at a general level, and the questions you should ask to check for yourself.

Massage courses "approved by the Ministry of Health / MOLISA": which agency oversees what?

The section below is only a general understanding and does not replace the opinion of the competent authorities. Regulations can change; please check again with your local authority before deciding.

The health sector

Professions within the health sector, such as physiotherapy, require formal training and a practising licence under health-sector regulations. A short massage course does not turn a learner into a licensed health professional, whatever words the advert uses.

The vocational training sector

Vocational training has its own system of licensed institutions under separate regulations. Note that from 2025 the ministries were reorganised: MOLISA no longer exists in its previous form, and vocational education has been transferred to another agency. So when you see an advert saying "MOLISA-approved", you have all the more reason to ask exactly which licence it is, what year it was issued and who issued it.

The business sector

Running a massage service is a conditional business line. Shop owners need to look into the procedures in their locality, which usually involve business registration and requirements on security and public order, premises and staff. Ask the licensing authority where you plan to open your shop directly about the specific requirements; don't just take a training centre's word for it.

Why Tong Gia does not label itself "Ministry-approved"

Tong Gia does not claim that its courses are recognised by the Ministry of Health or MOLISA, nor does it promise any certificate or qualification of that kind. For the type of paper you receive after the course and its legal value, please ask reception directly before paying the fee.

The reason is simple: Tong Gia is a hands-on wellness and relaxation care service, not a medical service. The programme was built by Lương Y Tống Văn Huynh from more than 13 years in Eastern-medicine nourishing care, Y Tướng Học (face reading for wellness) and spinal nerve-reflex balancing, and is used every day at the two branches in District 12 and District 9. What Tong Gia wants to give you is hand skill, not a stamp.

Tong Gia also does not promise jobs or income after the course.

7 questions to verify a "Ministry-approved" advert

Wherever you study, when you see an advert that says "approved by the Ministry of Health" or "approved by MOLISA", ask:

1. Does the training institution have a licence for vocational education activities? Can they show you a copy?
2. Which agency issued that licence, in what year, and for which occupations?
3. After the course, what kind of paper do students receive: an elementary-level certificate, an internal certificate, or a confirmation of attendance?
4. What specifically can that paper be used for: applying for jobs, opening a shop, or only recording that you studied?
5. Where can the information about the institution or that paper be looked up?
6. If the authorities do not recognise that paper, how will the centre handle it?
7. Are all the answers above written into the contract or the receipt?

If you get vague answers, such as "just study, the paperwork can be sorted out", you should stop. To be even more careful, you can ask the local management office directly to verify.

What clients pay for is the hands, not a piece of paper

Paperwork may be needed for procedures, but clients lying on the bed don't ask for papers; they feel with their bodies. A practitioner with solid hands needs to:

• Know how to observe before touching: build, posture, complexion.
• Know how to do muscle release and acupressure at the right spots, with the right pressure, following a clear routine.
• Know how to communicate and keep appropriate boundaries with clients.
• Know the limits: with long-lasting pain, numbness or weakness that keeps increasing, an underlying condition and so on, do not continue, but advise the client to see a doctor at a healthcare facility.

At Tong Gia, these skills are taught through a 4-level ladder (see the 4-level vocational ladder): L1 Introduction to Y Tướng Học (1.500.000đ), L2 Basic Vocation, L3 Specialist, L4 Master and Transfer. About 70% of class time is hands-on practice on real people, in small classes, with the Lương Y coaching each person. Fees for L2 to L4, number of sessions and duration are given by a consultant or reception when you register.

If you want to learn more, you can read how a health-care practising certificate differs from short-course paperwork. If you are a shop owner, see also what to learn to open a wellness massage shop.

How to register

1. Come to the free trial class on Saturday morning, 8:30–12:00 every week, 10 places, at unit T16-21, Manhattan area, Vinhomes Grand Park, Phường Long Bình, TP. Thủ Đức (Long Binh Ward, Thu Duc City). There you can ask reception any of the paperwork questions above.
2. Message Zalo 0888 264 559 to hold a place.
3. The L1 class opens on Saturday 31/10/2026, 14:00–17:00; message "KHAI MẠC" (Opening) on Zalo to reserve a seat.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need a Ministry of Health certificate to learn massage? Wellness and relaxation massage is not a health-sector profession; only professions within the health sector, such as physiotherapy, require formal training and a practising licence. For the specific paperwork needed to open a shop, ask your local authority.

Is Tong Gia's massage course recognised by a Ministry? Tong Gia does not claim that its courses are recognised by the Ministry of Health or MOLISA. For the type of paper you receive after the course and its legal value, please ask reception directly before paying the fee.

What paperwork do I need to open a massage shop? Running a massage service is a conditional business line; procedures usually include business registration and requirements on security and public order and premises. Ask the licensing authority where you plan to open the shop directly.

How can I tell whether a massage school advertising "Ministry-approved" is genuine? Ask to see a copy of the licence, the issuing agency, the year of issue, the occupations covered and the type of paper students receive. The answers should be written into the contract or receipt; if they are vague, you should stop.

Does MOLISA still oversee vocational training now? From 2025 the ministries were reorganised and vocational education has moved to another agency. Check the latest information with the state authorities before believing an advert.

Related articles

• How much does a therapeutic-style massage course cost? How to add up every expense before you pay
• Health-care practising certificates: how they differ from short-course paperwork, and 6 questions to ask before you pay
• Ethics and professional limits in Y Tướng Học: knowing how to look and knowing when to stop
• Learning massage as a beginner: can you learn with weak hands, at an older age, or if you are shy about touch?
• All articles on vocational learning

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Reserve a free Saturday-morning trial class or ask about the learning path: message Zalo 0888 264 559.