What Not To Do In Vietnam For Tourists in 2025 – New Vietnam Laws
To ensure a smooth and respectful visit, it’s crucial to be aware of the country’s laws and customs, some of which may differ significantly from your home country. This is especially true as Vietnam continues to evolve, with new regulations coming into effect.
Staying informed about new Vietnam Law is paramount to avoiding unintentional legal infractions and ensuring a positive experience. In this blog post, Prime Travel Vietnam will focus specifically on key legal updates, highlighting what not to do in Vietnam in 2025 for tourists to stay on the right side of Vietnam law.
What Not To Do In Vietnam in 2025 Under Vietnam Law
You might be surprised by what’s considered illegal in Vietnam. Some things that are totally normal back home are illegal here. So, to keep your trip smooth, here are what not to do in Vietnam, according to Vietnam law. E-cigarettes, drones, and even some road rules are just a few of the things that could get you into trouble.
E-cigarettes and Heated Tobacco Products (2025 Ban)
While cigarettes are illegal for minors in Vietnam, e-cigarettes are unfortunately finding their way into schools, causing worry about the negative effects on students’ well-being. To address this, starting in 2025, Vietnam will officially ban the production, import, trade (including sales and distribution), and use of e-cigarettes and heated tobacco products including vape, pod and IQOS.
In short, what not to do in Vietnam is bring e-cigarettes or heated tobacco products, even for personal use. They will be confiscated at Vietnam’s Customs Department. Additionally, individuals caught using vapes in public or private spaces may face fines of up to US$80 (2 million VND). These fines are expected to be enforced, and tourists are not exempt.
Drone/Flycam Regulations (2025 Enforcement)
So, a heads-up about flying drones in Vietnam starting July 2025. Basically, for any flight, whether you’re snapping vacation pics or doing professional work, you need a permit from the Ministry of Defense.
Getting that permit takes a bit of time – you want to apply at least two weeks before you plan to fly. They need a registration form, your passport if you’re visiting, and some details about your drone, like photos and specs.
Even bringing your drone into Vietnam needs a little planning. You need to get the Ministry of Defense’s permit, and that can take up to three weeks and might have some costs involved.
The most common thing tourists accidentally do is fly without a permit, which could mean a fine between 1,000,000 VND and 2,000,000 VND (around $40 to $80).
Now, here’s the good news! If you’ve got a lightweight drone –under 250 grams – and you’re just using it for fun, you’re in luck! You can fly it without a permit. But, and this is important, you’ve got to keep it within your line of sight, follow the height limits, and definitely stay away from any restricted/prohibited areas. If you’re not sure about the area, honestly, it’s always best to keep your drone on the ground. Just to be safe and avoid any potential headaches!
| Restricted Areas | Prohibited Areas |
| ·       High-Altitude Airspace: You can’t fly above 120 meters (around 400 feet) from the ground, except in areas where drones are completely banned.
·       Crowded Areas: It’s restricted to fly over densely populated areas or any large public gatherings. ·       Border Zones: Near the Chinese border, you must stay at least 25,000 meters (15.5 miles) from the Chinese border and 10,000 meters (6.2 miles) from the Laos and Cambodia borders. ·       Near Airports: If you’re near an airport with civilian or military flights, there’s a buffer zone around the no-fly area. You should stay 3,000 meters (1.9 miles) out and 5,000 meters (3.1 miles) long from the airport’s no-fly zone. Do not fly below 120 meters within this airport buffer zone. |
·       Military & Defense: No flying near military bases or defense sites.
·       Government & Security: No flying near government buildings, police/military facilities, and national security sites. ·       Airports: No flying near airports (civilian or military). ·       Air Routes: Stay out of designated flight paths. ·       Temporary Bans: The government can instantly ban drone flights in specific areas for security or safety reasons. |
Driving Regulations (2025 Enforcement)
- Motorbike License Requirements (IDP Validity)
Those motorbike trips you see online? They’re as awesome as they look! But here’s the thing – to ride legally, you need a Vietnamese license. Your home country’s one isn’t enough, and those International Driving Permits (IDPs)? They’re only valid if your country signed to the 1968 Vienna Convention and adheres to the uniform IDP format.
That’s Australia, Canada, Iceland, India, Ireland, Japan, New Zealand, the United States, and a bunch more, unfortunately. You can check the list here. Other international driver’s licenses, such as those from the IAA, are also not accepted.
Come January 1st, 2025, you can notice some big changes on Vietnamese roads. Ten new traffic laws came into effect, and they’re really cracking down with higher fines. So, get the right paperwork before you arrive, or you could end up with a hefty fine – like, up to 7,000,000 VND ($300)! Not the kind of souvenir you want.
Honestly, motorbike rental scams happen too, with overcharging and money tricks. Best bet? Join a tour with experienced riders who know their stuff, and they’ll show you the real Vietnam safely.
- Other Driving Rules and Regulations
If you’re an experienced rider and have that valid Vietnamese license, awesome! Here’s the local scoop on riding rules: Helmets are a must, for you and your passenger – no exceptions. We drive on the right here, just like back home for many of you. Zero alcohol means zero. Seriously, even a sip can get you in big trouble.
Two people max on a bike, unless it’s a real emergency. Speed limits? In town, it’s 50-60 kph, and a bit faster outside. Cars can go up to 90 kph on open roads, and 120 kph on highways. Oh, and please, don’t park right on the sidewalk, it blocks everyone and it’s dangerous.
Drugs
You might see marijuana-themed (weed) shirts around, but that doesn’t mean it’s legal. Weed in Vietnam, even for medical use – is illegal under Vietnam law, although oil with cannabidiol – a non-psychoactive chemical found in marijuana – is allowed and freely sold. Unlike some places like Mexico or Thailand, it’s not legal here. Any possession, growing, or selling can lead to serious trouble, and foreigners have faced jail time for it.
Other drugs like heroin, cocaine, and anything made from poppies are also completely banned. And those “funky balls” and shisha you might have seen at bars/pubs in Hanoi’s Old Quarter? They’ve been cracked down on too.
It’s really important to be careful. What not to do in Vietnam: Don’t take anything from strangers, and watch your drinks in bars and clubs. If you think something’s off, get medical help right away.
Gun
In some countries like America, guns are pretty common. But here in Vietnam, it’s a whole different story. Gun laws are really strict. Firing a gun at someone is a huge deal, and the punishments are serious –big fines, long jail time, and in really extreme cases, even the death penalty. It’s one of the reasons Vietnam is considered so safe.
Of course, there are exceptions. You can try shooting at places like the Cu Chi Tunnels or other shooting ranges, but always under strict supervision.
Glambing
Gambling in general is illegal in Vietnam. You might see card games, poker, lottery betting, cockfighting, and things like that, but what not to do in Vietnam is participate in any of those, as they can get you into legal trouble, with fines or even jail time.
That said, following the booming of resort projects across Vietnam, mostly in tourism attractions like Da Nang, Nha Trang, Hoi An, Vung Tau, Haiphong, and Ho Chi Minh City, legalized gambling services are on the rise to meet the demand of growing foreign visitors to the country. These casinos are legal, but only for foreign visitors with passports and visas.
If you’re caught gambling illegally for amounts between 5 million and 50 million VND, you’ll face a big fine (20 to 100 million VND), or up to 3 years of community service, or 6 months to 3 years in jail.
If the gambling involves larger amounts (over 50 million VND), is done professionally, uses the internet, or if you’re a repeat offender, the jail time goes up to 3 to 7 years. On top of that, you might also get another fine, ranging from 10 to 50 million VND.
Pornography
You might be surprised to hear this, but Vietnam law is against spreading inappropriate content. While you can have things like adult DVDs for personal use, sharing them is illegal. Bringing in large amounts can also cause problems with immigration, who might think you’re planning to distribute them. It’s best to leave them at home.
Also, keep in mind that public discussions about these topics are considered inappropriate here. Violating these laws can result in fines or jail time.
Prostitution
As a tourist, you might come across people soliciting customers, but what not to do in Vietnam is engage in prostitution or related activities, like accepting suspicious massage offers. These are illegal under Vietnam law.
The government is actively working to combat sex trafficking, particularly when it involves minors. Though dismantling these networks is a complex and ongoing process, it remains a priority.
Penalties for involvement in prostitution-related offenses, whether you’re a local or a tourist, can range from fines of VND 1 million to 40 million, depending on the severity of the offense.
Illegal Souvenirs
Just a heads-up, there are some souvenirs you can’t bring home from Vietnam. Here’s what to avoid:
- Endangered Animal Products: Items made from endangered species, such as ivory, rhinoceros horn, sea turtle shells, or products derived from protected animals, like tiger skins, snakeskin, and certain corals, should be strictly avoided.
- Wildlife Products: Be cautious of souvenirs made from wildlife, even if not necessarily endangered. This could include: certain feathers (especially from protected birds), claws or teeth of wild animals, live animals (buying wild animals as pets is illegal), any plants/seeds may be restricted.
- Antiques and Cultural Artifacts: You might spot some tempting antiques on the streets here, but a word of caution: don’t buy any historical artifacts without official paperwork. Vietnam has strict rules about exporting antiques, and without a permit from the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, they’ll likely be confiscated at Vietnam’s Customs Department. It’s just not worth the risk.
- Counterfeit Goods: Steer clear of fake designer brands or pirated software.
- Military Souvenirs: Avoid buying military items like medals or uniforms.
Navigating a new country’s laws can feel daunting, but it’s essential for a smooth and respectful travel experience. As you’ve seen, Vietnam has specific regulations regarding everything from e-cigarettes and drones to public conduct and cultural artifacts. Understanding these Vietnam law, particularly those coming into effect in 2025, is key to avoiding legal pitfalls. While some restrictions may seem surprising, they reflect Vietnam’s commitment to public safety, cultural preservation, and social order.
Knowing what not to do in Vietnam in 2025 is crucial for a safe and respectful visit. Ultimately, a little preparation and awareness go a long way in ensuring a memorable and trouble-free visit to this beautiful and vibrant country.
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