Updated 12 November 2026. The rules below apply at Noi Bai airport and at every Vietnamese border point. The Vietnamese customs website, linked from the British government's advice, is the reference for allowances on cigarettes, alcohol and personal goods; ask the airline or the customs desk if you carry more than a normal tourist would.
The rules in one table
| Subject | Rule | Source |
|---|---|---|
| E-cigarettes and heated tobacco | Production, trade, import, storage, transport and use banned since 1 January 2025 | Resolution 173/2024/QH15, as reported by Vietnamese government news and WHO |
| Cash entering or leaving | Declare above 15 million dong or 5,000 US dollars (or equivalent) | UK government travel advice for Vietnam |
| Cash leaving | Show confirmation from an authorised credit institution, or written approval from the State Bank of Vietnam | Same |
| Prescription medicines | Carry in hand luggage with a copy of the prescription | Same |
| Medicines worth more than 100 US dollars in total | Declare at customs | Same |
| Anything that may be prohibited or dutiable | Declare it | Same |
E-cigarettes and heated tobacco
The Vietnamese National Assembly's resolution bans these products from 1 January 2025, and the ban reaches import and use, so a visitor with a vape in the bag is committing an offence from the moment of arrival. Government and WHO statements say enforcement on import and smuggling is the priority; the exact penalty for personal possession and use was still being set in implementing texts, and a Ministry of Health proposal mentioned fines of 1 to 2 million dong, a proposal rather than confirmed law. The safe course is the simple one: leave the vape, the pods and the heated-tobacco device at home. Never carry another person's bag through customs either.
Cash
The British advice states the rule in both currencies: declare cash above 15 million Vietnamese dong or 5,000 US dollars, or the equivalent in other currencies. At 26,300 dong per dollar (a 2026 reading), 5,000 dollars is about 131 million dong, so the dollar limit is the one you will reach first: 15 million dong is only a little over 570 dollars. Convert the dong threshold before you carry large piles of notes. Leaving with that amount requires either confirmation from an authorised credit institution or written approval from the State Bank. For everyday money see Vietnam currency and ATMs and cards in Hanoi.
Medicines
Carry prescription medicines in your hand luggage, with a copy of the prescription and in the original packaging. If the total import value of the medicines exceeds 100 US dollars, declare them at customs. For controlled substances (strong painkillers, ADHD treatments, benzodiazepines, some sleeping pills), ask the Vietnamese embassy in your country before you travel and bring a letter from your doctor in English.
Alcohol, souvenirs and drones
The rules for drinking and buying alcohol in the city are in alcohol rules in Vietnam. What to bring back from the Old Quarter, from silk to lacquerware, is in Vietnam souvenirs; wood, coral, ivory or animal-derived souvenirs need checking against your home country's rules on protected species. Drones are a separate regime: see drone and photo rules in Vietnam.
Before you fly
- Entry paperwork: Vietnam e-visa.
- Insurance with medical and evacuation cover: travel insurance for Vietnam.
- Packing list: what to pack for Hanoi.
- Remove the vape and any refills from every bag, including the one you check in.
- Keep receipts for expensive electronics and medicines.
Arrive connected
An eSIM installed before the flight works when you land at Noi Bai, so you can order a ride into the city straight away: see Hanoi airport to the city centre. Airalo's Vietnam eSIM can be set up at home; the full comparison is in the Vietnam SIM and eSIM guide.
FAQ
Can I bring a vape to Vietnam?
No. E-cigarettes and heated tobacco have been banned since 1 January 2025, including import and use.
How much cash must I declare?
Anything above 15 million dong or 5,000 US dollars (or the equivalent).
Do I need my prescription?
Carry a copy in your hand luggage. Declare medicines if their total value exceeds 100 US dollars.
Is the vape ban enforced on tourists?
The ban covers import and use without distinguishing tourists. Enforcement details were still being set at the time of the resolution's roll-out, so the only safe choice is to leave it at home.
The Hanoi Authority editorial team, 12 November 2026.
