On September 8, 2025, the usually bustling Tuyet Chinh Dental Clinic in Ho Chi Minh City found its doors shuttered and its reputation under a glaring spotlight. The abrupt closure followed a shocking incident that quickly captured public attention: a dentist at the clinic, Dr. N.T.T.C., was caught on video assaulting a patient—an act that has ignited debate about medical ethics, regulatory oversight, and patient safety across Vietnam.
The Department of Health of Ho Chi Minh City acted with uncommon speed. According to Kinhtedothi, the department launched an unannounced inspection of the clinic at 49 Tran Thi Nghia, Hanh Thong Ward, just one day after the incident came to light. The clinic provided all the required business registration and medical practice licenses, with Dr. N.T.T.C. listed as the technical and professional lead. But the paperwork was only the beginning of the story.
During the inspection, officials discovered a slew of serious violations. The clinic failed to maintain the required facility standards, offered medical services beyond its licensed specialty, neglected to keep proper patient records, and advertised services outside the scope of its official permit. Perhaps most concerning, three staff members actively practicing at the clinic could not produce professional practice certificates when asked. These findings only deepened the sense of alarm already swirling around the case.
The chain of events began, as reported by VnExpress, when a 31-year-old patient, N.T.T.T., who had been receiving orthodontic treatment at the clinic since 2021, became dissatisfied with her results. She posted complaints online and returned to the clinic seeking a refund. What happened next was both unexpected and disturbing: during a heated confrontation, Dr. N.T.T.C. physically assaulted the patient, reportedly striking her with a metal bar, squeezing her neck, and smashing her phone and glasses—items valued at about 20 million VND. A friend of the patient captured the incident on video, which quickly circulated on social media, amplifying public outrage.
In a statement quoted by VnExpress, the Director of Ho Chi Minh City’s Department of Health, Tang Chi Thuong, left no room for ambiguity: "The Department of Health of Ho Chi Minh City strongly condemns the actions of the doctor in the white coat who assaulted, harmed the health, and damaged the property of the patient, regardless of the cause." This firm stance was echoed in multiple reports, with authorities pledging both an internal review and full cooperation with the local police, who are now investigating the incident as a potential criminal matter.
After the incident, representatives from the Department of Health visited Hoan My Sai Gon Hospital to check on the patient and offer support to her family. As of September 8, the patient’s health was reported as temporarily stable, though she remains under medical observation. The patient herself told investigators that she had paid 22 million VND for her braces at Tuyet Chinh Dental Clinic. After the removal of her braces, she experienced significant pain and was later diagnosed with bone necrosis at another facility. This diagnosis intensified her dissatisfaction and led to the confrontation at the clinic.
Dr. N.T.T.C., the dentist at the center of the scandal, did not deny her actions. She admitted to authorities that she was the person seen in the viral video wearing a white coat and assaulting the patient. According to her account, the dispute escalated after the patient repeatedly posted about her dissatisfaction on social media and demanded a refund. However, as the Department of Health emphasized, no provocation could justify such a breach of professional conduct and ethics.
The fallout has been swift and decisive. The Department of Health immediately suspended the clinic’s operations to clarify all violations and ensure a thorough investigation. The department also promised strict penalties for any breaches of law or professional standards. As stated in Nguoi Lao Dong, "In the meantime, the police of Hanh Thong Ward continue to investigate and collect evidence, while the Department of Health has decided to temporarily suspend the operations of Tuyet Chinh Dental Clinic, further clarifying violations and pledging strict handling according to regulations."
Beyond the immediate case, the incident has prompted broader warnings from health authorities. The Department of Health has urged the public to carefully verify the credentials of medical facilities before seeking treatment. They have recommended that patients use the official online portal (tracuu.medinet.org.vn) to check a clinic’s licensing status and to report any suspected violations via the department’s hotlines (0967.771.010, 0989.401.155) or the “Y tế trực tuyến” application. "To protect the rights and health of the people, the Department of Health recommends that the community check information carefully when choosing medical facilities," the department advised, underscoring the importance of vigilance in an era where social media can both expose and amplify malpractice.
This is not the first time Vietnam’s health sector has faced scrutiny over ethical lapses and regulatory gaps. Recent years have seen a string of high-profile incidents involving unlicensed or poorly regulated clinics, with some cases resulting in serious injury or even death. The Ministry of Health has responded with intensified inspections and stricter enforcement, but the Tuyet Chinh case highlights the persistent challenges in ensuring consistent, high-quality care—especially as private clinics proliferate to meet rising demand.
For many observers, the incident is a wake-up call. It raises uncomfortable questions: How many similar violations go undetected? Are current regulations and enforcement mechanisms sufficient to protect patients? And what more can be done to restore trust in Vietnam’s fast-evolving healthcare landscape?
As the investigation continues, the fate of Tuyet Chinh Dental Clinic—and of Dr. N.T.T.C.—remains uncertain. What is clear, however, is that this case has forced a reckoning not just for one practitioner or clinic, but for the broader system tasked with safeguarding public health. Authorities have promised accountability and reform, but for patients like N.T.T.T., the scars—both physical and emotional—may linger long after the headlines fade.
The coming weeks will reveal whether these promises translate into meaningful change. For now, the city waits, watching closely as the story unfolds and hoping that lessons learned here will prevent future harm.