●●●●Critical· life-changing
Substances in Vietnam.
Drugs are the single most serious risk for any traveler — and vapes are now banned too.
The rule, in plain English
Recreational drugs carry zero tolerance: possession can mean prison and trafficking can carry the death penalty under the 2015 Penal Code. E-cigarettes and heated tobacco have been fully banned since 1 January 2025. Alcohol is legal to drink, but driving with any alcohol in your system is not — and ordinary cigarettes stay legal with smoking restrictions.
What's banned vs allowed
Any illegal drug — cannabis included — means criminal charges, not a fine.
Vapes & heated tobacco are banned outright since Jan 1, 2025 — don't even bring them.
Police may drug-test patrons at raided venues; a positive test can mean detention — tourists are not exempt.
Drinking alcohol is legal; nicotine patches and gum are fine to bring.
Regular cigarettes are legal, but no smoking in many indoor public places.
How to stay legal
- 1Carry no recreational drugs of any kind, in any amount.
- 2Leave all vapes and pods at home — they're confiscated at customs.
- 3Never accept drinks, pills or cigarettes from strangers; leave a venue that feels off.
- 4After any alcohol, use Grab or a taxi instead of driving.
- 5Bring prescription meds in original packaging with a doctor's note.
If you break this rule
- Drug possession can lead to detention, prosecution and prison; trafficking can carry the death penalty.
- Using a vape typically means confiscation plus a fine (around 2M VND).
- Drink-driving brings on-the-spot fines and licence suspension at nightly checkpoints.
§ Penal Code 100/2015/QH13 (drugs) + Law 56/2024/QH15 (vape ban) + Decree 100/2019/NĐ-CP (drink-driving)· Reviewed by lawyers·Verified Jun 2026
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