Is CBD legal in Vietnam?
David ReichUpdated:Key points at a glance:
CBD is not legal in Vietnam. There are no exemptions for hemp or CBD. Cannabis extracts and THC are listed as controlled substances. CBD oil and similar products are regarded as prohibited cannabis extracts, and the THC content does not make a difference. Import, possession, trade and cultivation are forbidden and punishable. There are no THC limit values and no legal market. Do not take CBD products with you, even in transit. Medical use of CBD requires official authorisation.
Vietnam treats CBD from the cannabis plant as an illegal cannabis extract. There is no general exception for CBD, no tolerated THC limit, and no tourist allowance.
Which products contain CBD but no THC?
First, a brief overview of which products typically contain CBD but are free from THC. THC is much more critical from a legal perspective in many countries. Here are some of the most common categories:
- CBD oils and tinctures: These liquids are usually placed under the tongue for relatively rapid absorption.
- CBD capsules and tablets: A convenient way to take a measured amount of CBD, similar to food supplements.
- CBD edibles: This includes gummies, chocolate, drinks and other foods that contain CBD.
- CBD vape products: These products are used for inhaling CBD vapour, such as e-liquids and vape pens.
- CBD skincare products: Creams, ointments, lotions and balms that are applied to the skin for localised use.
Vietnam does not have a separate exemption regime for hemp or CBD. Cannabis (cần sa), cannabis resin, “extracts and tinctures of cannabis” as well as THC are all listed in Vietnam’s controlled substances schedules. CBD oils and other CBD extracts from the cannabis plant are therefore generally treated as prohibited cannabis extracts – regardless of THC content.
As a result, manufacture, trade, import, possession, transport and cultivation are prohibited and punishable, except in narrowly defined, state‑authorised cases. (vbpl.vn)
The key points: Is CBD legal in Vietnam?
- Do not bring CBD products into Vietnam – even if advertised as “THC‑free”. Import is generally covered by prohibitions on narcotics and cannabis extracts. (vbpl.vn)
- Possession, purchase, sale, transport, cultivation and (depending on the circumstances) use are prohibited and can be punishable; administrative fines may also apply.
- There are no national THC limits for CBD consumer products, no regular domestic CBD market, and no specific tourist exemptions.
- Arguments based on EU law regarding CBD are not relevant at the Vietnamese border: Vietnamese law applies and focuses on the product’s origin as a cannabis extract.
For CBD legality in Vietnam, the key test is whether a product is an extract of the cannabis plant. If it is, it is treated as an illegal controlled substance, even if labelled “THC-free”.
Legal basis for CBD law in Vietnam (primary sources)
The core provisions behind current CBD law in Vietnam are:
| Instrument | Content (short) | Official source |
|---|---|---|
| Law on Drug Prevention and Control 2021 (Luật 73/2021/QH14) | Framework law; the government establishes controlled substance schedules by decree; activities outside narrowly defined purposes are prohibited. | vbpl.vn |
| Government Decree 73/2018/NĐ‑CP | Lists of narcotics and precursors; includes cannabis, resin, “extracts & tinctures” and THC. | vbpl.vn |
| Government Decree 57/2022/NĐ‑CP | Updates/replaces 73/2018; confirms the listing of cannabis/THC; in force since 25.08.2022. | vbpl.vn |
| Government Decree 90/2024/NĐ‑CP | Further update of the schedules (structure unchanged: cannabis/THC remain listed). | vbpl.vn |
| Criminal Code 2015 (100/2015/QH13), amended 2017 (12/2017/QH14) | Criminal provisions on cultivation, possession, transport, trade and other dealings involving controlled substances (including cannabis). | vbpl.vn · chinhphu.vn |
| Administrative sanctions 144/2021/NĐ‑CP | Administrative fines relating, among other things, to unlawful dealings with controlled substances. | vbpl.vn |
The current legal situation on CBD legality in Vietnam is based primarily on Decree 57/2022/NĐ‑CP (replacing 73/2018) and its update 90/2024/NĐ‑CP. These schedules list cannabis, its extracts and THC, and there is no specific exemption for CBD. (vbpl.vn)
Bringing CBD products into Vietnam (air, land or sea)
Many travellers ask: “Can you bring CBD to Vietnam?” Under current rules, the answer is effectively no.
- Do not import CBD products. CBD extracts from the cannabis plant are legally categorised as “extracts/tinctures of cannabis” and are treated as controlled substances. This applies regardless of THC content, origin (for example, hemp) or compliance with EU or other foreign rules.
- Transit and connecting flights: Avoid carrying CBD products in cabin or hold luggage on flights that include a stopover in Vietnam. Even if you do not leave the airport, confiscation and legal proceedings are possible. (Legal basis: national controlled substance schedules and criminal provisions.)
- “Medical CBD” (e.g. Epidyolex): Without prior, explicit approval from the Vietnamese authorities, import is very high risk. Foreign prescriptions do not necessarily prevent confiscation. Anyone considering this route should, if in doubt, clarify in advance with the Vietnamese embassy or consulate.
- Customs declaration does not override the ban: Unlike some prescription medicines, cannabis extract as such is prohibited. A truthful customs declaration does not prevent confiscation or investigation.
CBD travel rules for Vietnam are strict: CBD products, including “medical” preparations, should not be brought in luggage or carried on transit through the country unless there is clear, prior official authorisation.
Purchase, possession and use of CBD in Vietnam
Once inside the country, CBD law in Vietnam remains strict.
- Purchase, sale, manufacture, transport: Prohibited and generally punishable under the Criminal Code, including provisions on unlawful trade or transport of controlled substances. (vbpl.vn)
- Possession: Unlawful possession of controlled substances is punishable. Depending on the circumstances and the quantity, administrative sanctions may also apply.
- Use: Vietnam takes a strict approach to drug use. Even the discovery of CBD extract products can be treated as possession of a controlled substance.
| Activity | Status in Vietnam | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Import of CBD oil/extract/vapes/cosmetics | Prohibited | Applies regardless of THC content; classified as cannabis extracts. |
| Possession/purchase/sale | Prohibited/punishable | Criminal Code 2015 as amended 2017; outcome depends on quantity and circumstances. |
| Use | Not permitted | Risk of criminal and administrative measures. |
| Domestic shipping/online orders | Prohibited | Counts as trade and transport of controlled substances. |
| Carrying “medical CBD” privately | Very high risk | No clear exemption without official authorisation. |
Common misconceptions about CBD legality in Vietnam
- “THC‑free means it is legal.” Incorrect. What matters is classification as an extract of the cannabis plant, not a laboratory value or marketing claim. (vbpl.vn)
- “If I bought it in the EU, it is fine everywhere.” Incorrect. EU law does not apply in Vietnam. The CJEU has indeed not classified CBD as a narcotic in the EU context (Case C‑663/18 “Kanavape”), but this is not binding on Vietnamese authorities. (aoshearman.com)
- “A certificate of analysis (COA) protects me.” Only to a very limited extent. A COA may document THC content – but in Vietnam the cannabis extract itself is prohibited. A COA therefore neither prevents confiscation nor proceedings; it can in fact confirm the connection to cannabis. (vbpl.vn)
Practical tips for travellers to Vietnam
- Leave CBD at home: Do not bring any CBD products into Vietnam – including when merely transiting through a Vietnamese airport.
- Plan alternatives: Anyone using CBD for health‑related reasons should speak to their doctor before travelling about non‑cannabis‑based options and, where permitted, carry products that do not derive from cannabis.
- If you still choose to carry a COA: It may be useful in other countries only. In Vietnam it has no legalising effect; be prepared for confiscation. (vbpl.vn)
- Avoid “hemp shops” and informal offers: There is no regulated CBD retail market. Apparent CBD or “hemp” offers are legally risky.
- Emergency contacts: In serious situations, contact your consulate or embassy and request a local lawyer. Insist on an interpreter if you do not speak Vietnamese.
Are there regional differences in CBD law within Vietnam?
Vietnam is a unitary state; drug laws apply nationwide. There are no provincial or city‑level exemptions for CBD or hemp products. Local enforcement practice may vary, but the prohibitions themselves do not. (vbpl.vn)
International context: how Vietnam differs
In 2018 the WHO noted that pure cannabidiol does not appear to have dependence or abuse potential. At the same time, WHO guidance emphasises that national legislators regulate independently. The CJEU (C‑663/18) did not classify CBD as a narcotic within the EU internal market.
None of this changes Vietnam’s national prohibitions on cannabis extracts. Vietnamese law on CBD focuses on origin from the cannabis plant, not on international debates about CBD as such. (who.int, aoshearman.com)
Practical relevance: Even if CBD is legal in some European or other countries, import and handling in Vietnam remain prohibited.
CBD legality in Vietnam is independent of WHO and EU positions: national drug schedules list cannabis extracts and THC, and those listings determine how CBD products are treated.
Checklist: Am I allowed to…? (CBD rules in Vietnam)
| Plan | Vietnam | Reason / source |
|---|---|---|
| Bring CBD oil (from hemp) in my luggage | No | Listed as a cannabis extract; import prohibited. Decree 57/2022 · Decree 90/2024 |
| CBD vape/cartridge in hand luggage | No | Treated in the same way as extracts. Primary source |
| Buy CBD cosmetics | No | No legal market for cannabis extracts. Primary source |
| Consume “THC‑free” CBD gummies | No | Origin as a cannabis extract is decisive, not the THC value. Primary source |
| Bring a CBD‑containing medicine (e.g. Epidyolex) with a prescription | Only with special permission | High risk of confiscation without official approval or authorisation. Luật 73/2021/QH14 |
Legal and safety notice
This article is for information purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Enforcement practice can change; check current rules before each trip and, if in doubt, seek advice from a lawyer qualified in Vietnam. The Vietnamese original texts and their official interpretation are decisive. (vbpl.vn)
Primary sources: Luật 73/2021/QH14 · Nghị định 73/2018/NĐ‑CP · Nghị định 57/2022/NĐ‑CP · Nghị định 90/2024/NĐ‑CP · Bộ luật Hình sự 2015/2017 · Nghị định 144/2021/NĐ‑CP.
Further reading on the EU context: WHO information on CBD and CJEU “Kanavape” (C‑663/18). (who.int, aoshearman.com)