Everything You Need to Know Before Traveling
Planning a trip to Vietnam and wondering if you can bring your medications?
You’re not alone — this is one of the most common questions travelers ask before boarding a flight.
✅ Yes, you can bring medicine to Vietnam, but you must follow a few important rules to avoid problems at customs.
In this guide, we’ll explain:
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What types of medicine are allowed
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What documents you should prepare
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What’s restricted or prohibited
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How much medicine you can bring
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What to expect at the airport
Let’s get started.
✅ What Medicines Can You Bring into Vietnam?
You’re allowed to bring most personal-use medicines, including:
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Prescription drugs (with documentation)
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Over-the-counter (OTC) medications like painkillers, cold medicine, allergy tablets
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Vitamins, probiotics, and dietary supplements
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First-aid items (bandages, antiseptic cream, etc.)
📦 Keep all medications in original packaging with clear labels.
⚠️ What Medicines Are Restricted or Prohibited?
Some medications are controlled in Vietnam due to their ingredients. You must be extra cautious if you’re bringing:
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Painkillers with codeine or morphine
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Sleeping pills or anti-anxiety drugs (e.g., diazepam, lorazepam)
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Drugs containing psychotropic or narcotic substances
If your medication falls into these categories, you need to carry:
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A copy of the prescription with your full name and dosage
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A doctor’s letter explaining your medical condition and treatment
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A translation in English or Vietnamese (recommended)
❌ Never carry large quantities or loose pills without documents. These may be confiscated or lead to legal consequences.
📦 How Much Medicine Can You Bring?
Vietnamese customs allows travelers to bring a reasonable amount for personal use. Generally:
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30-day supply of prescription drugs
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Small quantities of OTC medicines (1–2 boxes or bottles)
For longer stays, you should consult a local doctor or arrange for a prescription refill in Vietnam.
📄 Documents to Prepare
To avoid customs issues, bring the following in your carry-on luggage:
Required Item | Notes |
---|---|
✔️ Passport | Must be valid for 6 months |
✔️ Printed e-Visa | Or visa approval letter |
✔️ Prescription | Clearly written by a licensed doctor |
✔️ Doctor’s Letter | For controlled medications |
✔️ Original Packaging | No unlabeled pills or loose tablets |
💡 Tip: Take a photo of your prescription in case paper copies are lost.
🛃 What Happens at Customs?
At Vietnamese airports:
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✅ Declare medications if they are prescription-based or look unusual
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✅ Keep documents accessible
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❌ Do not carry unknown powders, unlabeled pills, or large amounts
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❌ Avoid mailing medicine into Vietnam — this often leads to confiscation
Most travelers pass through smoothly when they follow the rules.
🏥 Can You Buy Medicine in Vietnam?
Yes. Vietnam has many pharmacies, especially in cities like Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City.
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Common medications like paracetamol, antibiotics, antacids, etc. are easy to find
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Prescriptions may not be required for some items, but quality and dosage may differ from your home country
👉 If you take essential or rare medication, it’s better to bring your own supply from home.
🧳 Summary: Can You Bring Medicine to Vietnam?
Item | Allowed? |
---|---|
OTC medicine (painkillers, etc.) | ✅ Yes |
Prescription medicine | ✅ Yes (with docs) |
Narcotics / opioids | ⚠️ Restricted |
Unlabeled pills / powders | ❌ No |
Large quantities (non-personal) | ❌ No |
✈️ Before You Fly: Don’t Forget Your Visa
All travelers must have a valid visa before arriving in Vietnam.
👉 Apply now at VietnamVisaEasy.com
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Get your Vietnam e-Visa in 1–2 business days
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Trusted by 10,000+ travelers
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24/7 English support & fast processing
Your visa. Our priority.