Vietnam Customs Prohibited Items: Cash & Food Rules

Unsure whether to bring these items to Vietnam? Wondering if they're allowed into Vietnam? Don't worry, after reading this article, you'll know what you can and can't bring. Besides items prohibited by customs, I'll also tell you about Vietnamese customs you should be mindful of to avoid offending anyone. Start reading!

Illegal Items to Carry in Your Luggage

Vietnam Customs Declaration Steps

Step 1: Before Departure

• 1–3 days before your flight, go to prearrival.immigration.gov.vn (official free platform).
• Fill in your personal info, passport number, flight details, and Vietnam accommodation address.
• Answer the customs and health questions honestly.
• Verify via OTP sent to your email.
• Save or print the QR code generated by the system.
  (You will need this at check-in and at immigration.)

Step 2: Upon Arrival

After collecting your luggage, you will see two channels:

1. Green Channel – Nothing to Declare
Use this channel if you:

• Are not carrying prohibited items
• Have cash ≤ USD 5,000
• Have gold ≤ 300 grams

2. Red Channel – Goods to Declare
Use this channel if you are carrying declarable or restricted items, such as:

• Cash > USD 5,000
• Gold > 300 grams
• Certain medications or commercial goods
• Other items that may require customs approval

Step 3: Declaration Procedure (Red Channel)

• Inform the customs officer about the items you are carrying.
• Complete a Customs Declaration Form if required.
• Place your luggage through the X-ray inspection.
• Pay any duties or complete registration procedures as instructed.
• After approval, proceed to exit the airport.

💡 Tip: If unsure whether an item needs declaration, always use the Red Channel to avoid fines.

Currency & Valuables

Vietnam Currency Declar

Cash Limits

• Foreign Currency Cash: Each person may carry a maximum of the equivalent of US$5,000 in cash. Amounts exceeding US$5,000 must be declared.
• Vietnamese Dong Cash: Each person may carry a maximum of 15,000,000 Vietnamese Dong (approximately US$600). Amounts exceeding this amount must be declared.
• Gold and Precious Metals: Vietnamese law strictly prohibits individuals from bringing gold bars or ingots into the country without authorization. If you are wearing or carrying gold jewelry or other precious metals with a total weight exceeding 300 grams (approximately 8 taels), you must declare them to customs through the red channel.

High-Value Personal Electronic Products

• Personal Devices: Your own mobile phones, laptops, iPads, and cameras, in reasonable quantities for personal use (usually 1-2 of each), can be brought in duty-free, with no limit on the total value.
• Unopened/Commercial Use: If you bring multiple unopened new iPhones, or other high-value digital products (with a total value exceeding 10,000,000 Vietnamese Dong, approximately US$400), customs may deem them as not for personal use and require you to declare them through the red channel and pay customs duties.

Liquids & Aerosols

International Flights Entering Vietnam (Carry-on Baggage 100ml Rule)

This rule is largely consistent with the US TSA rule.

All liquids, gels (such as shampoo and toothpaste), and aerosols (such as sunscreen spray and shaving foam) cannot exceed 100 ml per bottle.

💡 Exceptions: Infant formula/breast milk and prescription medications that must be taken on the plane due to illness (with an English prescription) are not subject to the 100ml limit, but must be removed for inspection at security.

Checked Baggage

Personal cosmetics, perfumes, and medical aerosols cannot exceed 500 ml (or 0.5 kg) per bottle. The total amount of such items checked by one passenger cannot exceed 2 liters (or 2 kg).

Odorous Foods

Foods with strong, offensive odors are absolutely prohibited as carry-on baggage.

Avoid packing odorous foods

Two key restricted items are as follows

1. Fish Sauce (Nước mắm)

As a national treasure of Vietnam, it is a major concern for airlines.

Absolutely prohibited from being brought into the cabin. If broken or leaked, the strong odor and extreme difficulty in cleaning can render the entire aircraft inoperable for several days.

If allowed as checked baggage (some airlines have exceptions), it must be in its original, unopened plastic bottle, tightly wrapped in plastic bags and tape, and may even be placed in a special foam box.

2. Durian and Jackfruit

Whether fresh and unpeeled or already cut and packaged, they are strictly prohibited from being brought on board (whether carry-on or checked baggage).

💡 The only exception: Only deeply processed, completely sealed dried goods with no odor leakage (such as dried durian and dried jackfruit) are allowed as baggage.

My advice

If you really want to bring fish sauce back to the US, it is recommended that when purchasing it in Phu Quoc or at a reputable local specialty store, you ask the store to provide "professional baggage packing service" that meets airline standards.

Other Cultural Etiquette

Besides baggage and customs regulations, there are some cultural customs in Vietnam that you should be aware of beforehand.

• Dress Code: When visiting temples, dress modestly. Tops that expose the shoulders or back are prohibited, and skirts or shorts must be below the knee.
• Shoe Removal Custom: Before entering the main hall of a temple (the indoor space with Buddha statues), you usually need to remove your shoes and hat. Pay attention to signs at the entrance or follow local customs.
• Tipping Culture: Vietnam does not have a mandatory tipping culture like in the United States. However, in upscale restaurants or spas, a 5% service charge is usually included in the bill.