Are Nicotine Pouches Legal in Vietnam? 2026 Travel & Usage Rules

Southeast Asia is a patchwork of confusing laws when it comes to nicotine. Cross one border, and vaping is legal; cross another, and you could face jail time. For tourists, expats, and digital nomads in Vietnam, this is a source of constant anxiety.

In this 2026 definitive guide, we clarify the legal status of Nicotine Pouches in Vietnam and give you essential travel tips to ensure your trip is smooth and hassle-free.

1. Is It Legal to Bring Pouches into Vietnam?

The Short Answer: YES.

Vietnam does not currently strictly ban the possession or usage of nicotine pouches or snus for personal use. Unlike Singapore (which bans everything) or Thailand (which strictly bans vapes but is legally grey on pouches), Vietnam is relatively relaxed.

Airport Customs (Tan Son Nhat / Noi Bai / Da Nang)

When you arrive, customs officers are primarily looking for drugs, weapons, and excessive amounts of goods for resale (smuggling).
Personal Use Allowance: There is no strictly defined "snus allowance" written in the tourist guidebook, but the general rule of thumb applied by customs is similar to cigarettes:

• Bringing 1-2 logs (10-20 cans) for a 2-week trip is generally considered personal use and is fine.
• Bringing 50+ cans will look like commercial smuggling and may be confiscated or taxed.

2. Is It Legal to Buy/Sell Pouches in Vietnam?

This is where it gets nuanced. There is no specific legislation regulating nicotine pouches yet. They fall into a grey area. They are not banned, but they are not fully regulated like cigarettes either.

• Availability: You won't find them in Circle K, 7-Eleven, or WinMart. The big chains don't stock them yet due to the lack of a clear tax stamp category.
• Online Market: The market thrives online (websites like Vinapouches.vn, Shopee until recently, etc.) and in specialized smoke shops or expat bars. It is perfectly safe for a consumer to buy and possess them.

3. Where Can You Legally Use Them?

This is the beauty of pouches: Everywhere.

Vietnam's "Prevention and Control of Tobacco Harms Law" restricts smoking in public places (hospitals, schools, cinemas, buses). However, nicotine pouches do not produce smoke or emission.

• Indoor Cafes: Legal and polite.
• Grab/Taxis: Perfect for high traffic jams.
• Workplaces: Accepted in almost all offices.
• Airports & Planes: You can use them inside the terminal and on the plane (Vietnam Airlines, VietJet, Bamboo). Vaping on a plane is a federal crime; using a pouch is largely ignored/allowed as long as you dispose of it neatly.

4. The "Danger Zone" Neighbors: Travel Warning

If you are using Vietnam as a hub to travel Southeast Asia, be very careful with your remaining stash:

🔴 Singapore (Red Alert)

Singapore has a total ban on importing, distributing, selling, and possessing emerging tobacco products, including nicotine pouches. If you fly from HCMC to Singapore, DO NOT bring your pouches. Fines can reach $2,000 SGD.

🟠 Thailand

Thailand has a strict ban on Vapes (e-cigarettes). Nicotine pouches are technically not vapes, so they often slide under the radar, but some travelers report confiscations. Keep them in your toiletries bag and don't flaunt them.

Summary for Travelers

Vietnam is one of the most pouch-friendly destinations in Asia. As long as you are respectful and don't bring a suitcase full of them to sell, you will have zero issues enjoying your nicotine while watching the sunset over Ha Long Bay.