VinaPouches

Your Cart

Your cart is empty

🚀 Launching soon — get 15% off your first order

Sign up and we'll send your exclusive discount code the moment we go live.

Vietnam Bans E-Cigarettes & Heated Tobacco: 2026 Travel Guide & Fines

Vinapouches Team·
Warning sign at Hanoi Airport about Vietnam vape ban 2026

Effective January 2025, Vietnam has enforced strict measures against vaping. While strict anti-vaping measures began with Resolution 173/2024/QH15 (effective Jan 14, 2025), the National Assembly also amended the Investment Law on December 11, formally classifying "investment and business in e-cigarettes and heated tobacco" as strictly prohibited industries from March 1, 2026.

For Travelers, the risk is IMMEDIATE. You do not need to wait for 2026. Customs enforcement under the Resolution began blocking imports on January 1, 2025. If you are planning a trip to Vietnam in 2026—whether to the bustling streets of Ho Chi Minh City or the serene beaches of Da Nang—packing your vape kit could land you with a heavy fine, confiscation, or even legal trouble.

This guide provides a comprehensive breakdown of the current laws, the "2026 Business Ban" timeline, and the safer, legal alternatives available right now.

The Timeline Explained: 2025 vs. 2026

Confusion exists regarding the dates. Here is the legal reality:

  • January 1, 2025: Customs authorities officially prohibiting the clearing of e-cigarette and heated tobacco shipments.
  • January 14, 2025: Resolution 173/2024/QH15 takes full effect, banning production, transport, storage, and use.
  • March 1, 2026: The Amended Investment Law takes effect, legally cementing the ban on manufacturing and business investment in this sector nationwide.

Bottom Line for Tourists: The ban on YOU (usage and carrying) is already active under Resolution 173.

The Law Explained: What Exactly Is Banned?

The new legislation leaves no room for ambiguity. The ban targets all "new generation tobacco products" that rely on electronics or heating mechanisms. This includes detailed prohibitions on:

  • Electronic Cigarettes (Vapes): This covers strictly everything from disposable devices (like ElfBar, GeekBar, Rodeo) to complex refillable box mods and pod systems.
  • Heated Tobacco Products (HTPs): Devices that heat tobacco sticks without burning them, such as IQOS, Ploom, and glo, are explicitly named and banned.
  • E-Liquids & Components: All associated fluids (with or without nicotine), coils, tanks, and batteries intended for vaping are prohibited items.

Crucially, the ban applies to "Personal Use". Unlike previous years where enforcement focused on smugglers and shops, the new law explicitly bans the act of using these devices in public and private spaces. Police, airport security, and market surveillance agencies have ramped up checks at entry points (airports/borders) and popular tourist hotspots.

The Southeast Asia Context: How Strict Is It?

Vietnam is aligning itself with the stricter anti-vaping nations in the region. Understanding the local context is vital for travelers:

  • Thailand & Singapore: Extremely strict. Jail time and massive fines are possible. Vietnam is moving towards this model.
  • Vietnam (2026): Strict administrative fines and confiscation. While jail time for simple possession is unlikely for tourists, the financial penalty is significant.
  • Indonesia & Philippines: Generally more relaxed and regulated, but Vietnam is NOT following this path.

The Penalties: Don't Risk It

Enforcement is active and penalties are immediate. Authorities are not accepting "I didn't know" as an excuse.

For Individuals & Tourists

  • Administrative Fines: Caught vaping or carrying a device? You face fines ranging from 3,000,000 VND to 5,000,000 VND ($120 - $200 USD). This is roughly the cost of a domestic flight or a luxury hotel night.
  • Confiscation & Destruction: Your expensive device (whether it's a $10 disposable or a $200 mod) will be seized and destroyed on the spot.
  • Entry Denial: Customs officers at Noi Bai (Hanoi) and Tan Son Nhat (HCMC) are scanning luggage specifically for these devices. Attempting to bring them in can result in long delays or entry issues.

For Smugglers & Traders

The penalties for trading or smuggling these products are severe, including fines up to 3 billion VND (~$120,000 USD) and potential prison sentences of up to 15 years for organized smuggling rings. Do not attempt to bring "a few extras for friends."

Why the Sudden Ban?

The Ministry of Health pushed for this legislation to combat what it calls a "youth epidemic." Reports showed a significant spike in vaping among Vietnamese teenagers in 2023-2024. The government argues that these products pose severe risks, including:

  • EVALI (E-cigarette or Vaping Use-Associated Lung Injury): Cited as a primary health concern.
  • Cardiovascular Disease: Similar risks to smoking.
  • Synthetic Nicotine Addiction: Concerns over the high strength of disposable vapes hooking a new generation.

The Solution: Nicotine Pouches & Snus

This is the most common question we get from panicked travelers: "If I can't vape, what can I use to avoid withdrawals?"

As of early 2026, Nicotine Pouches (like ZYN, VELO) and Snus occupy a regulatory "gray area" generally safer for travelers.

Why Are Pouches Different?

  • No Electronics: The ban specifically targets "electronic" and "heated" devices. Pouches are simple bags of plant fiber and nicotine.
  • Tobacco-Free: Most modern pouches are 100% tobacco-free, distinguishing them from traditional tobacco regulations.
  • Discreet: You can use them anywhere—on the plane, in the hotel, or walking down the street—without emitting vapor or smell. This makes them virtually impossible to detect and police.

Customs Allowance & Tips

Current regulations typically allow travelers to bring a "reasonable amount for personal use" through customs. This is usually interpreted as up to 5 cans (or roughly 500g of tobacco/nicotine products).
Recommendation: Do not bring 50 cans. Bring enough for your trip (3-5 cans), and buy locally if you run out. Vinapouches offers fast, legal delivery within Vietnam for international brands like VELO and ZYN.

Advice for Travelers in 2026

  1. Leave the Vape at Home: Do not try to sneak it through customs. Airport scanners are advanced, and it isn't worth the stress or the $200 fine.
  2. Switch Before You Fly: If you are nicotine-dependent, buy a can of nicotine pouches before your trip to get used to them. They will be your best friend on the 12-hour flight and during your stay.
  3. Respect Local Laws: Vietnam is a beautiful, welcoming country. Respecting their health laws ensures a smooth, trouble-free holiday.

FAQs

  • Can I bring my vape if I just keep it in my checked luggage?
    No. Importation is banned. If customs find it in your checked bag (which is scanned upon arrival), they will confiscate it and fine you.
  • Does the ban apply to nicotine-free vapes?
    Yes. The law bans the device itself and the act of vaping, regardless of the liquid's nicotine content.
  • Is IQOS legal in Vietnam?
    No. IQOS and other Heated Tobacco Products are explicitly named in the ban alongside e-cigarettes.
  • Where can I buy nicotine pouches in Vietnam?
    You can order high-quality, imported nicotine pouches directly from reputable local suppliers like Vinapouches. avoiding the risk of counterfeit products often found in street stalls.
← Back to Blog