What is strictly prohibited to bring into Vietnam?

Into Vietnam, the following items are strictly prohibited. Violation of these prohibitions, especially for the first items, entails extremely serious consequences.

• Drugs and drug-containing medications without an official medical prescription. Sanctions for importing drugs into Vietnam are among the harshest in the world—up to life imprisonment or the death penalty.
• Firearms, ammunition, explosives and their components without special permission.
• Pornographic materials in any form.
• Printed materials, discs, recordings that offend local traditions or the state system.
• Antiques, art objects, and folk crafts without special permission for export from the country of origin and import into Vietnam.
• Live wild animals, stuffed rare animals (turtles), corals, rare plants without appropriate CITES permits. This also applies to souvenirs made from protected species.
• Electronic cigarettes (vapes) and their liquids. Their import has been prohibited since January 1, 2025.

Also, remember the need to declare large amounts of currency (over $5,000 equivalent) and gold (over 300 grams). We have detailed all restrictions and norms in our guide: Customs Rules of Vietnam - What You Can and Cannot Bring In/Take Out

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