Can You Smoke in Vietnam? | 2019 Guide for Smoking Laws in Vietnam (2024)

FAQs

Are you allowed to smoke in Vietnam? ›

Where Is it Allowed? Travellers are free to smoke anywhere in the countryside. However, in the urban regions of the country, people are becoming increasingly aware of the hazards of secondhand tobacco smoke. Usually, unventilated spaces and public areas are considered to be smoke-free zones.

The legal age of smoking in Vietnam is 18. If you violate Vietnam's regulation on public smoking, you will receive warnings and/or you will have to pay a fine of VND 100,000 to 300,000. This range of fine also covers the behavior of littering the residue of cigarettes.

Vietnam is among the cheapest places in the world to buy cigarettes, with one packet costing as little as VND10,000 (US$0.4).

In Vietnam, you can find both domestic and international tobacco brands. The most popular are Jet, Hero, Craven A, State Express 555, Sai Gon, Khanh Hoi and Vinataba. For more expensive brands like Marlboro and Dunhill, you can find them at convenience stores.

Nowadays, vaping is banned in many Asian countries like Thailand and Singapore, but is it the same state of affair in Vietnam? Thankfully, Yes, you can vape in Vietnam legally! You can freely vape in public when travelling to Vietnam, and you can even purchase a new vaporizer or oil in a shop.

- 200 cigarettes or 250 gram of shredded tobacco or 20 cigars.

Smoke Free Places

In other public places and workplaces, smoking is prohibited indoors, with the exception of airport waiting areas, bars, karaoke lounges, discos, hotels, and guesthouses, where designated smoking rooms are permitted.

Vietnam war C-Ration meals contained a single four-pack of cigarettes offered in the most popular cigarette brands: Lucky Strikes, Parliament, Chesterfields or Pall Mall's, Winston, Marlboro, Kools, and Salem for the troops.

Facilities: All international airports in Vietnam have free WiFi, water drinking stations, currency exchange centres, duty-free shops, and smoking lounges for passengers.

Vietnam's cheap cigarettes make it easier to smoke, harder to discourage the habit. The average price of a cigarette pack in Vietnam is a third of the world's and among the world's lowest, a factor in the nation's high smoking rate, experts say.

How many carton of cigarettes can I bring to Vietnam? ›

The following items may be freely imported into Vietnam by travellers without incurring customs duty: 200 cigarettes or 20 cigars or 250g of tobacco (by travellers 18 years of age and older).

Smoking in Vietnam is highly common, with an estimated 50% of men and 5% of women using tobacco, an estimated 18 million smokers. 47 million non-smokers in Vietnam are also regularly exposed to tobacco smoke.

CURRENCY RESTRICTIONS FOR ENTRY: None. However, Vietnamese Dong in excess of VND 150,000,000 or foreign currency in excess of 5,000 U.S. dollars or equivalent must be declared.

If you plan to take money out of Vietnam, you can take out amounts of less than 15 million in Vietnamese dong or USD5000 (or equivalent in other foreign currencies) without declaring this. Any amount in excess of this will need to be declared to Customs at the airport.

In addition, there is also a prohibition on items packed in your cabin luggage such as sharp objects (knife, sword, box cutter, dart, scissors, etc.); firearms and other weapons (all types of firearms, parts of firearms, ammunition, stun guns, imitation firearms, toy guns, etc.); other dangerous items (crowbar, shovels ...

Electronic smoking devices are allowed only in carry-on baggage. Passengers are required to take effective measures for preventing accidental activation of the heating element of the device when transporting the devices. See the FAA regulations for examples of effective measures.

Duty-free allowance for arriving passengers:

Liquor 1.5 liters if above 22 percent alcohol; 2 liters if below 22 percent alcohol, 3 liters max allowance.

It depends on what kind of travelling you like to do; you will spend from just 600,000VND (~30 USD) for local style to over 1,400,000VND (~70USD) for luxury travel for 2 of you. It means that you should take 8,400,000VND (~420USD) to 19,600,000VND (~980USD) for spending during 2 weeks in Vietnam for food and drinks.

If you bring more than that, you'll have to pay duty on them, even if you haven't gone over your total exemption. (You may also have to pay state or local taxes on tobacco products) [source: U.S. Customs and Border Protection].

How many cell phones can I bring to Vietnam? ›

Passengers arriving in Vietnam are allowed to freely carry a second mobile phone for personal use. They, however, must pay a tax if it is worth more than VND10 million ($429).

Most hotel rooms have sensors or these vape detectors, especially if the hotel has a no-smoking rule. Whether you smoke nicotine or marijuana, the sensor will detect the particles roaming in the air and alert the hotel management. Before going to a hotel, check whether there is a rule about smoking and vaping.

Cigarette smoke can also invade the linens and cloth of the furniture. Hotel staff have little patience for those who break this rule, so they could kick you out if they catch you, on top of assessing a cleaning fee.

7. Most Hotels Will Ask To Keep Your Passport (But don't let them!) Many hotels will ask to keep your passport during your stay. Allowing someone else to keep your passport is risky, however, because they are not the ones who will be inconvenienced if your passport is lost or stolen.

What drugs did soldiers use in the Vietnam War? According to a 1971 report by the Department of Defense, 51 percent of the armed forces had smoked marijuana, 31 percent had used psychedelics, such as LSD, mescaline and psilocybin mushrooms, and an additional 28 percent had taken hard drugs, such as cocaine and heroin.

The average price for the “Made in Vietnam” 555 was 16 000 Dong, whereas the smuggled ones were 28 000 Dong (US$1 = 15 300 Dong).

A purple smoke grenade shows helicopters the location of the platoon. In Vietnam, smoke grenades were used to send signals and provide cover for troop movements. The colored smoke was also available in green, yellow and red.

Cigarettes and other tobacco products are all allowed in hand baggage. You can carry one lighter only on board the aircraft, which must be kept on your person throughout the flight.

Terminal 2 (International Terminal)

CIP Orchid Lounge: International Terminal, Fourth level. Open 24 hours. Services: Premium food, snacks, alcoholic drinks, Wi-Fi, showers, flight monitors, newspapers, magazines, printers, copiers, smoking area.

For a comfortable mid-range experience in Vietnam, it's best to budget $60 to $100 per day for your entire costs. This gives you enough to pay for a comfortable three to four star hotel room, eat in mid-range to high-end restaurants and visit most activities and attractions.

What money should I take to Vietnam? ›

Vietnamese Dong or US Dollar, which is the best currency to use in Vietnam? Most payments are made with Vietnamese Dong, but US dollars can be directly used for some hotels, restaurants, tours, or other services. You may see the prices for food, drinks, and souvenirs in Ho Chi Minh City's airport are all in US dollars.

Wearing shorts is acceptable in most situations for both men and women. However, Vietnam's traditional culture is somewhat conservative, so avoiding sleeveless shirts, tank tops, or short shorts—especially while visiting Buddhist temples—shows the greatest respect for it.

Basing on Vietnam customs regulation, foreign currency (including cash, coin and travelers' cheques) in excess of US$7,000 must be declared at customs upon arrival with supported appropriate documentation.

Returning resident travelers may import tobacco products only in quantities not exceeding the amounts specified in the personal exemptions for which the traveler qualifies (not more than 200 cigarettes and 100 cigars if arriving from other than a beneficiary country and insular possession).

Alcohol and tobacco: Each traveler over 21 years of age may import up to one liter of alcoholic beverage and either 200 cigarettes, 50 cigars or two kilograms of smoking tobacco for personal use. Cigars may not be of Cuban origin. beverages, perfumes containing alcohol with a retail value of more than $5 or cigarettes.

Daily percentage of smokers among persons aged 15 and over

The countries with the fewest smokers are Sweden (9.3 per cent), Iceland (11.2 per cent), Finland (12.5 per cent), Norway (12.9 per cent) and Luxembourg (13.5 per cent).

1 USD = 23,512.814484 VND Apr 19, 2023 23:04 UTC

The currency converter below is easy to use and the currency rates are updated frequently.

Can I use my debit card in Vietnam? ›

While cash is used for small purchases and street vendors in Vietnam, most establishments accept payments from major credit card providers such as Visa. Hotels, tour operators, boutiques, restaurants, grocery stores, and spas all generally accept international debit and credit cards.

Tour guides

An average of 3-5 USD per day (70,000 VND 120,000 VND) is sufficient, but if you are very pleased, a maximum of 10 USD (230,000 VND) is still reasonable. Some tourists might even go the extra mile to give their guides a small gift from their own countries, but it's totally up to you.

US dollars are accepted in Vietnam and can be used for tipping along with the Vietnamese currency the dong.

To make things easier, prices are often quoted in US Dollars in tourist areas. But beware — you'll pay twice as much if you pay with your US dollars, so exchange your money before you arrive in Vietnam. Credit cards, debit cards and cash are all accepted, but cash is by far the most accepted form of payment.

For a more comfortable backpacker experience in Vietnam, it's best to budget around $50 per day. This way, you'll have more money to spend on things like food, drinks, activities and hotel rooms. For a comfortable mid-range experience in Vietnam, it's best to budget $60 to $100 per day for your entire costs.

You may bring large sums of money with you in the form of cash, money order, or traveler's checks. There is no maximum limit, however, any amount exceeding $10,000 USD must be declared upon arrival on both the Form 6059B and FinCEN 105. All forms must be filled in completely and truthfully.

Weapons and Explosives: We know that some countries allow citizens to own some kinds of weapons. However in Vietnam, using or bringing weapons (such as pistols, shotguns, and firearms) or explosives is totally prohibited. If you are caught with these items, you will definitely in trouble!

Common taboos in Vietnam

Avoid hugging, holding hands, and especially kissing in public. Even touching a member of the opposite sex is looked down upon. Modesty: It is important to keep your body covered. Avoid overly short shorts and revealing shirts.

Among these, Ireland, Greece, Bulgaria, Malta, Spain and Hungary have the strictest smoke-free provisions with a complete ban on smoking in enclosed public places, on public transport and in workplaces, with only limited exceptions allowed.

Can you use toilet paper in Vietnam? ›

Toilet paper in the bin rule

The same applies in Vietnam, where you'll often see a sign in toilets asking patrons not to flush toilet paper down the toilet. Primarily attributed to the inadequate plumbing systems and the threat of blockage, there will be a bidet shower (or bum gun) on hand to wash your derriere.

While the middle finger is not traditionally an offensive digit in Vietnam, the typical “fingers crossed” gesture that many people from the West make to indicate that they are hoping for the best is highly impolite. If you hope for good luck, keep your fingers out of it!

Never carry your passport with you while walking around at your destination. Check in, leave it with the front desk or in your bag. Take a photocopy of it just in case. Carry a less critical piece of ID such as your drivers' license.

Basing on Vietnam customs regulation, foreign currency (including cash, coin and travelers' cheques) in excess of US$7,000 must be declared at customs upon arrival with supported appropriate documentation.

For a more comfortable backpacker experience in Vietnam, it's best to budget around $50 per day. This way, you'll have more money to spend on things like food, drinks, activities and hotel rooms. For a comfortable mid-range experience in Vietnam, it's best to budget $60 to $100 per day for your entire costs.

Prostitution and drug abuse are common in Vietnam. Thieves are active in Ho Chi Minh City. Tourists and foreigners are generally not affected by crime in Vietnam. The punishments for criminals that involve or target foreigners can be quite severe.

Vietnam, one of the countries with the most favorable public opinion regarding the U.S., is the only communist country to have such a favorable view.

Even eating salads and raw vegetables are not the best idea. Adding raw herbs to your hot pho is usually fine but again, you will have to use your judgment. Note that restaurants will flash boil the raw vegetables and herbs for you at your request.

Direct smoke outside or towards a vent if possible.

As you smoke, make sure that you direct your smoke towards an open window or towards a vent. You may want to check out the window first to be sure nobody is outside who might see the smoke escaping from the window.

Smoking in all public places in Bhutan became illegal on 22 February 2005. It thus became the first nation in the world to outlaw this practice outright. The Tobacco Control Act of Bhutan was enacted by parliament on 16 June 2010.

What country is best for non smokers? ›

Iceland. Iceland claims to have the lowest smoking rate of any developed country in the world, falling 40% in the last 5 years. Which is kind of surprising because they don't have strict laws like Canada and Australia.