Is Weed Legal in Vietnam?

Cannabis is illegal in Vietnam for every purpose. The plant sits on the Schedule I narcotics list maintained by the Ministry of Public Security, and recreational and medical use are both prohibited under the 2015 Penal Code (as amended in 2017) and the Law on Drug Prevention and Control, Law No. 73/2021/QH14, which took effect 1 January 2022.

Penalties scale by weight and escalate fast. Possession of cannabis resin, oil, or concentrate triggers Article 249 of the Penal Code, with prison terms running from two years to life. Trafficking, production, and cross-border transport fall under Articles 248, 250, and 251. The death penalty applies to trafficking 5 kilograms or more of cannabis resin, or 75 kilograms or more of marijuana leaves, stems, or seeds, under Article 251. Smaller quantities still draw years of imprisonment, and foreign nationals receive no leniency. Vietnamese courts have prosecuted tourists, expatriates, and dual citizens caught with personal-use amounts.

There is no licensed medical cannabis program. Doctors cannot prescribe THC-containing products, pharmacies cannot dispense them, and patients cannot import them for personal use. Police conduct random urine testing at venues and roadside checkpoints, and a positive result can support a criminal investigation.

This page is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Verify current law with qualified counsel before making compliance decisions.