What's legal, what's not, and what to do.
⛔ The 3 that matter most · severity-first
Not fearmongering — these three carry life-changing consequences and surprise the most travelers. Read them before anything else.
Possession can mean prison; trafficking can carry the death penalty. In raided venues police may drug-test patrons, and a positive test can lead to detention, fines or charges — tourists are not exempt. Penalties depend on the substance and amount.
Read the rule →E-cigarettes & heated tobacco are fully banned — including use. Don't bring them. Devices confiscated at customs; fine ~2M VND.
Read the rule →ANY alcohol = illegal to drive. One beer on a motorbike → 2–3M VND fine + license suspension. Police checkpoints are nightly and routine.
Read the rule →Know Before You Go · personalized
Rules differ by nationality and what you plan to do. Tell us both, get a severity-ranked list of what actually matters for your trip.
What can I bring?
Meds, drone, vape, alcohol, cash — each has a different rule. Some are banned outright; some just need declaring.
Browse the rules
Substances
Drugs · alcohol · vape · tobacco
Driving
License · IDP · helmet · drink-driving
Drone + photo
No-fly zones · restricted areas
Documents
What to carry, always
Customs
Import / export + wizard
Social norms
LGBTQ+ · dress · temple · political
Work / nomad
Is remote work legal?
All rules
Full knowledge base
Know your rights
What you can and cannot be asked to do — and key phrases that protect you.
Open rights card →🆘 In trouble right now?
Detained, extorted, accident — tap your scenario, get the exact steps, embassy number, and a lawyer match.
Open emergency guide →The full guide
Know Before You Go
The 5-minute brief before you land
Can I…?
Ask if something's allowed — get a clear yes/no
Rule Detail
Deep dives: drones, substances, driving & more
Customs Wizard
What you can and can't bring through customs
Penalty Lookup
Look up the fine for any violation
Your Rights Card
Your rights if stopped — with key phrases
Legal Emergency
Detained or in trouble? Step-by-step help
Lawyer Connect
Get connected to a vetted Vietnamese lawyer
Embassies
Every embassy & consulate, with phone numbers
Community story
By a community member · verified traveler
Law-change alerts
Get notified when the rules change.
Vietnam updates its tourist regulations regularly. We'll email you when something that affects your trip changes.
More legal reading
General information, not legal advice. Reviewed by Vietnamese lawyers. For your situation, consult a qualified lawyer.
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