Vietnam customs rules & duty-free allowances
Vietnam's customs enforcement is notably strict on currency declaration and prohibited items; failure to declare cash over the limit can result in confiscation and fines. The country also bans most meat and dairy products, and common Western medications like codeine-based painkillers require a prescription or permit.
Duty-free allowances
Prohibited — banned from import
- Narcotics and all drug paraphernalia
- Firearms, ammunition, explosives, and weapons (including replicas)
- Pornographic materials (including digital files)
- Endangered species products (ivory, rhino horn, tiger parts, etc.)
- Meat and dairy products (including sausages, cheese, and milk)
- Counterfeit goods and pirated items
Restricted — allowed with a permit or declaration
- Medications containing codeine, diazepam, or other controlled substances (require a prescription and permit for >30 days)
- Drones (require a permit from the Civil Aviation Authority of Vietnam)
- Satellite phones (require a permit from the Ministry of Information and Communications)
- Plants and seeds (require a phytosanitary certificate)
- Cultural artifacts and antiques (require an export permit from the Ministry of Culture)
Arriving: red vs green channel
After collecting your luggage, proceed to the customs area. Choose the Green channel (nothing to declare) or Red channel (goods to declare). If you have items exceeding the duty-free allowance or any prohibited/restricted items, use the Red channel. You may be asked to fill out a customs declaration card (HQ/2020/NK).
Tax-free shopping & VAT refunds
Vietnam offers a VAT refund for tourists on purchases of at least 2 million VND (approx. 80 USD) per receipt from participating stores. Claim at the airport before check-in at the customs counter. The refund is 85% of the VAT (currently 10% VAT, so you get 8.5% back).
Bringing medication
Personal medications are allowed for up to 30 days' supply. Prescription drugs must be accompanied by a doctor's prescription in English or Vietnamese. Controlled substances (e.g., codeine, diazepam, sleeping pills) require a permit from the Ministry of Health for quantities exceeding 30 days. Medications containing pseudoephedrine are restricted.
Food, plants & animal products
All food, plants, seeds, and animal products must be declared. Meat and dairy products are generally banned. Fresh fruits, vegetables, and seeds require a phytosanitary certificate. Processed foods in sealed commercial packaging are usually allowed for personal use.
Rules worth knowing
Currency declaration is mandatory
If you carry over 15 million VND (approx. 600 USD) in local currency or foreign currency equivalent to 5,000 USD (approx. 120 million VND), you must declare it on the customs form. Failure to do so can result in confiscation and fines of up to 20% of the undeclared amount.
ASEAN vs non-ASEAN duty-free limits
The duty-free allowance for personal goods is lower if arriving from an ASEAN country (10 million VND, approx. 400 USD) compared to non-ASEAN countries (20 million VND, approx. 800 USD). Keep your receipts handy.
No combined tobacco/alcohol allowance
You cannot mix allowances (e.g., 100 cigarettes + 25 cigars). You must choose one option: 200 cigarettes OR 50 cigars OR 250g of tobacco. Same for alcohol: 1.5L spirits OR 2L wine/beer.